Can I install two different sets/Speeds of DDR2 RAM?

Question

I have a 2X 1gb DDR2 6400
and
2X 512mb DDR2 4200

Can I install the two kits?
then, if so:
Will the system run slower with the addittion of the 1gb or will it run faster? (i.e will both sets run @ 4200?)

ok i guess i should have said that my mobo has 4 slots for up to 16gb of ram.

but what i'm wondering is, will the addition of the 2 X 512mb affect the performance of the original 2 X 1gb?

what i'm wondering is like If i had a 7900GT on a mobo with 2 pci-E 16 slots, but then added a 7600 GS in (obviously) a non-sLi config. The 79oo should continue to function as normal, and I could use the 7600 for like a quad- screen setup, right? Does this work with my RAM situation?

Answer 1

yea it's possible but you will slow down your system considerably. my advice - forget it.

yes it will affect the system performance the negative way if you add the two 512MB sticks because the speed of the slower ram is effective.

Answer 2

Yeah, you have to install the same types of RAM in the same banks though. Like, there are usually two slots for Bank 0 and two slots for Bank 1. It will only work if to two 512s are installed in one bank and the two 1 gigs are installed in the other bank.

Answer 3

If you have sufficient RAM slots to accept four sticks of the same type then you can. Otherwise, add just the 2 1 GB sticks.

Answer 4

with RAM it will always run at the slowest speed ram so if you install 4200 and 3200, the 4200 ram will slow down to match the 3200 ram. thats why its always adviseable to use the same ram on the machine eg matching pairs.

Answer 5

yes you can but its not good use rams of similar data rate.

Answer 6

Make sure you motherboard will support them first.