RAM Installation

[Noeluylee]

Hi Guys,

Is it okay to install 1x DDR266 (512) and 2x DDR333 (512) on a single computer? its puzzling me and a bit hesitatant to install the DDR266 on my computer.

Thanks a lot.

Hope you guys can help me.

 

[garebo]

I think that if your motherboard can handle the 333, then you can. I believe the 333 will default to the 266 speed. I dont think you have anything to lose by trying it, unless you dont want the 333 to default to the 266 speed.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[cdogg]

That is correct. The speed will drop to the lowest common denominator, which in your case, would be 266MHz. So, no you probably don't want to if your CPU's FSB is 333MHz or faster.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[garebo]

cdogg, along the same lines, wouldnt that have a negative effect if you were trying to install the ram in a "dual channel" mode. Instead, you'd want to have the exact same sticks of ram and installed as per the motherboard directions?



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[cdogg]

Well, technically the RAM sticks don't have to be identical to work in dual channel mode. However, it is preferred for stability reasons. And just like the example above, if you use two different ones, then the one with the slowest timings will force the other one to run slower too.

Also, many motherboards support 2, 3, or even 4 sticks running in dual channel. It doesn't have to be an even number of sticks as it would seem. Definitely install them in the configuration the mobo manual specifies.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[Noeluylee]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your inputs. My motherboard support 333. I already installed the 266 and it works fine.

Once again, thank you so much.

 

[cdogg]

Noeluylee,

Search for and download Everest Home to get all the specific details on your system. Once we know what CPU make/model, CPU Speed, and Frontside Bus (FSB) you're running, then we can tell you whether or not the 266MHz stick was a good idea.

Remember, it WILL work. But there's a chance that you are making it work SLOWER.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[Noeluylee]

Hi cdogg,

Thank you so much. really appreciated it.

God bless.

Noel

 

[tuco7]

When you added the ddr266 your ddr333 memory will run as ddr266 memory.

The Bios makes that change as it cant support both 266 and 333 at the same time so it takes the lowest 266.

By adding that one stick of memory to gain another 512 of memory will be lost in performance, the risk of the difference in chips with the mixed memory is high and can cause blue screens on certain applications and data corruption.

Its best to remove the 266ddr!!!!

 

[Noeluylee]

Thanks tuco7,

Really appreciated your input.

 

[paparazi]

Noeluylee
I think you are missing an important question here!

What CPU are you running?
This is a key question to wether or not this ram combination will slow anything down or not.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Noeluylee]

Hi paparazi/ Martin,

My processor is AMD Athlon XP 2400+ with ECS L7VTA, I already check and my board support both 266 and 333.

Thanks for the input dude.

Noel

 

[garebo]

Noeluylee, we're still not sure you realize that you may be doing yourself less good by mixing the 2 speeds.
Your pc should have either 266 or 333, but it will give you much better performance if using only 333. When adding 266 to the 333 on the same pc then you degrade the performance of all of that ram down to 266. So we are saying its not a good idea to do that.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[Noeluylee]

Hi Garebo,

Yup, I realized that the speed of my computer became slower, thats why I just removed it again, I am using the 333 Thanks so much for your input.

 

[garebo]

okay.
Sorry to kind of rant about it. Just wanted to make sure you fully understood. I see now that you do.
Good luck with your pc!


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[Noeluylee]

Hi garebo,

Not a problem. In fact, I really appreciate your help. Thank you.

 

[AmdExtreme]

you also may want to check the latency on both sticks of ram, to make sure they match, may cause instability if not, PS. if they dont, and if your bios supports it you may be able to change the latency on the ram to match, good luck....

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