Dual Channel
 

I don't know much about physical memory cards but I have a quick question. I have Dell Dim2400 came with DDR PC3200 256MB. I'm going to buy my dad a computer with 1gig of memory and switch it to mine. His is Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz. My guess is they are not compatiable, but I just wanted to check first.

Thanks,
Joseph

So you're going to steal your dad's memory? Dude :(

It's the motherboard, and not the RAM, which has/hasn't support for Dual Channel.

RAM sticks are just that, memory sticks.

The bigger worry is with your computer. If you put his RAM and your RAM together, if they're different enough the computer might not boot, or it may. Nothing bad will happen if it doesn't boot, other than you just have an extra stick of RAM in your hand.

Two sticks of RAM is not always better than one in the bush.

This may or may not work. I'm not sure about newer Dells, but older ones I had a hell of a time upgading memory in. I tried replacing the 256MB Generic in our P4 Dell with a 512MB PC3200 Kingston stick (I know it was good because I tested it in my personal box first), and the thing wouldn't POST. Very strange.

Well, I would give him my 256 stick back, so I would have only one in my box.
How do you determine whether or not a mobo is compatible with different RAM sticks?
Joseph

Does it help to put 2 grades together? For example. If I have a 1GB versus two 512MB, which would be better? (by the way, what does the 400mhz mean?)

Joseph

As long as your motherboard supports dual channel RAM, then 2 sticks of 512 is better than 1 stick of 1024. Of course, if it doesn't support that, it won't really matter. I still prefer to get two sticks, since if one goes bad you don't have to replace as much.

If your mainboard supports it you can run the two 512 sticks in dual channel mode. Either way you still get 1 GB of memory. It's really up to preference.

The 400MHZ is the clock speed the RAM runs at. Again, this is dependant on your mainboard. Motherboards can only support ram up to a certain speed. If you put a stick in that's any faster it will run at what the board supports. Not what the stick can do. So if you stick PC3200 into a board that can only go up to PC2700 the ram is going to run at 333mhz not 400.

Here's what crucial tells me: PC3200 is listed as an option for this system and will either operate at 266MHz or 333MHz depending on the FSB setting. The system is not capable of operating with an 800MHz FSB so it cannot operate the PC3200 at 400MHz.

I think I will put a 1GB stick in (PC2700)
What is the difference between brands (look at links):
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0863&CatId=844
and
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...8845&CatId=844

Ok, I'm thinking about going with this'n:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0863&CatId=549

Attached is a short report of my motherboard. I'm using everest corporate (have to, home won't work on the server) and it's a trial...
Joseph

For some reason I have something against Tigerdirect, might I recommend newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...7&Order=rating

My cousin said use newegg but it really doesn't matter. I always have the same feeling too, oh well. Maybe in the future I'll spread my orders around :)
Joseph

Don't go with Generic RAM. It will cause you no end of issues later in life. Trust me. Feel free to skimp on anything EXCEPT the motherboard or RAM. Those are two critical to get anything less than the best. Name-Brand consists of Corsair, Kingston, OCZ, Mushkin, and Geil.

I also strongly support Newegg over Tigerdirect. Among other reasons:

http://jerryfeil.com/
http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org/n...igerDirect.com
http://freeridevideo.com/dlf/tigerdirect.htm

Interesting articles. Unfortunatly, I've already ordered. I don't see why US Modular isn't good. I don't do any gaming that requires intense memory usage... I got it because my server is getting sluggish because all the roles I added. So, might as well get something good.
I hope this time around I get a good clean order. I think I'll start ordering at newegg :)

Joseph