Mixed Corsair RAM = BAD. Help?

[ascian5]

I have been running 1gb (512x2) of Corsair TWINX XMS PC3200LLPT memory in my machine for sometime now, love the stuff. However I had the infamous Battlefield 2 problems and some wants for speed in other areas so I decided to up the ol' RAM count to 2gig. Instead of purchasing from a retailer I went the E-bay route and like a dolt didn't pay attention to what I was getting. I ended up with another gig of TWINX1024-3200C2PT instead of my precious (and expensive) LL series.

When I boot up, my memory defaults to DDR200, running at 100mhz speeds. I can set to 2T timings on my motherbaord and get to DDR266, but i cannot get this stuff to run at DDR400 with my other RAM. I tried turning down the timings, adding some more voltage, nada. I'm really wanting to just see if the seller will allow me to return the memory, sans shipping cost or something, but is there a way I can make this mesh? When I try and turn the clock speed up, or adjust the timings in anyway my computer will not boot. I either get an invalid system disk error, or it says it cna't find a floppy drive of all things and i have to reset everything to defaults in my BIOS. Quite annoying also.

I have yet to see if this memory would be compatible with my motherboard, but otherwise it would be cheaper to just buy another gig of this stuff than my LL series. The LL series is rated at 2-3-3-6 timings i believe, with the C2PT at 2-2-2-5. Bottom line I want 2GB of RAM, I'm not keen on spending $300 to double up at this point in time.

What to do? Thanks for any insight and helpful replies. And yes, I am an idiot and knew better.

applicable shtuff:

a64 3500+ venice core
msi neo2 platinum

(ram stated above)

 

[FlyingPenguin]

You should go here and confirm you're using the correct timing settings for TWINX XMS RAM on your mobo: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/showthread.php?t=38150

If your mobo isn't listed yet, do a search in this forum for your mobo and see if anyone's posted recommended timings: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/forumdisp...9d2852da929ed1d2abd4952150f00ec8&f=128

Modern mobs are very fussy about RAM timing. It's never a good idea to mix and match memory. Moreover a modern dual channel mobo is much more stable with only 2 sticks. I wouldn't put 4 sticks in a gaming rig. I'd only put 4 sticks in a business workstation and set the ram timing very conservative.

You're better off buying two matched 1Gb sticks and selling all the old sticks once you know the new stuff is stable, MAKE SURE to use Corsair's online memory configurator to get the memory that's PROPERLY MATCHED for your mobo: http://compatible.corsairmemory.com/Default.aspx

Hope this helps...

 

[ascian5]

I think you hit the nail right on the head there with the 2 stick solution. I'm going to do exactly that. Guess it's time to do a little memory research on what will do me right and sell these guys off. Thanks for the suggestion.