Is my mismatched RAM hurting my performance?

[michaelmcgo]

I am running an AMD Athlon XP 2000+, but will soon be upgrading to a 2700+ @ 2.2 Ghz. I have three RAM modules (256mb, 256mb, 512mb), all are DDR333. Is it hurting my performance by having two different kinds of RAM? Here are the screen shots of my RAM data. Please recommend any changes I should make.

 

[oscaryu1]

Nope. They all seem to have the same speed. If you have Dual Channel... then there might be a performance drop.

 

[michaelmcgo]

Notice the 512mb in slot #1 . It states two frequencies of 100Mhz and 166Mhz, while the other two state 133Mhz and 166Mhz. What does this mean?

 

[PC eye]

First that would be an XP2800+ not XP2700+ as far as the cpu model number. For 2.2ghz unless Sempron that would be the XP3200+ seeing that stock cpu speed. For memory a matched pair of 512s would be ideal for the PC2700 memory there over mixing a 512 with two 256mb dimms.

As long as both brands are seeing the same type and not mixing single sided with dual sided memory or a timing difference you wouldn't see too much difference simply by brand or size while the ideal would be the matched pair of the same size and type. A look at the board spscifications to see what memory is supported however is generally the first thing done.

As far as the 100, 133, and 166mhz that refers to the front side bus speeds there. PC2700 DDR333 would normally run default at 166mhz in the bios. 2x166.5 = 333mhz in that sense.

 

[StrangleHold]

Notice the 512mb in slot #1 . It states two frequencies of 100Mhz and 166Mhz, while the other two state 133Mhz and 166Mhz. What does this mean?

All that means is what that sticks timing and voltage would be running at 100MHZ. As long as all the sticks are running stable at that voltage and timing you will be fine.

 

[PC eye]

By default when setting up any older DDR board the lowest setting like 100mhz there as well as other Socket A boards would then raised hgher for memory faster then PC1800. CP2100 DDR266 would see 133mhz set in the bios there. With the board there supporting DDR333 seeing the bios setting at a lower speed means the memory will be set to run at that and not the fastest supported. The model cpu plays a role in that often.

 

[michaelmcgo]

So when my 2700+ arrives (333Mhz FSB), the RAM will run at DDR333 speeds?

 

[PC eye]

With the XP2000 in use now you have to lower the memory clock in the bios to run at the 100 or 133mhz setting even with DDR333 memory installed. First a look over of the board specifications to see what it will support would be one idea while the 2700+ will see 2.17ghz and the 333mhz(166x2=333mhz) fsb.

The 2800+, 3000+, and 3200+ models would see 400mhz with PC3200 memory if supported by that make and model board for the faster stick speeds. But just with the faster 2700+ and seeing the fsb raised upto 333mhz will show a difference.

 

[StrangleHold]

So when my 2700+ arrives (333Mhz FSB), the RAM will run at DDR333 speeds?

Yes it will run in DDR 333/166. Its running at 333/166 now, if you look at you first screen shot the FSB right now is 266/133 and your memory is runnning at 166/333, see where it says FSB:RAM FSB+33mhz so when you install the 2700 the memory and FSB will run at the same MHZ (more stable on a Socket A).