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| Thread ID: 81063 | 2007-07-14 11:42:00 | Dual Channel DDR2 RAM | bk T (215) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 569056 | 2007-07-14 11:42:00 | My ASUS MB, P5AD2-E has 2 x 2 slots of memory. At present I have 2 x 512 MB of DDR2 533 MHz dual channel. I would like to add another 2 x 1 GB of RAM to the system. 1. To take advantage of the Dual Channel configuration is it necessary for all the slots to be of the same value? In the above configuration, will I be still getting dual-channel advantage? 2. Is it OK to use 800 MHZ DDR2 memory on this Motherboard? The RAMs are downwards compatible, aren't they? MB manual says it supports 711/533 MHZ of DDR2 Cheers |
bk T (215) | ||
| 569057 | 2007-07-14 18:51:00 | No you wont get dual channel if 2 of them are 512 and 2 are 1 GB. All the ram simms have to be either 512mb or 1 GB, and the same brand, and the same speed (normally). BUT, that may depend on how the mobo is configured for dual channel tho. Sometimes it'll still be in dual channel if the ram is in certain slots. Sometimes not. It may take 800 but may or may not go down to 711/533 speed. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 569058 | 2007-07-14 22:06:00 | ... It may take 800 but may or may not go down to 711/533 speed. How sure are you that it will work? I may not be able to return it if it doesn't work. |
bk T (215) | ||
| 569059 | 2007-07-14 22:36:00 | I'm not. Never had 800 ram, so wouldnt be sure. Dont guess whether it can take 800 or not. Ask the shop, wherever you're buying it from. They should know what the mobo can take/handle, if not tell them to look for another job. At least if theyre wrong u can take it back and say they were wrong. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 569060 | 2007-07-14 23:16:00 | In my first dual channel MB I had 2 x 512 as a pair and 2 x 256 for a total of 1.5G all working perfectly in dual channel mode, same brand purchased at different times but I had it all so I figured what the hell worth a try. I think matched pairs and everything at the same speed is the main thing - you could manually set timings in the BIOS as long as you use the settings that suit the slowest RAM you're equipping. It's not strictly necessary to use dual channel kits, the difference is just that they are tested and confirmed to work in dual channel mode, whereas if you mix and match RAM there's a possibility that small timing differences could make for an unstable system. For stability and peace of mind though a 2G dual channel kit made up of a matching pair of 1G chips is the best way to go, and all the RAM most people can use right now. Edit: why bother keeping the old RAM? unless you're using a 64bit version of windows it won't help you, and even then unless you use very memory hungry apps I doubt you'll get any benefit |
dugimodo (138) | ||
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