quick ram question

[Dutch]

I have a gigabyte board and im going to be ordering the p4 3.0Ghz processor tonight. Anyway I already have a 256 stick of kingston ram and I would like to add another 12. Would it be better to add 1 512 stick or 2x256 sticks giving me a total of 768. The board is capable of running dual channel memory. BTW this will not be OC'ed at all. Thanks

 

[Apokalipse]

it would give you best performance with a total of 2 sticks of RAM, so they run in dual channel.
I suggest either 2x256 or 2x512MB if you want the extra performance, but if you don't want to worry about dual channel, I think 1x256 and 1x512 is the better of the options you posted

 

[Mel Function]

similar sticks are equal to similar combinations. thus, you need similar sticks to perform dual channel.

 

[Blind_Arrow]

if u have dual channel Mobo, then i'll suggest, dumping your old memory (or) buying same manufacturer's stick of 256MB making it to 512 total.

else ur dual channel wont work

both sticks have to match latency (at least) if not manufacturer.

and are you on Intel 865/875 chipset?

 

[Dutch]

Intel 865PE + ICH5

 

[Blind_Arrow]

MSI will have definately QVR of DDR Manufacturers (as I can assure of Asus though).

if latency matches, then hopefully it will work, else i'll recommend either buying same DDR as your old Memory.

(or) , dump ur old mem, and buy a matching pair.

 

[Alex81388]

A bit off the subject, but if I have a 939 socket board commin, and two 512 ddrs that I want to run in dual channel, do I have to set that up in bios or will it automatically do it for me?

 

[Apokalipse]

the motherboard will automatically turn on dual channel