Quick NOOB RAM question...

[matthew]

Quick question about RAM, I have 512MB of RAM as ordered on my 2687-DDU, can I put in an additional 1GB stick and have 1.5 total or do both RAM slots need to have the same size?

[gcchatel]

The sizes don't have to match, that configuration would work fine.

[jfh]

You can use the 1GB stick, but you'll lose the potential performance benefit of the double speed memory by not having matched sizes.

[nirvana0001]

make sure it is ddr2-4200

[matthew]

"You can use the 1GB stick, but you'll lose the potential performance benefit of the double speed memory by not having matched sizes."

Huh??

Does this mean I'd be better off with another 512 instead?

[Ground Loop]

It depends on if the sticks themselves are already "doubles". I was wondering the same thing myself.. are two matched-size modules faster than dissimilar sizes?

There's also the power consideration -- how much is runtime compromised by having more memory?

I have 512+512 now, and like it plenty fine.

[jfh]

.. are two matched-size modules faster than dissimilar sizes?

Yes, that's the benefit of having two matched modules.

But is 1.5GB unmatched going to appear faster than 1GB matched? Sure, but that's because of the additional memory capacity.

Personally, I want 1GB, so I'll put in one 1GB chip and then when I want to upgrade, put in another 1GB chip. I have an immediate use for the removed 512MB chip, so I don't lose anything ...

[Ground Loop]

I'd be curious to know what kind of memory timings people get with dissimilar RAM configurations, like 512+1GB.

I'm running MemTest86+ and getting these numbers:
L1 Cache: 64KB 22,988 MB/s
L2 Cache: 2048K 10,120 MB/s
Memory 1023M 1,454 MB/s
Chipset: Intel i915PM/GM
FSB: 133MHz DDR-2
RAM: 266 MHz DDR532 CAS 4-4-4-12 / Dual Channel (Interleaved)

Anyone else?