Will LESS memory actually be MORE?!!

thundercant · 10-17-2008, 04:30 AM

Hi guys. Im quite technically minded but arent sure to the answer to this question - any input will be appreciated!!

I have a laptop with 1GB of DDR2 PC2 4300 (266MHz) memory.
(memory description from CPU-ID)

I have purchased 2GB of DDR2 PC5300 (667MHz) memory.
(memory description from Ebuyers Website)

Would it be more beneficial to have 3Gb of system memory by having both DIMMS installed, or just the 2GB of faster memory and leave the existing one out?

Cheers!

Thundercant

**belfasteddie** · 10-17-2008, 04:55 AM

If you insert the 5300 alongside the 4300 they will all run at 4300. The 2 gb of 5300 would be the faster choice.

thundercant · 10-17-2008, 04:58 AM

excellently quick response... thanks!!

I never knew that.

And so as an extension to the question, if they were both the same spec, would there be any significant difference in performance having 3gb instead of 2Gb (by significant difference i mean noticable by the user rather than being detected by a piece of software).

**wrench97** · 10-17-2008, 02:15 PM

Only if you are actually using more then 2gig (you can see how much your using on the performance tab of task manager) and it will use more power there by shortening the time between having to charge the battery.

10-17-2008, 04:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
thundercant Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista	Will LESS memory actually be MORE?!! Hi guys. Im quite technically minded but arent sure to the answer to this question - any input will be appreciated!! I have a laptop with 1GB of DDR2 PC2 4300 (266MHz) memory. (memory description from CPU-ID) I have purchased 2GB of DDR2 PC5300 (667MHz) memory. (memory description from Ebuyers Website) Would it be more beneficial to have 3Gb of system memory by having both DIMMS installed, or just the 2GB of faster memory and leave the existing one out? Cheers! Thundercant Last edited by thundercant; 10-17-2008 at 04:42 AM.

10-17-2008, 04:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
belfasteddie Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Belfast N.I. Posts: 1,551 OS: Puppy Linux 4.12	Re: Will LESS memory actually be MORE?!! If you insert the 5300 alongside the 4300 they will all run at 4300. The 2 gb of 5300 would be the faster choice.

10-17-2008, 04:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
thundercant Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista	Re: Will LESS memory actually be MORE?!! excellently quick response... thanks!! I never knew that. And so as an extension to the question, if they were both the same spec, would there be any significant difference in performance having 3gb instead of 2Gb (by significant difference i mean noticable by the user rather than being detected by a piece of software).

10-17-2008, 02:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,786 OS: Win7	Re: Will LESS memory actually be MORE?!! Only if you are actually using more then 2gig (you can see how much your using on the performance tab of task manager) and it will use more power there by shortening the time between having to charge the battery. __________________ Power Supply and Selection