xxxmb RAM question

y2blade

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i took the side cover of my inlaws pc to give it a spring clean and they have 3 lots of 256mb RAM..... i was under the impression that is had to be 128mb/256mb/512mb/1gig :nenau and that 3 sticks equalling 768mb would'nt work...obviously it does work ok!!!!!

anyone came across this before?
 
In the olden days (which I'm surprised you'll remember as it was all marbles on drain covers and dirt for you not so long ago) you used to have to match up memory in banked pairs so if you had four slots each bank of two would need the same memory config to work. But not since a fair while was that the case.

Now it matters not a jot if you have empty slots or higher rated chips in one or other*.







* = Generally!! (just to cover myself!)
 
some machines still like RAM in matched pairs.


Intel Macs 'frinstance :augie
 
:D:D:D
 

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some machines still like RAM in matched pairs.


Intel Macs 'frinstance :augie

When you say 'matched pairs' do you mean matched type i.e. they must both be 533Mhz or do you mean matched capacity i.e. they must both be 2GB?

Cos I have happily fitted a mis-match of the latter into 3 Intel iMacs and they just lapped them up :confused:
 
ok then

what would happen if the PC "did'nt" like it?
 
ok then

what would happen if the PC "did'nt" like it?

Usually, BSODs or it's just hang...if it even booted up

It's mainly down the the MOBO-my desktop machine is pretty new and reasonably high specced but it has to have matched paired memory.
 
ok then

what would happen if the PC "did'nt" like it?

Don't guess this stuff it ain't worth it.

If you want to know what your motherboard would like in what configuration then go here and use this. Takes all the guesswork out of it and prices are very competitive and if you use the scanner the memory is guaranteed to fit and work or your money back.
 
When you say 'matched pairs' do you mean matched type i.e. they must both be 533Mhz or do you mean matched capacity i.e. they must both be 2GB?

Cos I have happily fitted a mis-match of the latter into 3 Intel iMacs and they just lapped them up :confused:

have to admit, it's not as clear cut as i thought...

from apple

The iMac (Mid 2006) ships from the factory with at least 512 MB of DDR2 SDRAM, in two 256 MB DIMMs; one in each of the memory slots.
Note: If you upgrade the memory in your iMac (Mid 2006), make sure you have matching size SO-DIMMs in each slot for best graphics performance.

The iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD) ships from the factory with at least 512 MB of DDR2 SDRAM, in two 256 MB DIMMs; one in each of the memory slots. All other models of iMac (Late 2006) ship from the factory with at least 1 GB of DDR2 SDRAM, in two 512 MB DIMMs; one in each of the memory slots.


does that mean you can stick mis matched sticks in an 07? :confused:

from Crucial:

"Q: Do I have to install matching pairs?

A: No.

No, you can install modules one at a time, and you can mix different densities of modules in your computer. But if your computer supports dual-channel memory configurations, you should install in identical pairs (preferably in kits) for optimal performance."

i think late macs do support dual memory.

i know they only support 3GB* as well, but i've never heard of anyone selling 3GB kits.

*i seem to recall that limit going up to 4GB on some models very recently. might have imagined it though.
 
*i seem to recall that limit going up to 4GB on some models very recently. might have imagined it though.


I have read of gaming rigs with 8GB of RAM recently, but I don't know how much of this is usable. If you use two different speeds of RAM, the higher speed stick will default to the speed of the slower stick, if that makes sense. It is a good idea to get two sticks, same speed etc. RAM sticks are not that expensive these days.

This lot are good and I have used them before : www.overclockers.co.uk They have weekly deals on and there is some good stuff on there at good prices. Hope this helps :thumb
 
Just checked their site and there's 1GB (2x512MB) RAM for £15 :thumb
 
Matched pairs in macs...

The theory goes that you can get better interleaved access to a matched pair of DIMMS, and that it's important on machines with integrated video controllers.

Of course the effect is fairly small and having 2GB+1GB is better than 2GB. Cost wise I'm happy with 1GB+1GB in my machines, 15 quid a gb from crucial.

Here's a linky to a us upgrade site that does benchmarks...

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Memory_Benchmark/Apple_MacBook/
 
Don't guess this stuff it ain't worth it.

If you want to know what your motherboard would like in what configuration then go here and use this. Takes all the guesswork out of it and prices are very competitive and if you use the scanner the memory is guaranteed to fit and work or your money back.

nice one cheers

it recomends 2gig RAM for my PC :cool:
 


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