Mixing RAM

seekermeister · 17 Jan 2010

I've been thinking about buying some more ram, because I have read here that some believe that more than 2-4GBs is needed to get proper performance out of W7 x64, but I do not want to waste what I already have. To be able to increase the RAM on both of my rigs, I would need to buy 2 sticks of 2GB, and put one in each rig, along with 3 1GB sticks, for a total of 5GBs each. However, I know that mixing brands and types can cause problems, but if I get the same brand, with the same timings, will that have adverse effects...would dual mode still work?

computersplus · 17 Jan 2010

for dual channel to work properly you need match pairs same size speed and timings I would recommend using same brand also

valtonray · 17 Jan 2010

dual mode will work as long as the pairs match. my laptop runs 7 in 64bit with only 4gb ram and it runs smoothly even though it is a weaker system though, i stand by the fact that for the average user 4 gb is adequate for windows 7 64 bit, below that i think your better off with 32 bit though for normal use.

seekermeister · 17 Jan 2010

Hmm, I was afraid that you guys would say that. With the price of the old PC3200 ram, I can't afford to replace all of the ram, so I guess that I will simply get another couple of sticks, just for my secondary rig, and wait until I'm ready to upgrade my socket 939 systems, before buying any more.

zigzag3143 · 17 Jan 2010

seekermeister said:

I've been thinking about buying some more ram, because I have read here that some believe that more than 2-4GBs is needed to get proper performance out of W7 x64, but I do not want to waste what I already have. To be able to increase the RAM on both of my rigs, I would need to buy 2 sticks of 2GB, and put one in each rig, along with 3 1GB sticks, for a total of 5GBs each. However, I know that mixing brands and types can cause problems, but if I get the same brand, with the same timings, will that have adverse effects...would dual mode still work?

It may not. memory is sold in matched sticks. you buy 2 identical packages and they may not work together. Buy all four in one package they will be matched.

Hope this helps

Ken J+

computersplus · 17 Jan 2010

ram is dirt cheap now compared to what it used to be years ago you can get 2 gigs of DDR2 800 for $50 free shipping

computersplus · 17 Jan 2010

zigzag3143 said:

seekermeister said:

I've been thinking about buying some more ram, because I have read here that some believe that more than 2-4GBs is needed to get proper performance out of W7 x64, but I do not want to waste what I already have. To be able to increase the RAM on both of my rigs, I would need to buy 2 sticks of 2GB, and put one in each rig, along with 3 1GB sticks, for a total of 5GBs each. However, I know that mixing brands and types can cause problems, but if I get the same brand, with the same timings, will that have adverse effects...would dual mode still work?

It may not. memory is sold in matched sticks. you buy 2 identical packages and they may not work together. Buy all four in one package they will be matched.

Hope this helps

Ken J+

this is true check very close what you are buying

bobkn · 17 Jan 2010

seekermeister said:

I've been thinking about buying some more ram, because I have read here that some believe that more than 2-4GBs is needed to get proper performance out of W7 x64, but I do not want to waste what I already have. To be able to increase the RAM on both of my rigs, I would need to buy 2 sticks of 2GB, and put one in each rig, along with 3 1GB sticks, for a total of 5GBs each. However, I know that mixing brands and types can cause problems, but if I get the same brand, with the same timings, will that have adverse effects...would dual mode still work?

The largest DDR DIMMs that the A8N-SLI and the A8N32-SLI can accept are 1GB. The maximum memory for each board is 4GB.

The manual for the A8N-SLI recommends uisng the same capacity DIMMs in a channel (pair) to get dual-channel operation.

Also, DIMMs made with 128Mb memory chips or double-sided X16 memory are not supported. (I'm not familiar with those.)

I get the feeling that X64 may not be attractive on these old boards. (The A8N-SLI was one of my favorites. It continues to run well for a friend, with 2GB of RAM, in XP.)

ignatzatsonic · 18 Jan 2010

Sealed packs of multiple sticks typically have consecutive serial numbers--as you might expect as they roll down the assembly line and receive serial numbers in sequence. In that case, "matching" means down to the level of consecutive serial numbers.

Imagine 4 sticks coming down the same line at the same time, back to back. Sticks 1 and 3 go to package A and sticks 2 and 4 go to package B. A stick from package A and a stick from package B are as identical as both sticks in either pack--other than the serial number--and would certainly "match" as well. In this case "matching" does not mean consecutive serial numbers.

I talked to Crucial support once and they told me that identical part numbers may not even look alike. I called them because I had multiple sticks certified for my board and with the same part number--some had chips on both sides and some were single-sided. All worked equally well.

I have had good experience with Crucial's configurator, but wonder if it may have errors based on what their support told me?

I have heard anecdotally that the "matching" issue is not as critical as it once was, but the "in the same package" thing is helpful to neophytes who might otherwise really go astray. Form factor and voltage remain important.

I have not heard about multiple brands causing an issue lately, assuming quality vendors and equivalent specs. Maybe RAM standards are being more closely adhered to by the major players?

I don't know how much faith to put in "verified" RAM lists put together by motherboard vendors. The last few I have looked at have all had a qualifying notice to the effect that "there are so many brands, voltages, and capacities out there that this list is incomplete and will remain incomplete".