Noob RAM question

Hey guys

I have a relatively old motherboard which still runs DDR400. (DFi Lanparty SLi-DR)

Recently I bought 2 x 1 gb sticks to replace my 2 x 512mb sticks I had before.

My question is, since I see there are 4 Ram slots, can I place the 2 x 512mb along side the 2 x 1 gb to get 3gb or will there be compatibility problems/bios settings to fix?

I have the 2 x 1gb sticks on the orange slots - as opposed to the yellow slots

I ask this because I seldom see odd numbered RAM configurations around...and because I'm a noob

Thank you

if it is all DDR400 ram sticks then yes you should be able to use them together... you get maximum performance by having sticks of the same size installed, but that doesn't mean that you won't get a performance boost from by adding the 2 512mb, just that you won't get quite as much as having 3 1Gb sticks. Hope that helps.

Actually, 32-bit systems running 3GB have become quite common. System builders realised that people wouldn't want to pay for 4GB of RAM, then get robbed of half a gig or so by the OS.

If your RAM slots are color-coded, make sure that the 1GB and 512MB modules go in the same color - e.g. the gigs in the blue slots and the half-gigs in the black slots. Probably won't make much difference, but it's good to go by the book

If I recall correctly, the DFI has some sort of problem with running too many RAM modules with large amounts of RAM. Not enough drive from the chipset, or some such.
In order to run 2Gigs on mine I had to get 2 x 1gig modules because it wouldn't run with 4 x 512meg modules. So it's quite likely that the extra 2 x 512 won't work for you. I don't recall any problems (damage) with trying the 4 x 512meg modules, it just wouldn't boot.

Hi, thanks for the replies.

I installed the 2 x 512 now and the PC booted normaly, although at times I feel as if there are slight slowdowns for no reason.


Is there a more scientific way to find out if everything is alright other than my paranoid mind?

thanks again

There are going to be slowdowns compared to before. You are no longer running dual channel mode. You gained more RAM, but lost speed. Personally, if you are running XP SP3, you should just run with 2GBs in dual channel as opposed to 3GBs in single channel operation. The performance boost from dual channel is very nice.

I thought using same type of ram stick only apply if your running program that uses dual ram thing

(noob here too regarding tech, and that was a question)

No, all programs benefit in some way or another from dual channel memory.

My guide on RAM might be quite helpful to anyone interested in this. You can find it below:

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10288946