"matched" memory a necessity?

M

Mike

New Member
I recently added 1GB memory (Kingston KVR400 DDR PC3200 CL3 184-pin DIMM) to my already 512 (two 256MB modules) filling three of my four slots. The intent: to help my Pinnacle Movie Studio 9 actually run. It still doesn't and I'm hoping another gig of memory will help.

My computer is dual channel configuration so my question now is: Do I need to try to return the 1GB memory module I just bought and try to find a prepackaged identically matched set (two 1GB modules that have supposedly been tested together), or will there actually be that much difference if I simply buy another 1GB module of the same brand and type to the one listed above and add it to my last remaining slot giving me 2.5GB total?

Thanks,
Mike

I've got a HP Pavilion a630n, P-4, 2.8 GHz.
 
As long as the total memory in channel A matches the memory in channel B it's dual channel capable. It can be done with 2 512MB sticks and a 1GB or 2x256MB and a 512MB, etc.
 
convenient thing about putting RAM in your system, it all runs at the same speed and timings :)
 
I think I might be confused. Cromewell, are you saying then that the set up I have now (two 256MB sticks in one channel and one 1GB stick in the other) is not correct? Each channel should have the same total memory? That even though I added another 1GB stick in my remaining slot it would not be right because I would then have a total of 2GB in one channel and only 512MB in the other? I guess I was under the impression that you only had to have matching MB withinin each channel, not each channel matching the total MB of the other.

Also, alanuofm, how do I tell if the timings are identical?

Thanks for your replies. Appreciate the help.

Mike
 
I wasn't very clear before, hopefully this will help:

Rules to Enable Dual Channel Mode (i865/875 and probably all AMD chipsets/memory controllers supporting dual channel)
To achieve Dual Channel mode, the following conditions must be met:
  • Matched DIMM configuration in each channel
  • Same Density (128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc.)
  • Same DRAM technology (128Mb, 256Mb, or 512Mb)
  • Same DRAM bus width (x8 or x16)
  • All either single-sided or dual-sided
  • Matched in both Channel A and Channel B memory channels
  • Populate symmetrical memory slots (Slot 0 or Slot 1)

The following conditions do not need to be met:
  • Same brand
  • Same timing specifications
  • Same DDR speed

On i9x5 platforms you get the option to mismatch. So you could put a 1GB stick in channel A and 2 512MB sticks in channel B and get a dual channel configuration.
 
Just to update...

Returned the Kingston and bought two matched OCZ 1GB sticks for a total now of 2.49GB. Still, unfortunately, no success with my video editing program. So, it's either still some type of memory problem (heard about Memtest86+ but haven't figured it out yet) or the video program itself. Onward I go...

Thanks for your help.

Mike
 
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