Need to add memory, is match memory neccessary?

[techwanabe]

I've been running a single 512 mb stick of DDR memory on an Epox 8RDA+ motherboard system (Athlon XP2500+ Barton). It is evident that I could use more memory.

First of all, since I have one stick, I'm not running in "dual channel" mode now. What is absolutely required for that kind of operation assuming I add another stick. Is brand important? or should I just get another stick of 512 mb PC3200 mem (same general specs as my current stick).

I've been told that duel channel really only makes a significant difference anyway with onboard video (shared) which isn't the case with me anyway.

Bottom line - is duel channel really that great? Do I need it and what is required for it?

Comments?

 

[Slowlearner]

I am using the same board with 2 sticks of 256mb. Dual channel is no big deal, and speed difference is not noticeable. Another stick similar to the one you have should work fine - I have used dissimilar sticks on other pcs without any problems. Though with current prices being quite reasonable why not put in new matched memory sticks. Just check the mobo manual for correct placement.

 

[Bobthelost]

You should be able to get 2 sticks of similar (but non identical RAM) to work in dual channel, if it doesn't then it's not worth worrying over as you'll still see an improvement going to 1GB.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: Slowlearner
I am using the same board with 2 sticks of 256mb. Dual channel is no big deal, and speed difference is not noticeable. Another stick similar to the one you have should work fine - I have used dissimilar sticks on other pcs without any problems. Though with current prices being quite reasonable why not put in new matched memory sticks. Just check the mobo manual for correct placement.

Not worth the cost of buying a match set of 2 sticks (1 gb total) for a computer almost 3 years old IMHO.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[jdkick]

If you intend to use them in dual-channel mode then ideally, you would want to purchase a matched DIMM.

 

[batmanuel]

In my old NF2 computer (which I'm in the process of parting out over in FS/FT), I had a 512MB stick of Kingston PC3200 ValueRAM and another cheap 512MB stick of PQI PC3200 value RAM running in dual channel with no hiccups.

Before I upgraded my processor from a 2000+ to a 2500+ and got rid of my PC2100 sticks, I even at one point was running dual channel with 2x256MB sticks in the pair of slots that make up one channel and a single 512MB stick in the other channel, and none of the brands matched. Usually, you can't do this, but with the weird dual channel setup on the NF2 boards, you could actually use all three slots and still run dual channel as long as the amount of RAM in both channels matched up.

The NF2 chipset is quite forgiving when it comes to mismatched pairs. As for s939 Athlons and Intel dual channel boards, I'm not sure how forgiving they are, though.