Can you mix memory?

[capcom_suicide]

OK.

On my new PC I have:

2x512MB PC4200 DDR2 ram running at 533Mhz in a "Dual Channel" configuration.

On my old PC I have:

2x 512MB PC2700 DDR ram running at 333Mhz in a "Dual Channel" configuration.

Can this memory be used in the 2 spare DIMM slots on the new PC? Or will it slow down the whole system? The motherboard is runnign at 800Mhz with an intel 630 P4. It's an intel chipset.

Thanks,

C_S

[anephric]

It'll slow it down (when you mix memory the BIOS will automatically run all memory at the lower speed). BUT you can overclock it. I've only ever overclocked 2700 RAM to 3200 bus speeds, mind.

[capcom_suicide]

It'll slow it down (when you mix memory the BIOS will automatically run all memory at the lower speed). BUT you can overclock it. I've only ever overclocked 2700 RAM to 3200 bus speeds, mind.

Thanks.

So what's best.

1GB at 4200

or

2GB at 2700

[marcus]

Id always go for the larger amount of Ram myself, although at 1GB its still a reasonably hefty amount of memory, little requires more than that other than the latest games like BF2 and FEAR.

[anephric]

I'd keep the gig of fast RAM, tbh, unless you really, really need more for some app. BF2 and the F.E.A.R. demo run fine in a gig on my rig.

gig on my rig.
gig on my rig.
*squark*

[Digfox]

DDR2 and DDR don't mix..so in short; no.

For reference the Ok'ers forums have a great sticky as ever:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=53160

[anephric]

Eeep. Didn't notice the 2.

These last 2 days haven't been the best on the anephric accuracy front: guess I picked the wrong week to quit sniffin' glue...

[Digfox]

To be honest I didn't spot it either, until I looked again and saw PC4200 and then clicked. To be honest apart from the larger BF2 maps, high quality textures, and shorter loading times, 2GB of RAM isn't a necessity yet. I can say that having gone 2GB back in June.

Oh and for the uber geeks my Patriot 2GB 400Mhz DDR RAM is very nearly as fast as my XBLK 1GB 400Mhz RAM. It's timings of:

2-3-2-5 @ 1T vs. 2-2-2-5 @ 1T (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)

So the timings can be as fast when run at default FSB. Not sure where the overclocking maxes out though, as I want the tightest timings possible.

[capcom_suicide]

To be honest I didn't spot it either, until I looked again and saw PC4200 and then clicked. To be honest apart from the larger BF2 maps, high quality textures, and shorter loading times, 2GB of RAM isn't a necessity yet. I can say that having gone 2GB back in June.

Oh and for the uber geeks my Patriot 2GB 400Mhz DDR RAM is very nearly as fast as my XBLK 1GB 400Mhz RAM. It's timings of:

2-3-2-5 @ 1T vs. 2-2-2-5 @ 1T (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)

So the timings can be as fast when run at default FSB. Not sure where the overclocking maxes out though, as I want the tightest timings possible.

Thanks very much for the tips guys.

Erm, WTF does all that mean! CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS holy molly!