Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Ram Types.
  • Subject: Ram Types.
Subject: Ram Types.
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I need to upgrade and get more ram for my PC witch only has 2 sticks of 256MB DDR. i saw some 512 DDR2 but I don’t know if DDR2 would work with my computer. is there a big difference between DDR and DDR2? also, if i had one stick of 256 and another of 512 would that work or would i half to have both 512, because I’ll half to get them 1 at a time. My wallet is low on cash. any info you guys can give me would be most appreciated.

  • 06.15.2005 7:03 PM PDT
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finally an intelligent thread! sweet! anyways, i heard it's better to have all the same kind of RAM, or instead don't mix up the sizes, for example: in slot 1 u can have 512mb, slot 2: 512 mb, and slot 3: 256 mb, but don't have 512 mb. then 256 mb. then 512 mb. it slows/screws up your comp...supposedly... really since i'm not the residente computer 'expert' i wouldn't take my word for it, wait until sexy legs davis comes here, he'll solve your problem in a jiffy. Also though i know the new DELL line has DDR2 RAM while mine only came with the normal RAM, basically i think this means dual channel, and obviously it's good, but i'm not sure about compatibility issues, sorry :)

  • 06.15.2005 7:10 PM PDT
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heheh... PRAISE JESUS!

Okay, here's the lowdown on RAM for you my friend.

Most RAM nowadays is DDR. DDR operates at different frequencies, which can complicate things... For example, PC2700 DDR runs at 333 MHz and PC32000 DDR runs at 400 MHz.

Now obviously, a higher running frequency means a faster RAM. Here's the catch - so pay attention o_0 - you can NOT mix and match RAM of different speeds.

Big No-No - as in No Way, Jose - Hasta Lasagna, don't get any on ya. It can cause damage to your mobo (probably won't happen - what will probably happen is that you won't see much of an improve as you fast RAM will be limited to the speed of your old RAM - or vice versa, and you'll overheat your old RAM and melt it into your board or ruin it...) Just... don't do it...

Seriously, though - DDR2 is a Dual Channel Memory - which means that it works by splitting the stream into two streams, thereby increasing the badwidth and decresing the latency.

Got it? Good. Now, for the kicker. You need to make sure your Motherboard will support the speed of RAM you're buying. Nothing would suck more than for you to drop $350 on a Gig of PC4200 DDR2 only to find that your Northbridge is a Via 333 chipset. Translation - You mobo only supports up to PC2700 - 333MHz. You need to check this out before you go and buy more memory.

I would say that 1 gig is plenty, and PC 2700 works for me. Before you buy a whole new set of RAM, I would see about buying more of the same stuff I already got - otherwise, you're starting from scratch.

  • 06.15.2005 10:50 PM PDT
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well... seeing as ddr has 184 pins, and ddr2 has 240... there is no physical way you could fit ddr2 into a ddr mobo. 'nuff said. dont really have that much to do with the speeds in this case

EDIT: a few extra details that will just make me look smart ;)
ddr actually runs at half what you said inspire: pc3200 is 200 mhz. when you put it in a dual channel mobo (like mine) is when you get 400 mhz. I think that cpu fsb works this way too, but not sure. Not sure how ddr2 works, but because currently memory controllers on intel platforms are in the chipset, and on amd platforms they are in the cpu, ddr2 is only available with intel chips. You cant get ddr2 with an amd cpu. Best you can do with an amd cpu is get a matched pair of ddr, and run it dual channel.

[Edited on 6/16/2005]

  • 06.16.2005 12:37 AM PDT
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I never heard that before..... Are you sure? Regular DDR isn't dual channel, eh?

  • 06.16.2005 12:58 AM PDT
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ddr is dual channel if you have 2 identical dimms in a dual channel mobo.
not sure about ddr2 havent looked into it much

  • 06.16.2005 1:16 AM PDT
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according to the forum index... there should be a post by mr B in here... and the purpose of this post is to try to make it appear... cause its invisible... lol

anyway, lets see if it works

EDIT: yup it did... now the discussion can continue

lol
88.8% of statistics are made up on the spot.
thats great mr b

[Edited on 6/16/2005]

  • 06.16.2005 1:44 AM PDT