How much will slow RAM affect my system?

[OzzieGT]

I have an AthlonXP 1900+ with 2x256 DDR 266 right now. I want to upgrade to a 3000+ venice...how badly will this affect my system performance? What if I mixed it with 2x512 or 2x256 of DDR400?

 

[Cheesetogo]

It will not damage your performance to bad, as long as you run a divider; if you don't, the venice will be forced to lower the speed of the proccesor to match the memory. If you put in DDR400 with it, it will just downclock to DDR266. It would be best just to get a 2x512 and then get rid of your current memory.

 

[OzzieGT]

Thanks this thread really enlightened me that I might not need to upgrade as badly as I thought. But I really want 1GB of ram for Battlefield 2 so I guess I will end up upgrading anyway and selling my old RAM on the cheap.

What is a divider?

 

[aatf510]

A divider is a setting in BIOS that let you runs your memory and CPU FSB at different clockspeed. e.g. a 4:3 divider lets your run your FSB(HTT) @ 200MHz and 150MHz for your memory.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

buy the 1gb Corsair thats hanging out in the hot deals forum. Bad for OCing but its pc3200 which is perfect for amd64's

 

[OzzieGT]

Thanks guys...the corsair is exactly what I was considering. I might buy it now before the prices go up more.