Different Ram

Paulie · 04-17-2005, 08:29 PM

Hi folks, I have a quick question.
My computer is about 4 years old and as such I have 2 old sticks of DDRRAM 256 with a FSB of 266Hz.
So Yesterday I bought 2 512's at 400hz, and I was wondering as I have 4 memory slots, would it effect performance or just be a bad thing to use the old ram with the new stuff, or would it be unnoticeable?
Thanks

**norin** · 04-17-2005, 08:37 PM

generally my rule of thumb is as follows:

treat memory modules as you would batterys, don't mix and match, and don't put in backwards.

i would only suggest using memory of the same type, speed, and such.

this is a rule i live by when working on and upgrading computers. this works for me.

101 · 04-17-2005, 09:39 PM

Besides compatibility issues, remember that the faster module will run as fast as the slower so yes, you'll have a performance hit.

crazijoe · 04-18-2005, 07:07 AM

Since your old RAM is 266MHz, then new memory will run at 266MHz. However, if the latency of your old RAM is better that your new RAM, this will degrade your speed to the latancy of your new RAM. This is where you will notice the difference. If this was my machine, I would just use the 1GB of new memory.

Paulie · 04-18-2005, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the replies folks, I was thinking along those lines and I am glad I got the answer I wanted.
Much appreciated!

04-17-2005, 08:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paulie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 9 OS: XP	Different Ram Hi folks, I have a quick question. My computer is about 4 years old and as such I have 2 old sticks of DDRRAM 256 with a FSB of 266Hz. So Yesterday I bought 2 512's at 400hz, and I was wondering as I have 4 memory slots, would it effect performance or just be a bad thing to use the old ram with the new stuff, or would it be unnoticeable? Thanks Last edited by Paulie; 04-17-2005 at 08:49 PM.

04-17-2005, 08:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
norin TSF Veteran Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: L-Town, Maine Posts: 1,748 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System	generally my rule of thumb is as follows: treat memory modules as you would batterys, don't mix and match, and don't put in backwards. i would only suggest using memory of the same type, speed, and such. this is a rule i live by when working on and upgrading computers. this works for me. __________________

04-18-2005, 07:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	Since your old RAM is 266MHz, then new memory will run at 266MHz. However, if the latency of your old RAM is better that your new RAM, this will degrade your speed to the latancy of your new RAM. This is where you will notice the difference. If this was my machine, I would just use the 1GB of new 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

04-17-2005, 09:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
101 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 126 OS: 2k Pro	Besides compatibility issues, remember that the faster module will run as fast as the slower so yes, you'll have a performance hit.

04-18-2005, 09:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Paulie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 9 OS: XP	Thanks for the replies folks, I was thinking along those lines and I am glad I got the answer I wanted. Much appreciated!