DDR verses DDR dual Channel

[LittleMiss]

my MB says it will support
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin Memory Standard DDR2 1200 (OC) / 1066 /800 / 667 Maximum Memory Supported 16GB Channel Supported Dual Channel yet when i look for DDR Dual Channel, the highest is PC-3200 400 hz and 400 hz is to low? for my MB

am i missing some thing here?

i want to up grade from the Corsair CM2x1024-5400c4 at 667 hz

i am having a Blondie day-week-month

 

[Lemur]

From Crucial:
240-pin DDR2 DIMM Banking: 4 (2 banks of 2)
Chipset: AMD 785G
DDR2 SDRAM Frequencies: PC2-5300, PC2-6400, PC2-8500 and PC2-9600
Error Detection Support: Non-ECC only
Graphics Support: PCI Express x16
Max Component Density: 2048
Max Unbuffered DDR2 SDRAM: 16384MB
Module Types Supported: Unbuffered only
Supported DRAM Types: DDR2 SDRAM only
USB Support: 2.x Compliant

Go to Crucial and have it scan your motherboard

 

[LittleMiss]

the scan said


Q: What memory goes into my computer, and can I mix speeds?
A: DDR2 memory with support for DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-8500 speeds.

it does not "SAY" i "CAN" mix pc2-5300 and pc-8500's ?

so whats the word on that option

 

[Wishmaster]

Can you? Yes

Should you? NO

this is why:

If you Mix a DDR2 667 module for example with a DDR2 800 Module, then the settings of the RAM should default to the slowest of the bunch.

In this case, it would all run at DDR2 667, defaeting the purpose of faster RAM. You can not run at 800, because the slower set may not be able to keep up.

But thats not the only reason you shouldnt.

Ram is all different, from Voltages it needs for a certain speed, to the Timings it is capable of.
Theres also more than just the basic 4 timings (such as 5-5-5-15 ). There are many subtimings , as well as the chips themselves being different.

This can lead to all sorts of problems when mixed & matched.
Instability, BSODS etc related to RAM.

Sometimes it does work however.


If you want to upgrade the RAM, your best bet is to purchase in matched pairs, and do way with the old all together.

As far as the Dual Channel goes, any DDR2 should be capable.
Your Motherboard will handle that when you install them. It should have color coded slots in fact.
It may be 2 red slots and 2 yellow slots for example. Placing the 2 new sticks in the same color slots, defaults to Dual channel memory.


However, some boards may be slightly different.

My suggestion would be, if you are not Overclocking:
Find a matched set of some good DR2 PC6400 (or DDR2 800Mhz) witha CAS 4 rating. Meaning timings of 4-4-4-12.
2x2GB set would be good. For a total of 4GB.

1066 RAM (or PC8500) is really only useful if you are Overclocking.

Gskill & Corsair are also excellent brands.

 

[LittleMiss]

Thank you very much great info