Help with memory upgrade

[AzuthZero]

Ok, here's the deal. I am currently running a 2500+ Athlon XP @ 180FSB (motherboard won't overclock any higher ) on an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe Rev 1.4 with 2x256MB OCZ PC3200 @ 2-3-3-6 timings. The thing is, I find that 512MB isn't cutting it for a lot of online games, so I was planning to upgrade to 1GB.

The catch is that I'm a college student ( college is so expensive ) with very little money and no current job (hopefully getting one soon but the money is pretty much devoted to next years tuition) so I can't afford to put much money into anything expensive right now. However, I've seen some really cheap generic 512MB PC3200 sticks out there.

Basically what I'm asking is if I can mix memory manufacturers, and will the timings automatically go to the slowest setting? Also, will it run in dual channel mode?

Thanks

 

[ts3433]

It may run in dual channel, though it will provide no performance increase over single channel unless you use NF2 IGP integrated video. Don't fret if it has to run single channel.

Timings should all be at the slowest setting automatically.

I'd suggest getting something a little above generic, something like Corsair Value Select, at $70 for a 512MB stick. Also consider selling off your OCZ and getting another stick of that if you think you may want to carry this RAM over to a future rig.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: AzuthZero

Basically what I'm asking is if I can mix memory manufacturers, and will the timings automatically go to the slowest setting? Also, will it run in dual channel mode?

Thanks

Yes. The MB will default to the slowest RAM modules timings. As long as you have two RAM sticks, you shouldn't have any problems running in dual channel.

The performance gains are minimal, but that board will automatically run in dual channel if you put one stick in the blue slot, and one stick in the black slot. .