Is mixing RAM still a no-no in this day and age?

[Scouzer]

I haven't done anything with desktops for years, so I'm a bit out of the loop. I've got an old stick of Patriot 1GB PC2-5300 I'd like to plop into my HTPC. Unfortunately, my HTPC has a generic stick of PC2-5300 512MB... will they play nice? Or is it still like the old days where they may play nice, but probably not...?

 

[taltamir]

it will probably play nice, but sometimes wont.

 

[Spikesoldier]

stock speeds = industry standard, guaranteed to work.
overclocked = ymmv.

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
stock speeds = industry standard, guaranteed to work.
overclocked = ymmv.

It'd definitely be stock, it's an old Compaq piece of crap I use as an HTPC

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
stock speeds = industry standard, guaranteed to work.
overclocked = ymmv.

well... i have seen some cases where it doesn't. but its rare and usually on sub par brands of memory and mobo.

 

[ss284]

Just try it, can't really hurt.

 

[jhansman]

I called OCZ to see if two models of their RAM, both rated at 4-4-4-15, would play nice together. I was told not to do it, as the ICs for each line are different and even though they were rated the same, I would be inviting problems.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: jhansman
I called OCZ to see if two models of their RAM, both rated at 4-4-4-15, would play nice together. I was told not to do it, as the ICs for each line are different and even though they were rated the same, I would be inviting problems.

that is because they sell overpriced "sets" that you can buy. They have official guys in various forums too giving this same bad advice to people, telling them to just "save the effort and just pay 5$ more for a set" (except in reality it is 30% on more... which comes out to more than 5$).

Anyways, look to the experts for answers, not the marketing departments.

 

[Elixer]

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
stock speeds = industry standard, guaranteed to work.
overclocked = ymmv.

It'd definitely be stock, it's an old Compaq piece of crap I use as an HTPC

What motherboard is it? Just how old we talking about?

 

[sxr7171]

NM