Is it worth mixing memory?

times_champion · 16 Aug 2009 at 14:57

I currently have 2gb PCR2-5200 RAM (4x512mb) in my system, but am planning on buying an upgrade package that comes with 2gb PC2-6400 (2x1gb) and im wondering whether it worth mixing the 2? I have XP so I believe I cant have more than 3gb, but I was wondering whether it would be worth having the 2 1gb faster sticks running dual channel, and then 2 512mb sticks of the slower RAM in the other 2 slots? That would give me 3gb, but would I be better off doing this and slowing the lot down, or just having 2gb of 6400? Or I suppose I could buy another 2 sticks of 6400 512mb RAM!

Ross1234 · 16 Aug 2009 at 14:58

Is this for a laptop or desktop?

Just buy 2x2gb and be done with it

times_champion · 16 Aug 2009 at 14:59

desktop. I thought XP could only nadle 3gb though?

Ross1234 · 16 Aug 2009 at 14:59

Yeah it can if its 32bit which i most likely is, but that doesnt mean you cant put more in.

times_champion · 16 Aug 2009 at 15:07

But if it was a choice between 2gb of 6400 ram, or 2gb of 6400 and 1gb of 5200, which would be best?

Ross1234 · 16 Aug 2009 at 15:08

Probably the 3gb.

times_champion · 16 Aug 2009 at 15:17

Thanks - I will probably scrap my 512mb sticks and get 1gb of 6400 RAM to go with the other 2 new ones.

coupe69 · 16 Aug 2009 at 16:08

I'd use the 2 new 1gb sticks with 2x512mb of the old sticks for a total of 3gb, at least this way the memory will still be running in dual channel.

times_champion · 16 Aug 2009 at 16:12

Thanks - Im a Coupe by the way (mark coupe) and i live in staffs!

Ross1234 · 16 Aug 2009 at 16:15

I htink the faster memory is more important than Dual Channel, (If it will be running at its rated speed)

coupe69 · 16 Aug 2009 at 16:19

He could always overclock the older slower memory anyway, and it also depends on what cpu he's using and if that's overclocked. To be honest it would be better if the op just purchased another 2x1gb 6400 kit instead of a 1gb stick. Then he'd have 4gb of the same memory and running in dual channel too.

times_champion · 16 Aug 2009 at 16:32

Well as I say im running XP 32bit, so I may just buy another 1gb stick of the same 6400 RAM and have 3gb in 3 slots

coupe69 · 16 Aug 2009 at 18:49

If you only want another gb then buy 2x512mb sticks of 6400 memory so at least it will be running in dual channel mode. But with the price of memory you may as well just buy another 2gb kit (2x1gb). Doesn't matter if you are running a 32bit os, you'll just find windows will report slightly less depending on how much vram you have on your video card or anything else that has onboard memory on it. Basically a 32bit os can only address 4gb max.