a few RAM questions

confrontation · 08-06-2007, 01:06 AM

1st...what is the difference between DDR and DDR2?

2nd... if i have 2 x 512 ram and its running on single channels can i change it to dual channel?

3rd... i was told about DDR that if u have a 512 card and a 256 card the computer would only read the 512 as a 256, so only giving a total of 512 all up anyway...is it true?

**mattlock** · 08-06-2007, 02:50 AM

1) http://www.crucial.com/kb/answer.aspx?qid=4081

2) It depends on both your motherboard and the ram. The motherboard has to support dual channel memory and the ram must be installed into the proper DIMM slots (Usually the two slots that are the same color). The RAM has to be the same size and speed (the exact same ram make and model is the best way to go) meaning that both sticks would have to 512mb PC3200 for example.

3) Not true. If you install to different speeds the higher rated ram will be downclocked to the lower speed. For example, if you install a 256mb stick of PC2700 along side a 512mb stick of PC3200 you would have 768mb of available but it would all be running as PC2700. This applies to all ram however, not just DDR.

I hope this clears things up for you.
Please post back with any comments, questions or concerns.

confrontation · 08-06-2007, 03:19 AM

thanks it helped a lot...i will google my motherboard to see if it supports dual channeling...thanks again..

and btw...the question about the 512 and 256 ram...im going to throw it in a damn Australians face .,,(i'm a kiwi...New Zealand we dont get along xD)

coolday · 08-06-2007, 03:25 AM

1. ddr2's ram has a notch slightly closer to center of the ram and runs a lower voltage ~ 1.8v

3. It is not true

2. don't thinks so

**speedster123** · 08-06-2007, 05:38 AM

Quote:

im going to throw it in a damn Australians face

No, you dont want to do that. We have a large population of Australians on this forum.

confrontation · 08-07-2007, 01:58 AM

oh...damn...sorry

08-06-2007, 01:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
confrontation Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 164 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64x	a few RAM questions 1st...what is the difference between DDR and DDR2? 2nd... if i have 2 x 512 ram and its running on single channels can i change it to dual channel? 3rd... i was told about DDR that if u have a 512 card and a 256 card the computer would only read the 512 as a 256, so only giving a total of 512 all up anyway...is it true?

08-06-2007, 02:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: a few RAM questions 1) http://www.crucial.com/kb/answer.aspx?qid=4081 2) It depends on both your motherboard and the ram. The motherboard has to support dual channel memory and the ram must be installed into the proper DIMM slots (Usually the two slots that are the same color). The RAM has to be the same size and speed (the exact same ram make and model is the best way to go) meaning that both sticks would have to 512mb PC3200 for example. 3) Not true. If you install to different speeds the higher rated ram will be downclocked to the lower speed. For example, if you install a 256mb stick of PC2700 along side a 512mb stick of PC3200 you would have 768mb of available but it would all be running as PC2700. This applies to all ram however, not just DDR. I hope this clears things up for you. Please post back with any comments, questions or concerns. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

08-06-2007, 03:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
confrontation Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 164 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64x	Re: a few RAM questions thanks it helped a lot...i will google my motherboard to see if it supports dual channeling...thanks again.. and btw...the question about the 512 and 256 ram...im going to throw it in a damn Australians face .,,(i'm a kiwi...New Zealand we dont get along xD)

08-06-2007, 03:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
coolday Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 337 OS: WINDOWS XP PRO	Re: a few RAM questions 1. ddr2's ram has a notch slightly closer to center of the ram and runs a lower voltage ~ 1.8v 3. It is not true 2. don't thinks so __________________ *cday ... "Learn 2 Share N Share 2 Learn"* Please add a thanks if I may ever help you

08-07-2007, 01:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
confrontation Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 164 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64x	Re: a few RAM questions oh...damn...sorry