I have three sticks of 512 and one 256

[13Gigatons]

I have a machine with 1Gig DDR ( 2x512) I also have one stick of 256 and get one stick of 512 which would be 1792 total.

Would this work in dual channel mode or does it require that the second set both be 512 ?

I've never tried this before so I don't know if it would just crash a lot or maybe ignore the extra 256.

512 = 1
512 = 2
512 = 3
256 = 4

???

 

[JustaGeek]

It will NOT work in Dual Channel - you need PAIRS of RAM modules for that.

Ex., 2 x 512 + 2 x 1024, or 2 x 256 + 2 x 512, etc.

Extra memory might help though, even in single channel, depending on your applications/games.

Try it, and if there is no "stuttering" in games, you should be OK.

Or just get a pair of sticks for Dual Channel operation, if the performance suffers.

Good luck!

 

[13Gigatons]

Thanks that is what I figured....at least with AMD gear. I believe Intel has some flex memory deal that would handle it differently.

 

[TheChort]

I have a similar question, thought I'd bump this thread instead of making a new one.
Don't know much about hardware, so please dumb things down for me 😱

I have 4 slots on my motherboard, they look like they're arranged 2 + 2 ... "II II"
I have 1gig of ram. 2 x 512, and it's arranged 1 in each of the dual slots... "Ii Ii"
I also know that the ram is DDR2 (got the PC from dell less than 2 years ago)

Can I add a 1gig card to this arrangement? What about 2 x 1gig?

edit: btw, I read JustaGeek's response, and I feel like I'm supposed to put the 512's in the same two-slot area, and the 1gig's in the other two slots. But I'd appreciate it if someone could restate that just so i can be sure 🙂

 

[JustaGeek]

CPU-Z will tell you if you are currently running in Dual Channel.

The easiest way to understand the concept is to remember that 2 identical RAM modules (identical in size, voltage, timings - ideally purchased as a pair of sticks) must be installed in same-colored slots.

Usually one slot is "skipped" in the process, e.g. you install one pair in slots 1 and 3, and the other pair in slots 2 and 4.

Example: you put 2 x 512MB modules in yellow slots, and 2 x 1GB sticks in black slots.

Or 2 x 1GB modules in orange slots, and 2 x 256MB modules in blue slots.

Again, for Dual Channel operation, you need an even number of RAM sticks in multiples of 2.

But all of them on the same motherboard MUST have the same frequency, timings and voltage ratings, so the easiest way is to obtain it from the same manufacturer (look at my sig).

Hope this helps.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
CPU-Z will tell you if you are currently running in Dual Channel.

The easiest way to understand the concept is to remember that 2 identical RAM modules (identical in size, voltage, timings - ideally purchased as a pair of sticks) must be installed in same-colored slots.

Usually one slot is "skipped" in the process, e.g. you install one pair in slots 1 and 3, and the other pair in slots 2 and 4.

Example: you put 2 x 512MB modules in yellow slots, and 2 x 1GB sticks in black slots.

Or 2 x 1GB modules in orange slots, and 2 x 256MB modules in blue slots.

Again, for Dual Channel operation, you need an even number of RAM sticks in multiples of 2.

But all of them on the same motherboard MUST have the same frequency, timings and voltage ratings, so the easiest way is to obtain it from the same manufacturer (look at my sig).

Hope this helps.

ok, so using cpu-z (thanks 😉) i find...

Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE00000000000000)
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
Part number M3 78T6553CZ3-CE6
Serial number F40C546A
Manufacturing date Week 52/Year 05

According to what you said (or at least what I understood), I would have to buy another card with PC2-5300 (333 MHz).

Is it worth buying something with the same stats, or would I be better off tossing these out in the upgrade?
edit: i realize the question above is relative, so let me add, that paying $100 for 2gigs of ram is within my price range.

 

[JustaGeek]

It is up to you to decide if you want to dispose of perfectly good memory.

It all depends on your applications, and mainly on your perception.

If your games are stuttering, and you have the top of the line CPU and the top of the line Video Card, then perhaps your slower RAM is holding you back.

Otherwise - just add the same speed memory. PC2-5300, or DDR2 667MHz is not the slowest memory out there.

Personally, I would keep it.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
It is up to you to decide if you want to dispose of perfectly good memory.

It all depends on your applications, and mainly on your perception.

If your games are stuttering, and you have the top of the line CPU and the top of the line Video Card, then perhaps your slower RAM is holding you back.

Otherwise - just add the same speed memory. PC2-5300, or DDR2 667MHz is not the slowest memory out there.

Personally, I would keep it.

Sounds good. I guess I'll be holding on to it then.
It's not so much for the gaming I wanted it for, since the only game I play is Diablo II 😛.
But I found a new hobby, that unfortunately required considerably more memory ... photography

thank you sir ... you've been really helpful 🙂

 

[JustaGeek]

You're most welcome.

Your RAM is more than sufficient for Diablo II.

As to your new hobby, just add more 667MHz memory.

And if you ever decide that you want 4GB or more, seriously consider a 64-bit OS.

Good luck!