How will running 2 ddr400 and 2 ddr266 simultaneously in a system affect computer performance?

[jaffa]

My mobo has 4 dimm sockets and can run ddr266, 333 and 400mhz.

Currently I use two 512mb ddr400 modules.

However I also have two 256mb ddr266 mhz modules in another system.

Now I of course wonder what will happen to my computer's performance if I add the two slower modules to my system.

Will I benefit from adding the slower modules as far as performance in fps games is concerned?

I guess I will get 1.5-1.6gb ram instead but will the slower modules force my 400mhz modules to run at a slower speed?

Hope for some answers...

 

[Bobthelost]

If you dont' use more than 1GB of RAM then it will not help out in any way shape or form.

The symptom of not enough ram is the game lagging or stuttering a bit as it uses the HD swap file. Other than that second or so (assuming you do use more than 1GB) there will be no increase in fps when you're gaming if you increase the amount of RAM availible.

The slower modules will force your faster modules to run at 266mhz. While A64s aren't all that bandwidth hungry i suspect you're looking at a notable decrease in performance. There is no reason you can't try it, but i doubt it's a good idea.

 

[Aluvus]

It depends on what processor you have.

Yes, all the memory will be drug down to the speed of the slowest memory.

 

[Mavrick007]

For the minimal amount of extra ram in this case, I would suggest not attempting to add the other 2 sticks of ram to your system.

First, you will be limited to the speed of the slowest sticks (ie the PC2100 ram), some mobos have compatibility problems with 4 sticks, and if it's an AMD based machine especially, you may be limited to slower 2T command rate which would make performance even worse.

If you want to upgrade your ram, unfortunately I would say stay with the 1Gig of ram for now, or get 2 x 1Gig sticks if you want more ram. The extra 512megs in your above scenario would be more problem than it's worth and give you less performance than you're getting now.

 

[F1shF4t]

Originally posted by: Mavrick007
For the minimal amount of extra ram in this case, I would suggest not attempting to add the other 2 sticks of ram to your system.

First, you will be limited to the speed of the slowest sticks (ie the PC2100 ram), some mobos have compatibility problems with 4 sticks, and if it's an AMD based machine especially, you may be limited to slower 2T command rate which would make performance even worse.

If you want to upgrade your ram, unfortunately I would say stay with the 1Gig of ram for now, or get 2 x 1Gig sticks if you want more ram. The extra 512megs in your above scenario would be more problem than it's worth and give you less performance than you're getting now.

T2 mas no major effect. Biggest problem is that the memory will be forced to run at lower speed. But if u do use more than 1 gig that extra ram will improove performance, for example on my comp call of duty uses more than 1 gig so since i have 2 gig i'm fine.

In this situation it better to try it out and see if there is an improovement that u see, if not just remove the added modules.

 

[zest]

They won't.


You cannot mix different speed!

Your board Will probably run them at default 533.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: zest
Your board Will probably run them at default 533.

The memory would not be run at that speed, no.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: zest
They won't.


You cannot mix different speed!

Your board Will probably run them at default 533.

You're thinking DDR2 i think

 

[zest]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: zest
They won't.


You cannot mix different speed!

Your board Will probably run them at default 533.

You're thinking DDR2 i think

Yeh....
Sorry should ave read the original post more closly....