Add Memory but lose performance?

[ChrisHumphreys]

This is a good question, maybe someone will know the answer. I just added a 2GB Kingston Ram chip to my computer. I started with 3GB in my machine, then added the 2GB chip while dropping a half gig so they would fit, now I have a total of 4.5 GB of RAM!!

So now I run a performance test from Vista, and my memory score drops .6 points! Can anyone explain this? The sequence of the memory chips in size goes 2,1,1,.5...

If someone else has ever dealt with this stuff please let me know!

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Gareth]

Most likely because you are no longer in dual channel memory mode.

Identical memory capacity sticks should be used for top performance such as


2GB + 2GB + 2GB + 2GB
1GB + 1GB + 2GB + 2GB
or
2GB + 2GB + 1GB + 1GB

From what I can see you are running

1GB + 1GB + 2GB + 512MB

In short, If you upgrade that second 512MB to a 2GB, the memory score will go back up to how it should be.

 

[ChrisHumphreys]

Thanks

That definitely makes sense, I think I will get the other 2GB chip and see how it works out.

Thanks!

 

[Shane]

I also had this problem too,I had 2x 2gb sticks + 2x 512mb sticks = 5gb

Even though they still ran in dual channel my Vista score went down to 5.3 i think....instead of 5.9 as it was with just the 4gb in so i kept it as it was with 4gb.

 

[bomberboysk]

I also had this problem too,I had 2x 2gb sticks + 2x 512mb sticks = 5gb

Even though they still ran in dual channel my Vista score went down to 5.3 i think....instead of 5.9 as it was with just the 4gb in so i kept it as it was with 4gb.

512mb Sticks cant run in dual channel with 2x2gb sticks... they all have to be matched pairs.

 

[kookooshortman55]

Are you running a 64 bit or a 32 bit OS? This isn't relevant to your problem, but if you're going to upgrade the RAM it's relevant to the solution.

 

[Shane]

512mb Sticks cant run in dual channel with 2x2gb sticks... they all have to be matched pairs.

i had 2x 2gb and 2x 512mb...yes they can run in dual channel.

 

[bomberboysk]

i had 2x 2gb and 2x 512mb...yes they can run in dual channel.

Oh wait, forgot your using an intel chipset that can do that, nvidia chipsets require fully matched pairs in all slots.

 

[Shane]

Oh wait, forgot your using an intel chipset that can do that, nvidia chipsets require fully matched pairs in all slots.

Yes Intel chipset..

 

[bomberboysk]

Yes Intel chipset..

Still, isnt it when you run the other two, your larger memory runs in dual channel then the other in single channel? Something like flex mode or something?

 

[Shane]

Still, isnt it when you run the other two, your larger memory runs in dual channel then the other in single channel? Something like flex mode or something?

Not sure about that,But on my motherboard all memory was reported to be running in Dual channel.