question concerning memory speeds

[Polaris573]

I'm thinking about upgrading the ram in my computer. Here is my problem, apparently my pos Dell only partially supports DDR400. When I fill the first bank the RAM operates and 400mhz, but when I fill the second bank it slows to 333mhz. So my question is this. Is it better to have 1 gig operating at 400mhz or 1.5 operating at 333mhz? My processor has the 800mhz FSB.

[klootzakje]

1 gig would be more than enough and speed does matter a lot :) so go with the 1 gig 400mhz i'd say ;)

also... does your motherboard support dual channel? if so i'd advise you to use it !
you'll have to have 2 equal sticks of 512 mb memory, or 4 equal sticks of 256 mb, it gives a hole lot more speed that how you got it running right now :)

[Polaris573]

All of my memory slots are full right now, I'm trying to decide if I should sell all my RAM and buy two 512mb or just sell the two 128mb and keep two 256mb plus buy another gig for a total of 1.5 gig.
It's running in dual channel right now just at a reduced speed. so the configurations I'm thinking about would be:

2x512 at 400mhz or
2x512 and 2x256 at 333mhz

right now I think having a gig at 400mhz would be the better of the two configurations, but if I'm wrong let me know!.

[klootzakje]

just keep it with 2x512 mb 400 mhz, cuz 333 mhz is really a bottleneck :) u dont need 1.5 gb ram :) :D

[bim27142]

All of my memory slots are full right now, I'm trying to decide if I should sell all my RAM and buy two 512mb or just sell the two 128mb and keep two 256mb plus buy another gig for a total of 1.5 gig.
It's running in dual channel right now just at a reduced speed. so the configurations I'm thinking about would be:

2x512 at 400mhz or
2x512 and 2x256 at 333mhz

right now I think having a gig at 400mhz would be the better of the two configurations, but if I'm wrong let me know!.
yeah, 2x512@ 400mhz...

1gig ram should be quite enough already...

[bobyjo]

If you really need 2gb, the very best way would be to install 2x1gb sticks.
This way the dual channel would work as supposed to.
The speed would be the same as it were with 2x512mb sticks.
If you are not playing Battlefield 2, I don't see any need for having 2gb memory.
1gb is more than adequate for all applications for the desktop system.

[klootzakje]

If you really need 2gb, the very best way would be to install 2x1gb sticks.
This way the dual channel would work as supposed to.
The speed would be the same as it were with 2x512mb sticks.
If you are not playing Battlefield 2, I don't see any need for having 2gb memory.
1gb is more than adequate for all applications for the desktop system.

you may have misunderstood the ts :) he never said anything about 2 gb

[AceFactor]

Hold on guys, dint he not say: anymore than 1 slot of 400 and the northbridge shut down to 333mhz. . .then it would have to be 1x piece of 400Mhz. .so a 1Gb piece or a 2Gb piece would be the only viable options :D

Please correct me if i'm wrong. .i can take the shame :o

-Adam

[Polaris573]

No, sorry I've got you guys all confused I guess my posts weren't very clear. I have a total of 4 memory slots, if I put memory in slot 1 & 2 it will operate at 400mhz. But, as soon as I place memory in slot 3 or 4 it slows to 333mhz, however, it is ALWAYS dual channel. I just wanted to know which is better 1 gig at 400mhz or 1.5 gig at 333mhz, given that both configurations would be dual channel.

Once again, sorry for all the confusion. :o

[bobyjo]

If you have software that requires over a gig of memory, then stay with the 4 sticks. If you do not have software that requires over a gig of memory. You will be better off with the 2 sticks in slots
1 & 2

[elriytane]

are all the sticks the same speed?? if they are, then i cant see why it would go down to 333, unless the sticks u put into 3 and 4 are 333 which will slow down your 400 sticks to 333.

try putting the 256 into slots 1 and 2, if it comes up as 333 then there 333's

im just tring to mentaly think why its doing whats it doing :confused:

[bobyjo]

This is just a limitation from running 4 sticks of memory.
I cannot explain why this is this way, it just is.
2 sticks run at 400, 3 or 4 runs at 333.

[AceFactor]

To elriytane: This is a common Northbridge Chipset limitation, it happens with most motherboards :D

-Adam

[ChAce]

Yeah, its a chipset limitation.

[Unbonami]

My Mobo is a ASUS A7N8X Deluxe, i have 2x256MB 400Mhz and 1x512MB 333Mhz Ram

Would it be better to run the two 256MB sticks at 400Mhz in Dual Channel Mode ?
or
Run the two 256MB and the 512MB all at 333Mhz ?

(btw the A7N8X DLX has only 3 slots for ram)

[HookeyStreet]

Im having the same sort of problem m8, I want to run 4x 512MB (2GB total) DDR 400 Dual Channel but Ive been told that my mobo will only run 4 sticks of 512 @ 333 :(

And to be honest I cant afford to sell my old sticks of RAM and get 2x 1GB sticks :(

I need the extra RAM for Battlefield 2 :(

[bobyjo]

This is a chipset limitation, there is absolutely nothing you can do concerning this.
Even the new boards will not run 4 sticks well.
There are some of the newer boards that will run 4x512they are few and far between.