One of my 4 memory cards is junk, replace with a different one?

[JohnnyScience]

Ok I original bought 4x2g of these:

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL6D-4GBNQ

They are rated 6-6-6-18 with a Cas Latency of 6, also have a speed of DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Now since I only need to replace 1 stick, I figured try to get the same exact stick, but it seems they dont sell the exact ones any more.

So I was going to get this single 2g stick of G.Skill's:

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5S-2GBPQ

But it seems to be rated a bit slower?

5-5-5-15, lower voltage, a Cas Latency of 5 & its speed is DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

Will this limit the computers ability to really perform at it's highest possible rate of 8g if the 4th stick is slower like that?

 

[Fumz]

Don't buy the single stick. It's never a good idea to mix memory. Always buy your RAM in matched pairs.

The new memory is a different speed, and so the board will default to the slowest stick's frequency, in this case, 800MHz instead of 1066MHz. The timings are different, so you'll also be running looser. Most importantly though is the voltage; they're different, so you don't want any part of this mess in your machine.

G.Skill usually has a lifetime warranty. Give em a call. Since the product is discontinued, you may very well end up with a new kit.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Ok good, thats what I thought.

I'll contact G.Skill, I wasnt aware of the warranty. Hopefully they take care of me.

Thanks.

 

[Fumz]

You're welcome.

btw... at the bottom of the details page it says your kit has, "Lifetime limited" warranty, for parts and labor... I'm positive they'll just send you a new kit. Hopefully the RMA process won't keep you off the rig for too long?