Thinking of adding 4GB kit

[BassBomb]

Will a 4gb (2gb x 2 ) kit work with a 2gb (1gb x 2 ) kit?

P5K-E motherboard, want to use both kits in tandem and retain dual channel..

so it will look something like

2GB 1GB - 2GB 1GB -

 

[katank]

Yes. You may need to bump NB voltage a bit though.

 

[Denithor]

What OS are you using?

If XP32 just add the 2x2GB alone as your RAM is capped at 4GB total - including any on a video card, etc (so with 4GB installed you probably will have access to 3.25-3.5GB).

If 64-bit Vista (or some Linux distro) go ahead and install the whole 6GB and enjoy a much higher level of performance.

Try the RAM first without a voltage boost, only do that if necessary (if the system won't boot or is unstable with the full 6GB installed).

Higher voltage = more heat = faster component degradation

 

[Blain]

Give yourself the Best Chance at compatability, and buy the same spec'd memory.

For example:
You're using a 2GB Mushkin 996527 kit now.
Buy the same spec'd 4GB Mushkin 996557 kit

Common specifications are > Mushkin, Cas 5, Speed DDR2 800, Timings 5-5-5-12, Voltage 1.8v

Sure you can try to mix & match different spec'd DIMMs, but you run a greater chance of posting a "Help me..." thread.

 

[BassBomb]

I know about matching speeds, timings and the OS issue.

I have an OCZ 2GB kit and the 4GB kit had matching timings

 

[Blain]

"OCZ"...
Of all the brands you could have used. :roll:

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Blain
"OCZ"...
Of all the brands you could have used. :roll:

It was cheap, there is nothing wrong with OCZ

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: Blain
"OCZ"...
Of all the brands you could have used. :roll:

Yeah, what a jerk, using OCZ mdoules...😕

Also, I don't see why the OP would need to bump up NB levels unless he/she was overclocking (which I don't see any indication of).

Get matching speeds, or even better, get a kit that uses the same voltage with the same timings.

OCZ, along with Mushkin, Corsair, and Kingston have RAM ranging from value-level to enthusiast level. There seems to be a very anti-OCZ mentality of late; not sure why.

 

[Blain]

OCZ got started building their reputation for "quality" many years ago.

I've been a member of AT for a long time. After reading many posts and reviews, I've formed an opinion of OCZ components...

IMO > They tend to be of average quality, flashy, not particularly robust, overpriced on one hand yet rebated down on the other.
That's my opinion, yours may be the total opposite. :roll:


BTW, I'm still conflicted about PC Power & Cooling merging with OCZ. 🙁

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: Blain
OCZ got started building their reputation for "quality" many years ago.

I've been a member of AT for a long time. After reading many posts and reviews, I've formed an opinion of OCZ components...

IMO > They tend to be of average quality, flashy, not particularly robust, overpriced on one hand yet rebated down on the other.
That's my opinion, yours may be the total opposite. :roll:


BTW, I'm still conflicted about PC Power & Cooling merging with OCZ. 🙁

I agree with you on some points, but I think their biggest "mistake" in regards to their reputation was entering the value market. Their high-quality stuff is still very good, but I think people sometimes think any "OCZ" product is high-end. Which it is not.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: Blain
OCZ got started building their reputation for "quality" many years ago.

I've been a member of AT for a long time. After reading many posts and reviews, I've formed an opinion of OCZ components...

IMO > They tend to be of average quality, flashy, not particularly robust, overpriced on one hand yet rebated down on the other.
That's my opinion, yours may be the total opposite. :roll:


BTW, I'm still conflicted about PC Power & Cooling merging with OCZ. 🙁

I think that's giving them too much credit.

I had a 2x1GB DDR2-667 Gold kit that would only boot on two of nine motherboards tested (and those two were after fighting for it with BIOS updates & voltage tweaks). I also (recently) got the "SLI" 2x2GB DDR2-800 kit and had similar problems, the sticks booted fine in one motherboard but refused to boot in two others. So I've given them two chances and won't give them a third as it's just too much potential trouble.

On the other hand, I've used memory from Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin and G.Skill with few problems over the years (Mushkin & G.Skill remain favorites due to zero issues).