mixing different speeds of DDR1?

skanky · 17 Apr 2007 at 22:31

i have a fileserver running a X2 3800 at running stock, with 1gb of OCZ PC3200 DDR (i think), considering i wont be overclocking and the priority is stablitiy, is it okay to run with 2x PC3200 and 2x PC2700?

or should i try and sell the PC3200 and get 2gb of PC2700 instead?

IAmATeaf · 17 Apr 2007 at 22:40

Should be OK the faster RAM will just run at the speed of the slowest.

skanky · 17 Apr 2007 at 23:08

if im running a fileserver at stock X2 speeds, should there be any reason not to use PC2700?

it will also occasionally double as a machine that will play HD media..

RaiderX · 17 Apr 2007 at 23:22

you might notice a bit of performance increase when watching HD with the faster memory

rapid64k · 18 Apr 2007 at 03:08

IAmATeaf said:
Should be OK the faster RAM will just run at the speed of the slowest.

I agree

skanky · 18 Apr 2007 at 09:34

going to sound a little thick but doesnt a 3800 run with a 10x mutliplier and 200fsb?

according to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM pc3200 operates at 200mhz, which surely is what i need as 2700 is only 166mhz?

IAmATeaf · 18 Apr 2007 at 10:18

If you already have the pc3200 RAM then get yourself some more RAM of the same speed.

If you install PC2700 RAM then the mobo will just run the RAM unlinked from the FSB.

PinkFloyd · 18 Apr 2007 at 10:49

You want pc3200

Yellowbeard · 18 Apr 2007 at 16:33

Keep in mind that there are no guarantees when mixing memory, especially on AMD dual channel boards. You need to try to EXACTLY match the existing memory if possible.

However, for your intended uses here, mixing what you have will be fine "IF" it will run together. Are you finding situations where you "need" 2gb of memory on this server? Unless you are just hammering the server mercilessly with data requests from multiple users, 1gb should be fine. If the PC2700 works with the 3200, run with it. Otherwise, it may be more trouble than it is worth.