Newbie question about adding more memory.

[adinu]

Hey guys, right now I have 256mb or pc2100 ddr ram. Ive been wanting to upgrade this department for a while, and I finally have the funds to do so. I was looking around on some sites for a 512mb stick, and they say that you have to install memory in pairs of 2 in order to get the dual channel function.

I dont know if that applies to me, but would I be able to just add a 512 stick to my existing 256, or do I need 2 matchin sets of memory.

 

[CntdwnToExtn]

i'm thinin' you don't have duel ram anyway because you've only got 1 stick of 256..but i could be wrong.

if you don't, you can add another 512 single stick of pc2100, or you can get a single stick of pc3200 (make sure you mobo can support that...check your manual)

 

[waynejkruse10]

for setting up a dual channel setup you need 2 identical sticks. Your best bet is to buy a dual channel kit from corsair, kingston etc. They come with 2 identical sticks of 256. If you buy a kit, you are guaranteed good dual channel stability and speed. Your old stick you can sell on Ebay, or build a second system with it or give it to a friend because you wont need it if you buy a dual channel kit

 

[TheMajor]

Check the manual if your mobo supports dual-channel.

 

[waynejkruse10]

yeah, good point, if you only have ddr 266 (pc 2100) your mobo might not even support dual channel

 

[Alexqd3]

what is the benefit of having dual ram?
and how do you use it?
what exactly does it do

 

[waynejkruse10]

well, ddr 400 can transmit data at 400mhz. so for P4 systems the ram sends data to the cpu every 2 clock cycles because the p4 system bus is 800mhz, twice the speed of the ram. Dual channel gets 2 sticks of ddr 400 and lets the cpu talk to one of the sticks of ram every clock cycle so no cycles are wasted.