Memory Speed question

[godfatha]

I have a system with 256MB PC2100 RAM, would I be able to use it alongside with a 512MB PC2700 and get a total of 768MB RAM? Does it work like that or do the memories have to be the same speed?

If so, would it be better for it to have 768MB PC2100 or 512MB PC2700?

I couldn't really find anything on google about this any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[stelleg151]

depends on system if its better, all the ram will run at pc 2100 speeds if its all in, and all of it in at once will probably be best

 

[TimboAA]

RAM generally runs at the speed of the slowest stick. so you wo uld have 768mb of PC2100. Depending on whether or not your overclock, it may cause issues or generate memory errors. Its unlikely, but possible.

 

[V00D00]

It would probably be better to have 512MB of PC2700, but it depends what you do with your computer.

You could run some benchmarks with sisoft sandra and get an idea of what your memory bandwidth is:
http://www.sisoftware.net/

Then you can see in plain numbers which one is faster.

If you do a lot of stuff with Photoshop or something it might be better to have 768MB.

 

[guidot]

good points by v00d00. being clocked down and having more RAM is not necessarily a good thing. If you are doing video editing, or animation it is, but its not for gaming or everyday use. stick to the 512 I think, i'm running 512 on an Athlon 64 and its served me well.