2GB kit.. different makes/chips?

[azteched]

I currently have 2GB of 5300 Crucial Ballistix, and looking to get an extra 2GB to bring the total to 4 (planning on getting Vista 64).

I'm not sure what to do though - from what I've read, it may not be a good idea to get a non-Micron D9 chip kit for the second 2GB, for compatibility reasons..?
Also timings could be an issue, I suppose.

Ballistix is a fair bit more expensive than some of the other kits on sale now, e.g. the GeIL 6400 ULL stuff, which is why I'm hesitating.

I guess the other option is to sell the Ballistix and get 4GB of other stuff! Advice?

 

[Space Monkey]

If I was in your situation, i'd sell what i had and get a 4GB matching PC2-6400 kit of some sort, especially for the prices some are currently going for.

Peace

 

[steve258]

I currently have 2GB of 5300 Crucial Ballistix, and looking to get an extra 2GB to bring the total to 4 (planning on getting Vista 64).

I'm not sure what to do though - from what I've read, it may not be a good idea to get a non-Micron D9 chip kit for the second 2GB, for compatibility reasons..?
Also timings could be an issue, I suppose.

Ballistix is a fair bit more expensive than some of the other kits on sale now, e.g. the GeIL 6400 ULL stuff, which is why I'm hesitating.

I guess the other option is to sell the Ballistix and get 4GB of other stuff! Advice?

I was in the exact situation as you are now, I initially thought it was a better idea to get 4 identical sticks as well since they are so cheap, that's why I bought 2 of the OCZ Platinum XTC 2GB 4-4-4-15 kits but they were rubbish when used together on my last mobo. Eventually one went faulty so I was left with the a ballistix kit and an OCZ kit, that worked quite happily at 920Mhz 5-5-5-15, just to prove that you don't need 4 identical sticks to run 4Gb.

Tried 2 of the Geil ULL 2Gb PC6400 as well when they were going for £30 a while ago. All 4 sitcks worked very well at the same frequency as above, even ran 4-4-4-12 920Mhz as well when using only 1 kit. Eventually saw a ballistix PC5300 2Gb for sale in MM for £40 so went for that and got rid of all my Geils and OCZs.

So my advice is to keep an eye on a 2nd hand ballistix 2Gb PC5300/PC6400 in the MM or auction site. Because once you've had micron D9 chips you won't want to settle with anything slower!!

12 more posts then you'll have access to the members market, there are quite a few ballistix kits in there atm.

 

[azteched]

Thanks for the advice both - steve - I may follow you and try and get some second hand 5300 ballistix. Good to know that non-identical sticks can work fine.

Sorry for the resurrection - not had internet at home this week - Be finally connected me!