Dual Channel Memory

[Radeon962]

I am looking to upgrade my second machine to 1GB of PC3200. I have 512MB (2x256MB) in 2 of the four slots currently and they are a matched pair. If I buy another 512MB (2x256MB) do they have to match the other pair?? If not, is there a performance hit or is it negligable?? Just wondering if I should go the cheaper route of adding 512MB rather than switching to a matched pair of 2x512MB sticks. I don't intend to go higher in this machine than 1GB so the argument of largest sticks doesn't matter here.

This is for a Dell Dimension 4700, so I don't know the mobo type, but it does have 4 memory slots and supports dual channel memory and is a 865PE chipset based board.

Thanks, Bill

 

[hkfriends]

yes, In ASUS A8N SLI, I try 4 pieces of 256x4 = 1GB. Using the same brand & spec for each channel.
ie. Same pair for Blue RAM Slot, and the other pair for Black RAM Slot

The drawback for 4 pieces: it can't go higher FSB for O/C. When I use 4 pieces of A-DATA DDR600, it only reach 250 FSB, but when using 2 pieces, it can go up to 295 FSB.

 

[Radeon962]

So as long as you have matched pairs in the separate channels, rather than trying to match all four sticks, there should not be an issue? I don't OC the Dell so I'm not worried about the ability of the 4 sticks to get to higher speeds than what they are rated for. I'm just looking to add 2 additional 256MB sticks of PC3200 and run it with the existing 2 sticks of 256MB for a total of 1GB memory.

I doubt if I can match the memory in the machine now as it is Dell branded and they want about $200 for 2 x 256MB sticks of PC3200.

Thanks, Bill

 

[Radeon962]

Alright, let me see if I phrase the question another way...

If I have 2 channels (2 pairs of different colored DIMM slots) do I need to run 2 matched pairs (4 sticks total) in all four slots or can I just run one matched pair in one channel and another matched pair (not necessarily matching the original pair) in the other channel??

Bill

 

[SunSamurai]

no they dont have to match.

 

[mechBgon]

or can I just run one matched pair in one channel, and another matched pair (not necessarily matching the original pair) in the other channel??

This setup will work in dual-channel mode on an Intel 865/875-based board, yep. I would get some using Crucial's memory configurator in this instance, so you have iron-clad assurance that if it has any hiccups, you can get it handled at their expense, because your Dell won't let you relax memory timings or raise voltages like some botique RAM might be wanting on i865/i875.

 

[Radeon962]

Thanks, I just checked out Crucial and may have to research that further.

Sounds like I'll be lookng for another set of 2x256MB sticks.

Thanks again, Bill