question concerning memory speeds

Polaris573 · Sep 20, 2005, 05:16 PM

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 · Sep 20, 2005, 05:31 PM

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 · Sep 20, 2005, 08:19 PM

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 · Sep 20, 2005, 09:14 PM

just keep it with 2x512 mb 400 mhz, cuz 333 mhz is really a bottleneck

u dont need 1.5 gb ram

bim27142 · Sep 21, 2005, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!.

yeah, 2x512@ 400mhz...

1gig ram should be quite enough already...

bobyjo · Sep 21, 2005, 01:48 PM

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 · Sep 21, 2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

you may have misunderstood the ts

he never said anything about 2 gb

AceFactor · Sep 21, 2005, 04:59 PM

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

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

-Adam

Polaris573 · Sep 21, 2005, 07:16 PM

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.

bobyjo · Sep 21, 2005, 07:22 PM

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 · Sep 22, 2005, 07:20 AM

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

bobyjo · Sep 22, 2005, 01:54 PM

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 · Sep 22, 2005, 02:35 PM

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

-Adam

ChAce · Sep 22, 2005, 04:53 PM

Yeah, its a chipset limitation.

Unbonami · Oct 20, 2005, 06:20 AM

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 · Oct 20, 2005, 10:59 AM

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 · Oct 20, 2005, 01:47 PM

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.

Sep 20, 2005, 05:16 PM	#1
Polaris573 Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Little Rock, USA Posts: 3,284 (1.09/day) Thanks: 68 Thanked 765 Times in 451 Posts System Specs	question concerning memory speeds 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. __________________ Lector benevole, legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. Accipere quam facere praestat injuriam Fold for Techpowerup! Last edited by Polaris573; Sep 20, 2005 at 05:17 PM. Reason: typo

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Video Card:	Sapphire HD 4850 512 MB PCI-E
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Sep 20, 2005, 05:31 PM	#2
klootzakje Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Netherlands, near A'dam Posts: 39 (0.01/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 __________________ DFI Nforce4 sli-D // amd winchester 3000+ // twinmos speed premium 260 2-2-2-5 // killed club3d x800rx 475/490@600/600 now x300 325/200@450/225 // powered by antec 480 truepower

Sep 20, 2005, 08:19 PM	#3
Polaris573 Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Little Rock, USA Posts: 3,284 (1.09/day) Thanks: 68 Thanked 765 Times in 451 Posts System Specs	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!. __________________ Lector benevole, legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. Accipere quam facere praestat injuriam Fold for Techpowerup!

Processor:	LGA 775 Intel E6550 Core2 Duo "Conroe" 2.33Ghz 4MB L2 Cache
Motherboard:	Abit IX38 QuadGT -- Intel X38 Chipset
Cooling:	Arctic Freezer
Memory:	6GB G.Skill DDRII 800 4-4-3-5
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 4850 512 MB PCI-E
Hard Disk:	1 TB Seagate 32MB Cache, 250 GB Seagate 16MB Cache
Optical Drive:	Asus DVD Burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer X203w
Case:	Coolermaster Centurion 5
Sound Card:	Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music
PSU:	OCZ StealthXStream 600 Watt
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Sep 20, 2005, 09:14 PM	#4
klootzakje Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Netherlands, near A'dam Posts: 39 (0.01/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	just keep it with 2x512 mb 400 mhz, cuz 333 mhz is really a bottleneck u dont need 1.5 gb ram __________________ DFI Nforce4 sli-D // amd winchester 3000+ // twinmos speed premium 260 2-2-2-5 // killed club3d x800rx 475/490@600/600 now x300 325/200@450/225 // powered by antec 480 truepower

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Sound Card:	Asus Xonar Xense \| On-Board Realtek ALC892
PSU:	Seasonic X-560 \| Silverstone ST50F-ES
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit SP1

Sep 21, 2005, 01:48 PM	#6
bobyjo Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Texas Posts: 257 (0.09/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	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.

System Name:	My Stuff
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Software:	XP Pro SP2

Sep 21, 2005, 04:59 PM	#8
AceFactor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 230 (0.08/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post System Specs	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 Please correct me if i'm wrong. .i can take the shame -Adam __________________ Be The Change You Wish To See

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Sep 21, 2005, 07:16 PM	#9
Polaris573 Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Little Rock, USA Posts: 3,284 (1.09/day) Thanks: 68 Thanked 765 Times in 451 Posts System Specs	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. __________________ Lector benevole, legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. Accipere quam facere praestat injuriam Fold for Techpowerup!

Sep 21, 2005, 07:22 PM	#10
bobyjo Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Texas Posts: 257 (0.09/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	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

Sep 22, 2005, 07:20 AM	#11
elriytane Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 (0.00/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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

Sep 22, 2005, 01:54 PM	#12
bobyjo Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Texas Posts: 257 (0.09/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	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.

Sep 22, 2005, 02:35 PM	#13
AceFactor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 230 (0.08/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post System Specs	To elriytane: This is a common Northbridge Chipset limitation, it happens with most motherboards -Adam __________________ Be The Change You Wish To See

Sep 22, 2005, 04:53 PM	#14
ChAce Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 183 (0.06/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah, its a chipset limitation. __________________ RIG Earth's full, go home! Life's tough, get a helmet! Fight crime, shoot back! [THE PHOTOSHOP MASTER]

Oct 20, 2005, 06:20 AM	#15
Unbonami Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1 (0.00/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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)

Oct 20, 2005, 10:59 AM	#16
HookeyStreet Eat, sleep, game! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Great Yarmouth, England Posts: 5,321 (1.67/day) Thanks: 614 Thanked 530 Times in 430 Posts	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 __________________

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Oct 20, 2005, 01:47 PM	#17
bobyjo Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Texas Posts: 257 (0.09/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	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.

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