Will it matter against the performace if I add 2 256 chips or just 1 512? Which would be better? I have 2 256 chips already with 4 slots.
2006-09-30 18:53:23 · 8 answers · asked by titancloud 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Either will work, let me say that agin for everyone who says it won't, IT WILL WORK. However it is better to have them equal throughout, especially if you have dual-channel capable motherboard.
2006-09-30 19:07:22 · answer #1 · answered by mysticman44 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say the 2x256 would work better because, all the memory on the stick have to share the bandwith of the slot, if you have the 2 sticks you can (thereticly) have twice as much data being accessed at the same time, where the 1 stick of 512 has to make the data "wait" in line to get out of the stick and into the CPU for proccessing.
Now if you have something newer than 4 years old then im not sure that theory still works, someone email me and tell me if I'm wrong, after all, i rather be corrected than stay uninformed.
2006-09-30 19:44:55 · answer #2 · answered by jetman36jr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the first answer stated if your motherboard is old you may be stuck with the 4 256 chips (1 gig aint bad anyways.)
As for the last 2 PCs I've had, though, my Mobos been totally fine with mixing/matching RAM, in which case I'd go with 3 256s and a 512... obviously for max RAM... but I do not know the case for your PC.
RAM is easy to install, though, so give a few different setups a try and see how they work out. Personally I prefer using 1 larger chip over 2 smaller ones just for ease of future upgrading (say as in buying another 512.)
2006-09-30 19:06:31 · answer #3 · answered by Tonx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on your motherboard and BIOS, installing a 512MB along with your 2 256's may not/most likely will not work.
I would recommend staying with the 256's straight through. Added advantage here, if one of those 256's goes out, you need only replace it. If the 512 worked, then went bad, you're out 512.
hope this helps!
pe@ce
2006-09-30 18:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer to your question depends totally on the chipset on your motherboard. If you have an Intel processor, then only the newest 9xx series chipsets support using different sized memory sticks, and remaining in dual-channel mode: http://mysearch.intel.com/corporate/default.aspx?q=Flex+Memory&site=P001_en-US&fileType=&as_q=Flex+Memory&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=100&ddlLang=%2Fcorporate%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fculture%3Den-US
If you have an AMD processor, then it can run in dual-channel mode with any variation of sizes, as long as it isn't Socket 754, which can't run in dual-channel, no matter what. Since Socket 754 motherboards have a maximum of three DIMM slots, though, that isn't what you have.
If you don't already know what chipset your motherboard uses, just download this application: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php and it will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about your computer, including which chipset your motherboard uses.
2006-09-30 21:00:29 · answer #5 · answered by alchemist_n_tx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unless ur gonna go with 2 512s....stick with the 2 256s
2006-09-30 19:01:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your computer took the 2x256 and 1x512, then it's OK. I guess your CPU has 4 slots, and if it's the case, if you need to increase the RAM again, you have to have another 512MB. They need to be installed in pair.
Otherwise, enjoy.
2006-09-30 19:02:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anh 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
best config is 4 1gb of memory
2006-09-30 21:30:02 · answer #8 · answered by kim_rukawa11 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋