RAM purchase/install, simple question

C

Coons

New Member
Can I mix different PC classes of RAM?

I have a couple year old computer. It has an AMD 2400 and 256 megs of PC2100 (i'm pretty sure) DDR RAM. I want to add a 1gb or 512mb stick of PC 3200. Can I do this, or is it one or the other? Any input is appreciated, thanks.
 
You may or may not do it depending on your motherboard. But most/all of the newer ones can, but your ram will only ram as fast as the slowest stick of ram you have in your computer when you have them installed.

1 stick of PC2100, 1 stick of PC2700 = speed of PC2100
 
yeah, cuz it's easier that way, if you've ever bought a kit before. You don't need to sit there and wonder if one RAM will be able to work with another RAM. DUH~! lol
 
yeah, cuz it's easier that way, if you've ever bought a kit before. You don't need to sit there and wonder if one RAM will be able to work with another RAM. DUH~! lol
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Okay, and the extra money over buying two of the exact same sticks is justified by...?
 
more satisfaction. Better than having to return a stick (or both) of RAM after finding out that they aren't very friendly with each other.

I'd say buying a set is easier and is not spending extra money at all, if you know where to buy them. i.e. newegg, directron, etc. You can get good deals and I'm about to buy a gig of ram right now from newegg. (2 x 512mb)

so, tell me, yeti, do you have two different sticks running on your system? if both match and run rock stable at high fsb, you got lucky.
 
I'd say buying a set is easier and is not spending extra money at all, if you know where to buy them. i.e. newegg, directron, etc. You can get good deals and I'm about to buy a gig of ram right now from newegg. (2 x 512mb)
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Generally speaking matched sets are more expensive. Yes, you can find deals on them, but the same can be said of single sticks.

so, tell me, yeti, do you have two different sticks running on your system? if both match and run rock stable at high fsb, you got lucky.
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Who said anything about overclocking? By the sound of the initial post I would not assume that overclocking is involved.
 
True of what you said.

However, apparently the guy wants more than 256 MB of ram.

So I am suggesting him to buy just a good, trustworthy 512 or 1 gig. of RAM with the money he's going to spend for 512. Also, with a kit, he can take a full advantage of dual channel memory feature of his motherboard; assuming that he has such mobo.

I found two GeIL RAM for him. I was going to buy it but now that I have enough money, I would like him to take a look.

here and and here I am well aware that it is a value series, but GEIL is a very good company and if he buys one of those, it will last for a while as long as he is not planning on upgrading his system or something soon. also, those aren't that expensive.
 
True of what you said.

However, apparently the guy wants more than 256 MB of ram.

So I am suggesting him to buy just a good, trustworthy 512 or 1 gig. of RAM with the money he's going to spend for 512. Also, with a kit, he can take a full advantage of dual channel memory feature of his motherboard; assuming that he has such mobo.

I found two GeIL RAM for him. I was going to buy it but now that I have enough money, I would like him to take a look.

here and and here I am well aware that it is a value series, but GEIL is a very good company and if he buys one of those, it will last for a while as long as he is not planning on upgrading his system or something soon. also, those aren't that expensive.
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An AMD guy, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Athlon 2400 is socket A and doesn't support dual channel memory. Anyway, my final words on this subject - get a 512 stick. 768 should be sufficient for most apps. If you think you really need more get two sticks of 512 (PC2100), you really shouldn't need more than a gig and 2 512 sticks will be cheaper than a 1 gig stick. And IMO a matched pair is not needed.
 
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why the heck would you get pc-2100? c'mon~ the speed is like upto 5500, i think.

and you want the guy to get 2100? 3200 should be the minimum for a good system.
 
yeah, cuz it's easier that way, if you've ever bought a kit before. You don't need to sit there and wonder if one RAM will be able to work with another RAM. DUH~! lol
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The entire point of a 'kit' is
1. To increase marketability
2. "Ensure" performance running dual channel mode with two dimms
Compatability is something completely different.

more satisfaction. Better than having to return a stick (or both) of RAM after finding out that they aren't very friendly with each other.
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Friendly? The kit just "guarantees" performance, not compatability.

Also, with a kit, he can take a full advantage of dual channel memory feature of his motherboard; assuming that he has such mobo.
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I hope you're not suggesting that buying two sticks of RAM wont allow you to "take full advantage" of dual channel

An AMD guy, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Athlon 2400 is socket A and doesn't support dual channel memory.
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AthlonXPs, not having ondie memory controller does not determine dual channel support. The Motherboard does that. Most S462 motherboards support it (and even if they dont its not a crippling loss)

why the heck would you get pc-2100? c'mon~ the speed is like upto 5500, I think.
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1. You should check that again (the max speed that is)
2. There was an architecture change from PC2100 and anything beyond -- in fact some mobos running PC2100 dont work with PC2700 dimms.

and you want the guy to get 2100? 3200 should be the minimum for a good system.
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See above
 
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