What effect will mixing ram have?

krooton · 23 Oct 2006 at 18:42

I've got 1GB (2x 512) now which with the cpu divider allow me to hit 3Ghz.

If I were to get a different pair of 1GB 512's, would all 4 sticks still be able to run at their rated speed?

2x OCZ and 2x say Geil Value?

Cheers

joeyjojo · 23 Oct 2006 at 18:47

First of all, 4 sticks will almost certainly knock the command rate down to 2T, which is bad. Also, you'll have to set things according to the slacker set (the geils in that case), so might be wasting some of the oczs capability. Assuming the mobo even boots with that mix.

It's not worth it in my opinion. If you need 2gig it's better to sell what you've got and buy a 2gig pair.

krooton · 23 Oct 2006 at 18:52

getting another pair is like £35, selling my current and buying new is like £120

Would it be best for me to source another pair of the same type cheap?

joeyjojo · 23 Oct 2006 at 19:00

What you do is up to you mate

But my advice to get the best results would be selling your still respectable OCZs and getting a value 2gig set.

Like you say it might not be worth it. Consider making do with a gig for now?

More opinions please, not my area of expertise

Rroff · 23 Oct 2006 at 19:30

Mixing performance RAM and value RAM is never a good idea, you might be able to get to the same FSB speed tho - but at much more relaxed timings - also from my experiences OCZ RAM doesn't work too well with relaxed timings - its easier to get the OCZ Gold XTC VX RAM in my P4 rig to 250MHz on 2-2-2-5 timings (with increased voltage) than it is to get 250MHz on say 3-4-4-8 with voltages more acceptable to value RAM.

Hamoodii · 23 Oct 2006 at 19:40

I sold my OCZ GOLD 2GB kit, and got a 2GB corsair value kit-never been happier!!! It depends what you use the RAM for, I did gaming so value>performance are pretty much the same

saintly · 24 Oct 2006 at 13:23

joeyjojo said:
First of all, 4 sticks will almost certainly knock the command rate down to 2T, which is bad. Also, you'll have to set things according to the slacker set (the geils in that case), so might be wasting some of the oczs capability. Assuming the mobo even boots with that mix.

It's not worth it in my opinion. If you need 2gig it's better to sell what you've got and buy a 2gig pair.

I have looked into this and the drop to 2T will be pretty insignificant - who notices a 2-3% drop in framerate?

Getting an extra 2 sticks is the way to go rather than going for a massively expensive pair of 1GB sticks - even value DDR is VERY expensive now.

Wondering about mixing myslef at the mo as I'm also after OCZ PC3200 which only rarely comes up on a certain auction site...