vista/RAM question

[Cheeseking25]

Hi. I am getting vista home premium 32-bit (not 64-bit cause it will have problems with some of my software/hardware) for my new gaming system. I am wondering if I got 3GB of RAM (2x1GB modules and 2x512MB modules) how would I run it in dual channel? How much RAM would you guys reccomend for gaming in vista? Here are my specs:

Case: Antec 900 ATX
CPU: Q6600 w/Zalman CNPS9500 LED
PSU: Silencer 750 Quad
Mobo: ASUS P5N32-E SLI
Vid card: PNY XLR8 8800GTX
Memory: 2-4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800MHz (not sure on amount yet)
HD 1: Western Digital Raptor 10000RPM 150GB
HD 2: Seagate 7200RPM 250GB
DVD: two 20x DVD+-R with lightscribe

 

[phucng_10]

2GB of RAM is more then enough in my own opinion.

 

[Cheeseking25]

i was thinking about getting an extra gig of RAM just to be safe. I would be getting nthe extra gig as 2 512MB modules so how would I run these and the 2 1GB modules in dual channel?

 

[AP4LIFETN]

u have 4 ram slots..arrange them like this...1GB-512MB-1GB-512MB, but check your motherboard to make sure if its 1 & 3, or 1 & 2 for dual channel...just make sure they're matched up and u should be ok...

 

[Cheeseking25]

but basically just place the same module pairs (2 1GBs and 2 512MBs) in the corresponding slots (whatever they may be)?

 

[phucng_10]

Yeah. Place them by their colors.

 

[Cheeseking25]

the 512s and 1GBs shouldnt be the exact same model # right? (the 512's are the same brand and speed as the 1GB's they just have a different model #)

 

[phucng_10]

Model number wouldn't matter. Just be sure their speed are the same (not as in MB or GB but like DDR2 667 or DDR2 800).

 

[AP4LIFETN]

try to make them the same...obviously they won't be exactly the same because they're different ram amounts...but say u have the 2x1GB g.skill HZ's, u want the 2x512MB g.skill HZ's so its the same voltage/speed

 

[Cheeseking25]

i would be using these two pairs together

Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

they are both supported by my mobo. I just want to be sure they will work together.