Mixed DD2 memory

[Zico]

Going to be ordering some more RAM for a friends pc but want to check if there will be any likelihood of problems mixing the existing ram with the proposed new kit.

PC - Gateway 3020b - 512mb2x Samsung M3 78T3354CZ3-CD5 256 MB DDR2-533 DDR2 SDRAM (5.0-4-4-11 @ 266 MHz)

Proposed new ram:
Kingston 2GB (2x1GB Kit) DDR2 533MHz/PC2-4200 Non-ECC CL4

Other than the 533Mhz kit, would there be any advantage of getting 667Mhz kit? Price is usually the same (or minimal difference) for 533 and 667.

I skipped the DDR2 generation myself so only have experience of DDR and DDR3.

 

[J-FRO]

If price is minimal difference why not go for the 667?

 

[andy_mk3]

Fit the 667.

 

[Zico]

If price is minimal difference why not go for the 667?

Fit the 667.

I've always thought that fitting higher spec ram with lower spec ram, the two combined would run at the slowest speed of the two.

If this is true, then the system would not benefit from 667 over the 533 unless the older ram was taken out.

 

[J-FRO]

Oooooooooo! Was under the impression this was a replacement not an addition. That's what I get for not reading it properly.

No, you are correct it will just run at the lowest speed of the two so there is no extra benefit going for the 667 AFAIK except unless the original ram dies later on and you then replace those with 667. But the likelihood of that is minimal I guess.

 

[ellisbodds]

It will indeed run at the speed of the slower RAM, but if they really are the same price, you might as well get the 667MHz stuff - you have a superior set of RAM for the same price, even if you aren't using it.