Should I buy 2x256MB or 2x512MB?

[Lexxus]

I'm in kind of a tricky situation and I'm not too up-to-date on how RAM works so bear with me on this one:

Currently, I have two A-DATA 256MB PC3600-sticks, thus 512 MB in total. However, this isn't enough so I'm thinking about buying more memory. Here are my alternatives as I see it:

* Buy two new 512MB PC3200 sticks, 1024MB in total, (I didn't know when I bought the computer that PC3600 is totally unnecessary on my motherboard) and remove the two old sticks.

* Buy two new 512MB PC3200 sticks and combine them with the existing sticks, thus 2x512MB PC3200 + 2x256MB PC3600.

* Buy two new 256 MB PC3200 sticks and combine them with the existing sticks, thus 2x256MB PC3200 + 2x256MB PC3600.

I have heard that four sticks can slow down the total memory to 333MHz and that you can't use Dual Channel with two different sticks... I'm a little confused.

Here are my specs:
ABIT AI7
Pentium 4 2.8GHz HT 800MHZ FSB HT
A-DATA 2x256MB PC3600
Club3D Radeon 9800Pro
Western Digital Caviar XL+ 120GB

By the way, I don't intend to overclock anything.

Thanks

 

[MustISO]

I would try and sell your current memory and get a cheap set of PC3200 2x512MB dual channel ram.

These would be fine:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144513
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145449

 

[KillerPotato]

I would think it would be best to take out the two old ones and put the 2 new sticks of 512 in dual channel if you can.

 

[hippotautamus]

Having four sticks is only a problem with AMD cpus, and you have an intel so you could. However, intel mobos benefit from dual channel, so get two 512s and replace the old ones.

 

[Lexxus]

So is it true that combining different sticks doesn't work well? I'm wondering because if I am going to buy two 512mb sticks anyway, I might as well throw them in there with the existing sticks to get more total memory.

 

[Lexxus]

Anyone?

 

[cryptonomicon]

Originally posted by: Lexxus
So is it true that combining different sticks doesn't work well? I'm wondering because if I am going to buy two 512mb sticks anyway, I might as well throw them in there with the existing sticks to get more total memory.

There is a deal for corsair 2x512mb Dual channel kit for $84 from newegg i think. You should just buy that or something for now and decide what to do with the 2x256 later.

I dont know much about intel as for getting the other 256x2 to work in addition to the 2x512. But honestly I doubt you would need 1.5GB of memory, It sounds appealing, but in most practical settings I doubt you would need it.

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: cryptonomicon

Originally posted by: Lexxus
So is it true that combining different sticks doesn't work well? I'm wondering because if I am going to buy two 512mb sticks anyway, I might as well throw them in there with the existing sticks to get more total memory.

There is a deal for corsair 2x512mb Dual channel kit for $84 from newegg i think. You should just buy that or something for now and decide what to do with the 2x256 later.

I dont know much about intel as for getting the other 256x2 to work in addition to the 2x512. But honestly I doubt you would need 1.5GB of memory, It sounds appealing, but in most practical settings I doubt you would need it.

The man is right. I have currently 1.5 gigs and I expected some huge increase and there wasn't one. In fact, my system runs just the same. I was curious about why this was and got the answer in another thread I made in Highly Technical.

Apparently Windows doesn't use RAM for caching as much as OS X, so while I need at least a gig on my Mac workstation, on my home PC for video editing purposes even though it's GOOD to have the RAM, Windows doesn't take advantage of it. Windows uses the HDD cache rather than the RAM cache. Kind of sucks actually, but I'm not gonna pay 3x per part just to get a Mac.

I suggest selling off your current sticks for $125 or so (I don't know prices on PC3600) and getting the Corsair Value Dual Channel Kit.

 

[Lexxus]

Great! Thanks everyone for the help.