RAM not running at max speed

L

LSR

New Member
Hey,

I don't really understand RAM timings, so I'm not entirely sure what I'm talking about here, but I think there is an issue; according to CPU-Z, my DRAM frequency is 400MHz. I have 4 sticks, in dual channel.. 2x512, 2x1024.

It's CORSAIR

http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X512A-6400.pdf

And the 1024mb equivalent, CM2X1024-6400CA.

Am I reading CPU-Z wrong - is the 400MHz multiplied like something, in a similar way to the processor? I just see that, according to the Corsair website, it's capable of 800MHz.
 
Perfect. Nice and simple, cheers.

Out of interest, is it a no-no to mix brand/speed modules? I'm looking to upgrade it a bit fairly cheaply to keep me going for 6 or 7 months 'til I upgrade the computer. Say I found some OCZ 800MHz, or something. Coule I put 2 sticks of 2GB OCZ alongside my 1GB sticks of Corsair?
 
Most of the time it will work fine. The board will just by default set the memory speed and timing to the slowest stick. If its a AMD running two 2gb and one 1gb stick will kick it out of dual channel.
 
Most of the time?

So if it's the same speed, even if it's different brands, it should be ok and run at the max speed.

Out of interest, under what circumstances will it not work, then? I'm using an Intel CPU
 
LSR said:
Most of the time?

So if it's the same speed, even if it's different brands, it should be ok and run at the max speed.

Out of interest, under what circumstances will it not work, then? I'm using an Intel CPU
Click to expand...

If its the same speed, yes. If the timing is slower on one stick it will lower the timimg to match.

Some boards will just freak out:P. Or if the sticks are so far apart in speed/timing and voltage you just cant find a common ground they all can run at.
 
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