Mixing Crucial Stix

[Pwntcomputer]

I know it's generally discouraged, but what do you guys think? I would manually set the timings, voltage and other specs. I am stocking up on some cheap ram before Penryn. I can't use a rebate on the same modules, but I really like crucial as a company. What do you guys think? Thanks!

 

[NickelPlate]

Why is it generally discouraged? As long as they're running at the same speed how does it affect performance? Not to hijack your thread here OP, just curious that's all .

 

[yacoub]

Well if you game it may cause problems as that is often where different RAM can cause errors since it is most allocated and utilized by one program at the same time. Also you'd be running a full four sticks so that may cause its own problems on some boards.

 

[aigomorla]

dont you lose the dual channel aspect when you do this?

 

[NickelPlate]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
dont you lose the dual channel aspect when you do this?

Not as long as you run matched pairs in each bank.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture

 

[Lemon law]

The point be the ram runs at best at the slowest speed of any stick in the system---so you gain nothing by buying faster and more expensive ram. And if you don't believe me, go to the overclocking forums and ask---but in general rule one is never mix ram.

Playing with the bios is more black art rather than cut and dried science---and mixing ram just increases the degree of difficulty.

And given that the OP already has two gigs, going to 4 gigs memory will probably force a significant downclock of the ram on many mobo's. In certain gaming apps where ram speed is
critical, that downclock could prove fatal in gameplay. And there is also like a 3.25 gig memory limit with a 32 bit OS. So my advice is the OP would be---do mucho research to find out if such a ram increase will even benefit you.

 

[The-Noid]

The crucial sticks have the same ic's. Flash the SPD from the PC2-8000 onto the PC2-5300 and run in dual channel. It is a pretty easy process if you need help, please pm me and I Can get it done for you.

 

[Xvys]

Crucial 667 and 1000 are likely the same Micron D9 chips anyway and will probably clock similarily, although considering the extra cost of the 1000 you might hope these chips have at least been "binned" with the the 1000 oc'ing a bit higher.