RAM question

HawMan · 07-19-2006, 11:31 AM

Hey all.

Does any Brand of RAM work in any type of Motherboard? Im going to get 1GB of DDR266 RAM ( fastest my motherboard can take ), but if i was to buy 2x 512ddr266 Of Kingston RAM would it :

1. Fit in my motherboard ok ( Gigabyte GA8SIML )
2. Be faster than a normal 512DDR266 stick of RAM, which has no brand.

And Also, if there is no point in me paying abit more for Kingston RAM, could i just buy another 512DDR400 ( already got 1x 512DDR400 and 1x 256ddr266 )? i know they would automatically go to ddr266 but would it run in Dual Chanel?

thanks for the replys.

ebackhus · 07-19-2006, 03:52 PM

Most any RAM will work in a board that supports that type. I think GigaByte has an area that'll tell you what brands are certified to work with a specific board.

As for mixing speeds... The fastest RAM will clock down to the speed of the lowest stick installed. If you mix a PC3200 and a PC1600 then BOTH will run at just PC1600.

A wise man once said that your PC is only as fast as the slowest component in it.

HawMan · 07-19-2006, 07:30 PM

thanks.

would i see much difference in speed between -

Kingston 512 MB DDR400
or 512 MB DDR400 ( seen here - http://webplus.silicon-group.co.uk/a...GRADES_41.html)

I know my mobo supports DDR266 only, but im already running 1x 512ddr400 stick ( which i know is running at DDR266 due to my mobo speed ), so i would rather buy another one rather than get 2x 512ddr266.

sorry if this is confusing, its confusing for me trying to get my question across .

thanks for your time.

crazijoe · 07-19-2006, 07:55 PM

If it was me I would just get another 512 stick of DDR400. It will only run at DDR266 but if you decide to upgrade later, you'll be set for memory.

HawMan · 07-19-2006, 08:09 PM

yeah thats what i was going to do crazijoe.

Going to get another 512mb of RAM, and a 9600XT ( or a 9800Pro ) just depends. Should make my FPS increase abit.

07-19-2006, 11:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,941 OS: Win XP My System	RAM question Hey all. Does any Brand of RAM work in any type of Motherboard? Im going to get 1GB of DDR266 RAM ( fastest my motherboard can take ), but if i was to buy 2x 512ddr266 Of Kingston RAM would it : 1. Fit in my motherboard ok ( Gigabyte GA8SIML ) 2. Be faster than a normal 512DDR266 stick of RAM, which has no brand. And Also, if there is no point in me paying abit more for Kingston RAM, could i just buy another 512DDR400 ( already got 1x 512DDR400 and 1x 256ddr266 )? i know they would automatically go to ddr266 but would it run in Dual Chanel? thanks for the replys.

07-19-2006, 03:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,285 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Most any RAM will work in a board that supports that type. I think GigaByte has an area that'll tell you what brands are certified to work with a specific board. As for mixing speeds... The fastest RAM will clock down to the speed of the lowest stick installed. If you mix a PC3200 and a PC1600 then BOTH will run at just PC1600. A wise man once said that your PC is only as fast as the slowest component in it. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

07-19-2006, 07:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	If it was me I would just get another 512 stick of DDR400. It will only run at DDR266 but if you decide to upgrade later, you'll be set for memory. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

07-19-2006, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,941 OS: Win XP My System	thanks. would i see much difference in speed between - Kingston 512 MB DDR400 or 512 MB DDR400 ( seen here - http://webplus.silicon-group.co.uk/a...GRADES_41.html) I know my mobo supports DDR266 only, but im already running 1x 512ddr400 stick ( which i know is running at DDR266 due to my mobo speed ), so i would rather buy another one rather than get 2x 512ddr266. sorry if this is confusing, its confusing for me trying to get my question across . thanks for your time.

07-19-2006, 08:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,941 OS: Win XP My System	yeah thats what i was going to do crazijoe. Going to get another 512mb of RAM, and a 9600XT ( or a 9800Pro ) just depends. Should make my FPS increase abit.