Help me with RAM upgrade

[Azndude51]

I currently have Mushkin 2x512mb DDR400 sticks on a MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum nforce3 board.

I want to upgrade to 2GB total; however, I don't know how I should go about doing this. I remember hearing something about problems with using 4 sticks of RAM in the Neo2. Is it a good idea to have 2 512 sticks and 1 1GB stick? If I can use 4 sticks, should I get the exact same model as my old RAM or can I use Corsair value RAM instead?

 

[secretanchitman]

if you use 2x512MB and 1x1GB sticks, you'll lose the dual-channel. but since you are on AMD, it shouldnt matter too much.

i would always recommend using 2x256MB/2x512MB/2x1GB sticks for overclocking, as any more might (probably will) lower you overclock. ive also heard that if you use 4 sticks, the memory drops from 1T to 2T, though i havent seen make much of a difference in terms of performance (2-5%).

 

[Shadow Conception]

And a percentage of that type really isn't noticeable by an ordinary human.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
if you use 2x512MB and 1x1GB sticks, you'll lose the dual-channel. but since you are on AMD, it shouldnt matter too much.

i would always recommend using 2x256MB/2x512MB/2x1GB sticks for overclocking, as any more might (probably will) lower you overclock. ive also heard that if you use 4 sticks, the memory drops from 1T to 2T, though i havent seen make much of a difference in terms of performance (2-5%).

I have value RAM, so I'm not concerned with overclocking.

 

[fireontheway]

Having value ram does not mean no overclocking,hence the beauty of dividers.

 

[Azndude51]

So I should just get one, 1GB stick?

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: Azndude51
So I should just get one, 1GB stick?

NO! three sticks is not the way to go. Get 2 x 1gig. AMD memory contrillers defaulr to DDR333 and command rate 2T (hence the 5% penalty) if more than two sticks are used.

"should I get the exact same model as my old RAM or can I use Corsair value RAM instead?" You can use any brand DDR memory, with any speed specification. It's just that some will be faster than you can take advantage of and some will be too slow.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: Azndude51
So I should just get one, 1GB stick?

NO! three sticks is not the way to go. Get 2 x 1gig. AMD memory contrillers defaulr to DDR333 and command rate 2T (hence the 5% penalty) if more than two sticks are used.

"should I get the exact same model as my old RAM or can I use Corsair value RAM instead?" You can use any brand DDR memory, with any speed specification. It's just that some will be faster than you can take advantage of and some will be too slow.

I just don't want to go through the trouble of selling my old sticks.

 

[ND40oz]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: Azndude51
So I should just get one, 1GB stick?

NO! three sticks is not the way to go. Get 2 x 1gig. AMD memory contrillers defaulr to DDR333 and command rate 2T (hence the 5% penalty) if more than two sticks are used.

No, this isn't true. You only revert to DDR333 when all 4 banks are filled and you have a pre Rev. E chip. You will revert to 2T when you have all 4 banks filled. This is all entirely dependent on your chips memory controller and what rev. you have. Since you state a 90 nm, you either have a winny or a venice, most likely a winny do to your Neo 2 board. That chip won't be able to do DDR400 with four banks filled, but will be able to do it with 3 banks filled.

 

[Azndude51]

So pretty much the only benefit of going 2x1gb instead of 2x512mb + 1gb is that I can run dual channel, is that correct? Would the benefits of dual channel be worth going through the trouble of selling my old sticks of RAM then having to buy new ones?

 

[Billb2]

That's up to you.

 

[Azndude51]

I looked at my Mobo manual, apparently if I want to get DDR400 with 3 or more sticks I'm going to have to get single a single sided stick. It's going to be hard to find a stick that has single sided since manufacturers don't list it if they do. I guess I'll just get these since there is a big rebate and then I'll sell my old sticks.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: Azndude51
I'll just get these since there is a big rebate and then I'll sell my old sticks.

You'll be very happy with those. Here's what I got with them. http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc?id=89624

 

[Zerhyn]

Originally posted by: Azndude51
I'll just get these since there is a big rebate and then I'll sell my old sticks.

Dangit! I found those a couple of days ago. But then when i went back to order them i couldn't find them. so i had to order these Text

 

[Billb2]

[/quote]
Dangit! I found those a couple of days ago. But then when i went back to order them i couldn't find them. so i had to order these [/quote] You'll b a happy camper. When you get them, look for a Rev No. on the label on the sticks. That will tell you what IC's are on them, and help you to find info on OCing them.