Looking at more RAM

[AiponGkooja]

Right now I have 2x512mb of OCZ Enhanced Latency PC3200 2-3-2-6 ram in my A8N-SLI Deluxe. I was wondering if I should get another pack of that and plug it in the two remaining slots, or get 2x1gb of something similar and put it in with what I have, OR get 2x1gb and just REPLACE what I already have in there. I'm not sure how RAM compatibility works, so I was thinking that the safest thing to do was to get more of the exact same sticks and just use those. What happens when you pair up RAM of different timings/etc? I just want to go from 1 to 2gb, but if I got 2x1gb and I COULD use it with my 2x512's I would do that and just have 3gb *shrug*

Thanks for any input,
Aip

 

[imported_Kensai]

Add more.
You'll be running as fast as the slowest module will let you.

 

[AiponGkooja]

So I can use This with my 2x512 and it will work fine? Running at the 2-3-2-6 timings of my current RAM?

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: AiponGkooja
So I can use This with my 2x512 and it will work fine? Running at the 2-3-2-6 timings of my current RAM?

I would say sell off your 2x512 and just get that 2x1GB set. You'll be downclocked to DDR333 if you leave all four sticks in, and 3GB is really overkill for most games/apps nowadays, unless you run heavy 3d modeling/CAD work.

 

[AiponGkooja]

I am not an established buyer/seller anywhere, so I wouldn't know how to get rid of them unless I can find someone that I actually know who wants them...same problem I'm going to have with my 6600gt when I get my 7800gtx. And I thought you only get downclocked if you want to leave it in 1T (don't know much about it, just remember reading it somewhere)

Edit: Also, will I even notice the difference from it being downclocked? I mean, I'll have 3gb of ram, which is more than I need for any of the gaming I'm going to do...

 

[TechHead99]

I'd say get 2 more of what you've got now to make them run in 2 dual channel modes. And you can always sell on ebay..

 

[AiponGkooja]

Just want to ask again, will getting 2x1gb and running them WITH my 2x512mb work fine? I'm guessing the gain from more RAM overshadows the performance hit from being downclocked (if it even IS downclocked...)?

Again, I only ask because I don't have a way to sell the 2x512mb anyway (I've never liked ebay, looks too insecure, even though TONS of people use it *shrug*)

 

[suszterpatt]

Get rid of the old RAM, buy 2x1GB. It can't hurt to have some extra memory lying around even if you can't sell it (troubleshooting, etc). Plus less, faster memory is better for gaming than more, slower (I'm assuming you use the comp for gaming, otherwise you wouldn't be running on 1GB now )

 

[AiponGkooja]

Yeah, primarily gaming. Thanks

 

[AiponGkooja]

double-post, sorry, I hate my internet

 

[AiponGkooja]

I want to mention that I don't OC at all and some system specs are:

A8N-SLI Deluxe
Athlon 64 3500+
7800gtx
Used mostly for gaming

I don't think I want to get value ram, because it seems too random for performance, but I don't need really high end stuff either if I don't OC, right? What's a good set to get for 2x1gb sticks?

 

[suszterpatt]

Corsair, Crucial or OCZ value RAM is perfectly reliable, but I didn't have any problems with my Infineon and Samsung either (apart from slower timings, but that doesn't matter much on an A64 sytem).