Dual Channel RAM

[stevelenihan]

I currently have 2 identical 512MB PC3200 DDR value RAM modules installed in dual channel mode. I'm thinkin of adding another 2GB of RAM (2x1) and am wondering if i get performance RAM will it work in dual channel along with my existing ram or will i have to take out the cureent ram. Is it possibble to have 2 pairs of different ram(ie. value ram and performance ram) running seperately in dual channel?

 

[waytoosmall]

I'm not positive, but from what I've read you don't want to take up 4 mem slots because it lowers performance. Everyone told me to only take up 2 dual channel slots (1 pair), for maximum performance. As for whether or not they will work, I think they would, but they will run at the slowest chip speed present.

 

[stevelenihan]

So you think 2GB in 2 slots would work out faster than 3GB in 4 slots?

 

[King X13]

4 slots filled with memory will not reduce proformace at all. and yes it will work, i have 3 different types of memory over 4 slots with different clocks and i still have dual chanel.

why they say take up 2 and not 4 is, its better to have 2 1 gig sticks then 4 512 thats all thats about.

 

[stevelenihan]

Right so if I have two sets of identical Ram both pairs will work in dual channel and both pairs dont need to have the same timings

 

[AnthraX]

Right so if I have do sets of identical Ram both pairs will work in dual channel and both pairs dont need to have the same timings

Yup.