512 256 ram

**toxict3arz** · 08-23-2006, 02:38 PM

is it okay to add in a 512mb and a 256mb ram togheter?

is it recommended?

will it make a big difference?

**linderman** · 08-23-2006, 02:56 PM

hello Toxic:

yes you can generally add a 512 with a 256 however if your motherboard is dual channel capable installing two mismatched sticks will cause you motherboard to run in single channel mode instead of dual channel mode which translates to a 15 to 20% loss of potential performance capability.

Thats why most ram nowdays are sold in matched pairs >>>> when you install a matched pair of ram sticks into a mobo the mobo will run in dual channel mode

post your mobo model and we can teoll you if its dual channel capable if your mobo in not dual channel capable then; no you wont lose anything my installing mismatched sticks

**toxict3arz** · 08-23-2006, 03:04 PM

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:ASUS%20P...NlYwNiZ3NpYg--

HawMan · 08-23-2006, 03:15 PM

yeah its DDR, so it will probably run in Single channel...

im running 1x 512 and 1x 256, havent had a problem with it, but like linderman said, it will run in single channel, unless you buy a dual channel kit.

**toxict3arz** · 08-23-2006, 03:23 PM

wats the difference between a single and a dual channel ?

**Ralck** · 08-23-2006, 05:34 PM

Dual channel doubles the bandwith. With DDR memory, that means dual channel runs at 6.4GB/s instead of the single channel 3.2GB/s. This is most noticable in gaming and other memory intensive things. I don't believe your motherboard has that capability though.

ebackhus · 08-23-2006, 05:35 PM

On a single channel system the memory controller reads the data on a 64-bit data path. A dual-channel system runs this at 128-bit, thus doubling the amount of data being sent though each cycle.

**linderman** · 08-23-2006, 06:00 PM

youre fine with adding a 256 and a 512 together you board does not run dual channel >>>>> aboard must have at least a 800mhz FSB to be dual channel capable

youre fine = enjoy !

**toxict3arz** · 08-23-2006, 06:10 PM

will there be a big change in my computers performance if a 256 is added?

HawMan · 08-24-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

youre fine with adding a 256 and a 512 together you board does not run dual channel >>>>> aboard must have at least a 800mhz FSB to be dual channel capable

youre fine = enjoy !

is that 800mhz FSB for the CPU? I thaught as long as the board took DDR RAM then it would run in dual channel?

Guess my gigabyte GA8SIML wont run in dual channel then? CPU FSB is 400mhz and my ram is only DDR266 :(

btw i doubt youll see much increase from 512 to 768. I had 256mb and added the 512mb, i saw a difference coz my rig sucked lol... Try it anyway and see what ya think

**MunkyPhil** · 08-24-2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

On a single channel system the memory controller reads the data on a 64-bit data path. A dual-channel system runs this at 128-bit, thus doubling the amount of data being sent though each cycle.

Just for clarity, isn't this the way AMD's do it? I thought Intel chipsets used two 64 bit channels as opposed to a single 128 bit channel.

08-23-2006, 02:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
toxict3arz TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,283 OS: windows XP Pro	512 256 ram is it okay to add in a 512mb and a 256mb ram togheter? is it recommended? will it make a big difference?

08-23-2006, 02:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	hello Toxic: yes you can generally add a 512 with a 256 however if your motherboard is dual channel capable installing two mismatched sticks will cause you motherboard to run in single channel mode instead of dual channel mode which translates to a 15 to 20% loss of potential performance capability. Thats why most ram nowdays are sold in matched pairs >>>> when you install a matched pair of ram sticks into a mobo the mobo will run in dual channel mode post your mobo model and we can teoll you if its dual channel capable if your mobo in not dual channel capable then; no you wont lose anything my installing mismatched sticks __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

08-23-2006, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Dual channel doubles the bandwith. With DDR memory, that means dual channel runs at 6.4GB/s instead of the single channel 3.2GB/s. This is most noticable in gaming and other memory intensive things. I don't believe your motherboard has that capability though. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

08-23-2006, 05:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,255 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	On a single channel system the memory controller reads the data on a 64-bit data path. A dual-channel system runs this at 128-bit, thus doubling the amount of data being sent though each cycle. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-23-2006, 06:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	youre fine with adding a 256 and a 512 together you board does not run dual channel >>>>> aboard must have at least a 800mhz FSB to be dual channel capable youre fine = enjoy ! __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

08-23-2006, 03:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
toxict3arz TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,283 OS: windows XP Pro	http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:ASUS%20P...NlYwNiZ3NpYg--

08-23-2006, 03:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,939 OS: Win XP My System	yeah its DDR, so it will probably run in Single channel... im running 1x 512 and 1x 256, havent had a problem with it, but like linderman said, it will run in single channel, unless you buy a dual channel kit.

08-23-2006, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
toxict3arz TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,283 OS: windows XP Pro	wats the difference between a single and a dual channel ?

08-23-2006, 06:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
toxict3arz TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,283 OS: windows XP Pro	will there be a big change in my computers performance if a 256 is added?