Dual Channel Ram, Mixing Speeds

[crazyb8ss]

Hey, I am currently running my computer on a mobo that only supports 333mhz ram. I am upgrading to MSI PT880-LSR, which supports 4 sticks instead of the 2 my mobo right now does and supports 400 mhz ram. (I have a p4 2.8ghz f.y.i)

I am going to purchase a stick of 512 mb ram 400 mhz, should i dual channel with the 512 400mhz on channel a and the 2 256 333 mhz on b or what?

also, will having 333 mhz running with 400, i have heard that the 400 will run at 333 mhz, is it better to have 512 at 4000 or 1gb at 333?

 

[Kadahaf]

the 400 will downclock to 333mhz

 

[crazyb8ss]

even if they are on different channels?

 

[Him]

Yes, your computer can only run as fast as it's slowest part, so it will underclock everything to the speed of the slowest stick.

 

[crazyb8ss]

Ok here are my system specs:

Pentium 4, 2.8 Ghz
2x 256 mb ram 333mhz
1x 512 400 mhz
PNY nVidia Geforce 5200
60 gb hd

The only games I play are city of heros and americas army, Would I be better off with 512 mb 400 mhz or 1gb 333mhz?

 

[Him]

1GB at 333. You already are going to be held back by your video card, so best to circumvent that problem as best as possible with more RAM. However, that second 512 wont be in dual channel. Get another 512 stick @400mhz and slap that in there and take out the 2x256.

 

[crazyb8ss]

whats wrong with a 5200 w/ 128 mb?

 

[Him]

It's old and crappy man, no offense. That card is tired. It may be good for the only two games you play, but bleh, it's even detrimental to overall performance. But go with more RAM than faster RAM, that is optimal in this situation.

 

[RicoDirenzo]

And since the clock speeds do not match it will not run in the dual channel mode. It will run single channel and the 400 will run backward compliant to 333.

 

[dumdum8684]

actually if i am correct the 2 256 sticks should run in dual channel if configured correctly and the 512 in single...

-Aaron