Solved Need a little advise on RAM. Nothing serious.

[wewinjiggy]

I am running 2x 2gb ddr2 800 until recently when one of the cards died.
I have a spare 1gb ddr2 800 and decided I put it in so I'm currently running on 3gb.

Is it okay that I use the 1gb card or should I just stick with a single 2gb card til I get a new one?

As of now, the system is running good. no problems whatsoever. (except for some issues with flash using too much cpu)

Thanks for future responses!

 

[Brink]

Hello wewinjiggy,

While it's best to use identical RAM modules to avoid issues, you will be fine as long as it's the same speed and type.

If they are not the same speed, then all RAM will only run at the speed of the slowest RAM module.

If they are not the same type, then the RAM may only run in single channel mode instead of dual or triple channel mode.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[wewinjiggy]

Hello Shawn,

Thank you..

So does this mean that I'm still running on dual channel? The only difference between the 2 cards is their capacity. Both speed and type are the same.

 

[Brink]

The RAM will need to be the same size in a channel (the two matching slots) for dual channel.

When you use your 1 x 1 GB and 1 x 2 GB in a channel, then it'll only run in single channel mode.

It'll need to be 2 x 2 GB or 2 x 1 GB in a channel for it to be dual channel.

 

[wewinjiggy]

Oh, so the capacity should also be the same. Well, thanks again. cheers!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

Just for FYI, you could have different sizes per channel, but they must be the same size in a channel.

For example:

Say you have 4 slots (1, 2, 3, 4). Slots 1 & 3 is channel A, and slots 2 & 4 are channel B.

You could have say 2 x 2GB in channel A, and 2 x 1GB in channel B to still have dual channel mode.

 

[azasadny]

It's too bad that DDR2 (PC2-6400) RAM is still so expensive. I'm running 6GB (2x2gb and 2x1gb) and they're runnung at 800Mhz and my board will go to 16GB of RAM, but it's just too expensive to buy the 4x4GB RAM, which would be about $300.

 

[wewinjiggy]

It's too bad that DDR2 (PC2-6400) RAM is still so expensive. I'm running 6GB (2x2gb and 2x1gb) and they're runnung at 800Mhz and my board will go to 16GB of RAM, but it's just too expensive to buy the 4x4GB RAM, which would be about $300.

Try to find a local tech community around your area. For instance, here in my country we have tipidpc.com which allows us members to buy/sell or trade either brand new or used items with other members. That way you can find what you need for less. Recently, I bought a 2gb ddr2 800 pc2-6400 which only cost me about $15.

 

[azasadny]

Thanks! I've checked with my local computer shop but I'll continue to look. I pick up RAM once in awhile as I'm always working on old PC's and I scavenge parts from the ones that are too far gone to repair/upgrade.

 

[dirtyvu]

It's too bad that DDR2 (PC2-6400) RAM is still so expensive. I'm running 6GB (2x2gb and 2x1gb) and they're runnung at 800Mhz and my board will go to 16GB of RAM, but it's just too expensive to buy the 4x4GB RAM, which would be about $300.

that's because the world's moved on to DDR3. 8 GB (2 sticks) is $45.