Weird lag in seemingly ALL applications.

If you look at the RAM suited to your application, it appears that you have mixed three different types of memory.

See Corsair for the details of what you can use.

Monk

Fletchrr said:

Thanks for the replies guys.

I downloaded HWMonitor and here is the result:

http://i46.tinypic.com/260y26x.jpg

My room at the moment is rather warm, I have the side panel off to try to counteract that. It's been a while since I went around my machine with an air duster though.

One thing I'd like to note is that while I was doing this WoW seemed to run a little better, although not as good as it should be (roughly 20-25fps~) and it still suffered from the same lag at sporadic intervals.

HMonk - do you think that could be the cause of the issue? Like I said I never had any problems like this in XP, and I used the same RAM. I'm thinking of buying a 4GB kit soon to replace them, I'd just like to know if it could actually be that so I dont just waste my money :<

The short answer is yes.

The long answer follows and is quoted from KnowBrainer Forums.


"The type of RAM that you use is irrelevant to DNS. RAM is entirely a hardware issue. If it works, fine. DNS doesn't care.
However, be very careful about mismatching RAM. Depending upon your motherboard and your CPU, you can have anywhere from 4 to 6 memory slots.
1. Never mix and match RAM from different manufacturers. The RAM that you use must have the same exact specifications for all RAM chips. Occasionally, as long as you properly match the specifications, you can use different manufacturers. However, 9 times out of 10 you got a run into problems if you do this. Therefore, it is never recommend. Always purchase RAM with the same exact specifications from the same manufacturer unless you know exactly what you're doing. Rule of thumb is if you're using Kingston, then replace or add ram from Kingston. If you using Corsair, then use Corsair, etc.
2. You cannot install RAM that has different specifications. That is, for example, if you're using Corsair 667 MHz DDR2, than any RAM that you're adding to your system must have the same exact specifications as the RAM chips that are installed. That is, they must be 667 MHz DDR2 and they must use the same voltage, etc. If you try to add 800 MHz RAM to a system that has currently 667 MHz DDR2 or if you try to add DDR3 RAM to a system that is using DDR2 RAM, it won't work. That is, your system won't even boot up and you'll get for beeps at start up that indicates the RAM is incompatible. Always match RAM.
3. You can use RAM chips that have the same specifications but different sizes. For example, each RAM slot is numbered 0 through 4 or 0 through 6. As long as the RAM that you are installing has the same core specification, you can put a 1 x 2 GB RAM chip in slot 0 and oh 1 x 4 GB RAM chip in slot 1, etc.. However, because most of the current CPUs run dual channel RAM, slot 0 and slot 2 comprise channel 0, and slot one and slot 4 comprise channel 1. If you only have to RAM chips, then you should insert them as noted in channel 0. If you have 4 RAM chips then you should insert them so that slot 0 and slot 2 have the same size and same specifications (i.e., 1 x 2 GB, 1 x 1 GB, 1 x 4 GB). The same applies to slot one and slot 4. This is what they mean by matching RAM in addition to making sure that all RAM chips are from the same manufacturer can have the same voltage and speed specifications.
4. depending upon the number of RAM chips that you have you should always populate channel 0 (slot 0 and slot 2) first and then populate channel 1 (slot 1 and slot 3). Remember we're talking computers here so all hardware designations start with 0. So, if you have 4 RAM slots they are labeled 0 , 1 , 2 , and 3, not 1, 2, 3, 4. Remember, computers don't count the way we do. RAM channels are numbered 0 and 1, not 1 and 2. So, just to reiterate, populate channel 0 (slot 0 and slot 2) first and then populate channel 1 (slot 1 and slot 3).
The bottom line is, to be safe, do the following:
1. Check with your motherboard manufacturer regarding CPU and compatible RAM specifically with regard to your motherboard and FSB (Front Side Bus) speed for your CPU.
2. Use the same manufacturer. Although you can mix and match to a certain extent, it's not recommended for anyone who is a novice with regard to hardware. If you run into trouble you won't understand what's going on and how to remedy it.
3. You can't mix RAM speeds. That is, you can't mix 667 MHz with 800 MHz RAM chips.
4. You can't mix and DDR2 with DDR3 RAM chips, and you can only use DDR3 if your motherboard and CPU support it.
5. You can't install RAM that is faster then your FSB (Front Side Bus) speed. If your CPU has an FSB (Front Side Bus) speed of 800 MHz, you can sometimes use 800 MHz RAM, but you can't use higher speed RAM unless the CPU & the motherboard support it (i.e., you can't install 1066 MHz RAM on a system where the CPU only supports an FSB (Front Side Bus) speed of 800 MHz) no matter what the motherboard specifications are. You are limited to RAM speed that is supported by the CPU. In addition, there are occasions when even though the FSB (Front Side Bus) speed is 800 MHz, 800 MHz RAM chips may not work properly. The rule of thumb is that your safest by backing your RAM speed off to the next lowest level (i.e., CPU FSB (Front Side Bus) speed 800 MHz, RAM speed 667 MHz). If you're motherboard manufacturer says that the motherboard will support RAM speeds up to and including the CPU FSB (Front Side Bus) speed, then you can go for that. However, if it doesn't work for what ever reason, get back to your motherboard manufacturer and complain bitterly. Your only option at this point is to exchange the RAM for the next lowest RAM speed.
6. If RAM that you install is incompatible or incorrectly installed, the BIOS posttest will prompt you with four continuous beeps. If you get that when you start up your system, your RAM is either incompatible or incorrectly installed. Regardless, your system won't boot. That is, you'll get no video and the for beeps, so you won't even be able to get into your BIOS to make appropriate changes.
7. If you're a novice at computer hardware, I recommend you get someone who knows what they're doing to install your RAM. However, the bottom line is do your homework and make sure that whatever RAM you purchase is compatible with your CPU (FSB (Front Side Bus)) and your motherboard. If necessary get your motherboard manufacturer on the phone. It generally is fairly easy to research RAM online re: compatibility. Nevertheless, don't play games with RAM if you're not sure what you're doing. I can't count the number of times on both fans and both feet that one of my clients made a basic and simple mistake installing RAM, or purchasing and installing RAM and pull their hair out for three days before they called me, after which it took me three minutes to figure out and solve the problem.
8. Laptops are completely different issue. Laptops must have matched RAM chips. They can be different sizes, otherwise they must match exactly.
Chuck Runquist
Technical Project Manager
VoiceTeach LLC"

I cannot say for sure that Chuck's protocol for populating the RAM slots is universal. To be sure, check your mobo install manual and verify how to populate the RAM slots depending on the number/type of RAM sticks being installed.

Monk