3gig Ram Performance Penalty?

[AlkiYY]

Topic says it all. I know there will be a 2T command rate, but I'm not to worried about that. Just checking if anyone knows of any issues when using 2 sets of different sized ram.

 

[GrammatonJP]

0 Probs here

 

[bunnyfubbles]

The two sets might not want to play nice together. If you're really worried you can test things out with memtest. I've tested my 1GB kit with my 2GB and was able to run with 3GB no problems. However that was just to test things out and see if it would work, I've got that 1GB in a different system made from my spare parts.

 

[imported_Crusader]

Sure you can add it. But yes there is a performance penalty.

Its just a ton more memory registers for the CPU to manage.. its going to slow things as you add RAM over 1GB.

I'd go 2GB tops if it were me (I use 1GB). Unless you have a extremely high end use for 2+GB.. theres no reason to slow down your PC. You wont see any improvement in almost every application beyond 2GB.. and in most applications besides a few poorly coded games (BF2), you will see actual slowdowns in FPS.
link

3GB vs 2GB wont give you any multitasking advantage either.

 

[imported_Crusader]

As far as different sets of memory, the answer is no. No problems.

But I was referring to 3GB vs 2GB performance in your system. Which is a similar issue to what you asked, but something your question doesnt specifically imply you are inquiring about.

 

[Luckyboy1]

It's a crap shoot! As a result, all answers from 0 problems to completely overcooked pork will do as perfectly correct here. What's wrong with two 2 Gig sticks?... besides the increase in timings that is!

 

[Luckyboy1]

I'd sell the old RAM on eBay and not deal with the limitations of not getting what you want.

 

[AMCRambler]

From what I understood XP is only able to address 2gb of memory. So having 3gb would be pointless since the memory would not be used. I know we had this issue with our servers at work running Windows 2003 and we had to get the Advanced Server version which has a 3gb switch you add to the boot command to allow accessing 3gb of memory.

 

[Luckyboy1]

My understanding is XP can address 4 GB, but I could be wrong! Lemme go ask a Dude who knows fer sure!

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
My understanding is XP can address 4 GB, but I could be wrong! Lemme go ask a Dude who knows fer sure!

Ahh I think you're correct. I think the application space is 2gb, and the OS will use up to 2gb.

Looks like the 3GB switch lets you bump the application space up to 3gb.

 

[Bobthelost]

I haven't heard of any issues using two different sized sets. Obviously if you're not using more than 2GB it'd be best to just use the 2 new sticks, but if you are running several RAM hungry apps at the same time, enjoy the speed increase.

 

[George Powell]

I use 3GB without any problems.

It's a bit overkill but who cares.