RAM Question

[Computergeek]

Hello,

I am currently running 4 gigs of ram. The thing i am not sure about is i am running mixed RAM. they are


Mushkin HP PC2-6400 HP2-6400 2GB 2X1GB
and
(Buffalo Select D2U800C-1G/BR 1GB 1X1GB) X2

would this create a problem when playing games and such.

Thanks
Compgeek

[DarKStar]

If you are using memory in dual channel mode, you should use dual channel kits and use the same RAM for both. I have, in the past mixed RAM with no problem, I even ran dual channel with 2 different brands and got away with it - The thing to take into consideration is the timings have to match otherwise you will be running the slowest of both. Things can vary from one motherboard to another, and some have gotten away with it - but personally I always advise to use the same RAM / same timings to avoid any trouble, that's what I currently do now. Some motherboards are very picky about RAM, others I found to be more tolerant - YOu say you are CURRENTLY running this, and I noticed you are using 3 modules, so in your case you are running in single channel mode. I would strongly advise you buy a DUal Channel kit, 2 modules of 2GB each and run in dual channel mode, buy the low latency PC6400, (4-4-4-12) for example @ 800Mhz and run both channels using same RAM. In your case you could run your single channel setup fine, make sure the timings are the same, and if your motherboard currently supports it and boots, it's fine, check your timings on all the RAM (can you post your specs ?) don't use 4-4-4-12's with 5-5-5-15 for example. Your timings are set based on the SPD on your RAM, if both don't match, the highest of latencies take priority.

ALso about 4 GB of RAM, what OS are you running ? A 32bit OS is limited to 4GB of adressable RAM, however only part of it can be used - so you will end up with only 3GB or little under that available, (to have access to all 4 you will need a 64bit OS).

Now to answer your original question - of course lower latencies give better frame rates - how much better - well to be honest you probably won't NOTICE it with your eyes, as your eyes can only see so much frames - so unless you benchmark it, you probably won't notice it, especially if you have a good CPU and good graphic card and ALREADY have a high frame rate - for some hardcore gamer however, they might argue differently as every little frame counts, even a 5~10fps difference from using DDR-2 800 4-4-4-12 vs. DDR-2 667 :D
For games that are power hungry and that you already have a low frame rate, yeah, maybe that extra 5-10fps helps.

[Computergeek]

I am thinking about going with Mushkin XP PC2-8000 Redline 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-12 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit or G.SKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ PC2-8000 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit

[DarKStar]

Before buying new RAM always check your motherboard's specs vs. your RAM's specs. Some motherboards don't allow DRAM voltage past a certain amount while others can go up to 2.5V for example. Some boards are picky too, be careful. To be safe you could follow the qualified & tested brands for a given motherboards, however it doesn'T mean that other RAM not on the QVL will not work.

With GOOD quality RAM you should have no problem upping the voltage a bit and running 4-4-4-12.

Example, on my old system I purchased COrsair 2GB KIT, DDR-2 667 @ 5-5-5-12. Ever sine I purchased it (over a year ago) I've been running it 24/7 OCed to 800 @ 4-4-4-12 - and it passed 2 overnight burnin sessions using memtestx86 and DocMem. If you CAN get the 4-4-4-12 kits, even better I say. My personal preference has always been with Corsair, I personally do not like GShill and Mushkin remind me of something I would eat at Dunkin Donuts :) ThaT's just me, I ordered a 4GB kit from DC, Corsair XMS2 DHX TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12 240PIN Memory Kit - DirectCanada
That's what I run now, and those can be OCed quite well for me @ 2.2V - At default those chips run using default JEDEC timings, very conservative, so you gotta up them to their spec, but make sure your MB supports the required voltage.

I have this MF running somewhere above 1000 @ 4-4-4-12 - now those are MY experiences, don't go ahead and attempt that - what works for me might not work for others.

[Bognostraglum]

Rather than post a new thread, going to ask a hopefully simple question.

The Asus P5N-E has 4 mem slots. Currently theres 2 x 1 gig sticks in one bank. The OS is XP Pro 32bit. Would it be better to put another 2x1 gig sticks of the same ram to get 4 gigs total or just go with 2x512 sticks to end up with 3 gigs.

[misterd]

I'd put 4 in to keep them all the same - and either deal with missing some ram or switch to a 64bit version of XP/Vista

[Companion_Cube]

I wouldn't even use kits that weren't from the same batch.

[DarKStar]

Originally Posted by Bognostraglum

Rather than post a new thread, going to ask a hopefully simple question.

The Asus P5N-E has 4 mem slots. Currently theres 2 x 1 gig sticks in one bank. The OS is XP Pro 32bit. Would it be better to put another 2x1 gig sticks of the same ram to get 4 gigs total or just go with 2x512 sticks to end up with 3 gigs.

Get a 4GB dual channel KIT of the SAME RAM, they usually come packaged together and were usually tested together, that'S what I would do. Don't worry about the 4GB and your 32bit OS, you are getting 4GB now and it will be useful for when you decide to use a 64bit OS. :)

[Bognostraglum]

Thanks for the advice.