Looking for optimal RAM configuration?

Question

Hi I am about to add more RAM to my computer and was wondering if it matters how i install it to get the best performance? I have a P4 with 4 memory slots dual channel. right now it's configured like this:

slot 1: 512MB 200MHz
slot 2: empty
slot 3: 512 MB 200Mhz
slot 4 empty

I'm going to add 2 sticks of 1GB 400MHz RAM for a total of 3GB. Can i just slide them in the empty slots and go? do the lower frequencies on the 512s make a difference? Thanks

Answer 1

I would just remove the two 512 MB memory sticks and replace them with the 1 GB sticks. Make sure you put them slots 1 and 3 (or 2 and 4). Dual-Channel memory will still work when not placed in adjacent slots, but it's good practice to make sure they are, and you'll most likely see a decrease in performance if they're not.

Answer 2

The 2 sticks of 1 gig will downgrade to 200MHz, because RAM downgrades to the speed of the slowest module. But It should still work. The best thing to do would be to just lose the 512's and install the 1 gigs.



That way the 1 gigs will run at a the full 400MHz



You'll notice more of a performance increase that way

Answer 3

Honestly, I would remove the 2 512mb sticks and replace them with the 2x 1gb sticks. This way your computer doesn't run the 2x 1gb sticks at the lower 200mhz speed that the 512 sticks are at (your computer will only run ram as fast as your slowest stick is). and in windows xp and earlier you don't really gain much from the extra 1gb you would gain from the 2x 512mb sticks.

Answer 4

two stiks that are teh same mhz should be in the two same colors