Memory slots....

rendez2k · 20 Aug 2007 at 18:37

I had 2x 1gb Geil Value PC3200 DDR memory in my Asus P4C800 E Deluxe board and I've decided to add 1 more 1gb stick (leaving 1 slot free). How much will this effect performance? Should memory always be paired? Also, is it correct that XP Pro only recognises 3gb?

Cob · 20 Aug 2007 at 18:41

32bit XP will recognise ~3.2gb.

You will lose dual-channel by adding just a single stick. Whether that matters depends on whether you will actually use the 3rd 1gb.

rendez2k · 20 Aug 2007 at 18:45

By loosing dual channel, how much difference does it make? My system feels slower but I'm not sure if I'm just looking for it now!

Cob · 20 Aug 2007 at 18:48

In theory it halves your bandwidth.

rendez2k · 20 Aug 2007 at 18:51

I assume if I now go and buy another 1gb stick of the same stuff, I will regain my dual channel config?

addylad · 20 Aug 2007 at 19:25

Yeah.

But the weird thing is, some older motherboards supporting dual-channel have three RAM slots, filling all three won't affect dual-channel.

But not nowadays.

EDIT: an extra gig wouldn't be recognised by 32-bit I believe.

PhillyDee · 20 Aug 2007 at 20:01

Its 4gb total allowed, minus all the other ram in your system, video cards etc. Usually ends up 3-3.5gb