Newb upgrading RAM

[mbesto]

Here is my current setup:
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 Winchester 3000+ 1GHz FSB 1800MHz
Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo4-F nForce 4
Memory: 2x512 MB of Corsair PC 3200 DDR
Video Card: Leadtek 6600 GT 128MB GDDR3 PCIx16 Nvidia
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 80.0 GB @ 7200 RPMS

I mainly play WoW and do a little bit of photoshop, dreamweaver, etc.

Buddy of mine is upgrading and is selling me his RAM. It's 1GB (2x512) of Corsair XMS Link Here. My current RAM is 1GB (2x512 MB) Corsair pc3200 Value Select. Link Here

I guess what I'm trying to find out is:
Is it okay to use different RAM for my 2 empty slots? If so, does it matter which set (the 2x512mb) is in which slot (other than setting it up so that each set is setup for dual-channel), basically does it matter which set is in the first 2 slots as opposed to the next 2 slots? In general is this a worthy upgrade?

Thanks in advance!

p.s.
Feel free to get techy with me. I'm a newb when it comes to having experience with hardware steup, but I understand concepts of performance pretty well.

 

[savvy]

It's best not to mix, I hear.

 

[Twsmit]

Ideally you don't want to mix ram, but I think in your case the benefits FAR outway any potential problems. They are both good quality corsair ram, just make sure to run them at a speed the Value is comfortable at, and you will be fine. Just keep in mind with a winchester, your CPU will drop to DDR333 2T speed, thought it shouldnt affect performance very much at all.

 

[Bobthelost]

It's fine. Go for it.

Dig out your motherboard manuals, it'll have the RAM slots in pairs, you want to keep the value RAM in Slots A+B and the XMS in Slots X+Y. Normally they'll be colour coded on the motherboard, keep the value stuff in one colour and the xms in another. This means you've got more chance of it running in dual channel.

Other than that it should be pretty much plug and play.

 

[mbesto]

sounds good guys! thanks very much...so many helpful people here!!