Memory upgrade question

[alanb]

Suppose a computer currently has four memory slots, each with a 512MB memory module in it.

New memory for this computer is $129/GB, and it only comes in 1GB modules.

There are two possible options:

(i) buy 2GB of new memory, stick 1GB modules in slots 1 and 2, and keep the original 512MB modules in slots 3 and 4. End result = 3GB installed, and 2x512MB modules sitting in a box in the closet somewhere... Cost = $258.

(ii) buy 1GB of new memory, stick it in slot 1, and keep the original 512MB modules in slots 2, 3 and 4. End result = 2.5GB installed, and 1x512MB module sitting in that box in the closet... Cost = $129.

I seem to remember that it is recommended (?) to only keep equally-sized pairs of memory modules in paired slots... is this correct?

What, if any, are the disadvantages of a setup like option (ii) above?

A little extra memory would be nice, but this computer's CPU seems to get overloaded long before the RAM runs out... so it's not at all clear that the extra $129 is worth it... since it will only buy half a GB of more memory... that is, of course, unless there are problems with pairing different-sized memory modules that would make it necessary to buy a new pair of same-sized modules in any case.

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

.

[Nick Batzdorf]

The conventional wisdom is that PCs like to have matched RAM, or at least that's been the much-repeated wisdom about the motherboards that have been around the past few years.

However, in your situation I'd be tempted to start with one 1GB stick and see how it works. If it doesn't, add a second.

That assumes your motherboard works properly without pairs.

[cm]

i'd like to add that _all_ computers like to have matched RAM, even those before dual channel memory became common [;)]
i'd have a look into the manual of your motherboard to see which type of memory is supported by your chipset (speed, layout, size, dual channel or not) and make my decision based on this information.
if you are mixing RAM at least try to get sticks with the same or a very similar timing to avoid unexpected side-effects.
christian

[DG]

@cm said:

i'd like to add that _all_ computers like to have matched RAM, even those before dual channel memory became common [;)]
i'd have a look into the manual of your motherboard to see which type of memory is supported by your chipset (speed, layout, size, dual channel or not) and make my decision based on this information.
if you are mixing RAM at least try to get sticks with the same or a very similar timing to avoid unexpected side-effects.
christian

I would suggest using the Crucial memory application as that will probably be able to tell you exactly what memory you can install.

DG