Rebel=UK= Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I have 1.5gig @400mhz, and i wanted to up that to to 2gig but at the moment i am using 3 slots on my motherboard so if i buy another 512mb i will be using all 4 slots. Now this is the problem i heard that if you use all 4 slots the speed of the ram will drop so in my case it will drop to 333mhz. Is this true??My motherboard is a MSI K8N Neo (NForce4 Chipset) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Sounds like a myth to me. As long as all the ram is 400mhz, it should operate at 400mhz.The only time I've ever heard of RAM losing speed is when you use DDR2 @ 1000mhz with a non HT P4. It will not utilize the ram to it's extent, and thus it is a waste of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Some boards do have a problem with handling multiple sticks of RAM if they're double sided.My Foxconn with 3 slots does. A 512 + a 256 work fine at 400, but with 2 512's in - it drops to 333.So I'm on 768 MB only - but with the faster speed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted January 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I did abit more digging and found it out to be true, its well know infact even using 3 sticks i was taking a hit:This is with 2 sticks...Its running in single channel and lower MHZSo i took a stick out and its runing in Dual Channel and more MHZAnyhow earlier 2day i went out and bought 2 X1 gig sticks cost £145 :shok: but i think its worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Interesting...I suppose the Dual-channel has something to do with it.If using Dual-Channel RAM, I always only use 2 sticks, and I've never needed a third.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Dual channel supported mobos need the RAM to be fitted in matching pairs for the extra performance offered by dual channel mode to be realised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted January 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I think its more of a stability issue most motherboards do this, its a shortcut taken by most motherboard manufactures. When all of its sockets are in use, it switchs the memory ratio so that PC3200 (DDR400) runs at PC2700 (DDR333) for stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 This is confusing me. :huh: :blink: :rolleyes: So are we only to be concerned with the newer motherboards and if so, what do we call for with memory so as not to be wasting money? An interesting topic as I will soon be buying or building a system for my son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted January 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Most motherboards do it, you can alter the timings etc in the bios but you risk the system being unstable. best buy gig sticks if possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 So when purchasing a current "state of the art" system (obsolete tomorrow) it is best to spec out memory in 1 GB sticks? What about something like 2 x 512Mb PC3200 184pin DDR 400 DIMM memory for starters on a new system that has 4 memory slots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 So when purchasing a current "state of the art" system (obsolete tomorrow) it is best to spec out memory in 1 GB sticks? What about something like 2 x 512Mb PC3200 184pin DDR 400 DIMM memory for starters on a new system that has 4 memory slots? Well im running a fairly new NForce 4 Motherboard (only bought it mid december) and i had 3 X 512mb PC3200. I only looked into this as i wanted 2 gig and was planning on buying another 512mb, until i found this out ive now ditched my 3 sticks of 512 and bought 2 X 1gig . I would buy 1gig stick rather then the 2 x 512 anyhow even if i didnt know this, but i think it would be ok to run the 2 X 512mbs anyhow. When you come to upgrade/add the Ram tho ............. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 Thanks Rebel. I *think* I now understand. :rolleyes: :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 For any new system Deuces its better to buy matched dual ram. So 2x512 of dual ram will run much faster than 1x1024 of ram.Also go for 64 bit CPU, dual core if you can afford it. PCI express graphic card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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