Question about mixing RAM chips..

Bought new RAM for my new comp build, and wondering if I can mix it with my old RAM stick from around 2 years ago..

Both are Crucial, 512 RAM sticks.

New RAM stick is this.. Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 8T - OEM

As for the old RAM stick, just reading what it says on the sticker... 512MB, DDR, 266MHz, CL2.5

I think the new one says CL3 on the sticker.


Can I mix em? Thanks guys.

 

theres a good chance you can but the new stick will run alot slower

 

The memory together will only run as slow as its weakest link. It seems almost a shame to 'clog' the new stick with the old slower one!

I'm pretty sure it will work though!

 

If you do try it, keep the slower one in slot 0 (It should be where it is now).

 

Hmm.. so it would be overall worse with the second one in as well?

 

No.
Its like this:
With RAM of two different speeds on the board,
then, the RAM (as a whole, if you will) can only run as fast as the SLOWEST stick.

So, it would be only as fast as the slowest stick, but the AMOUNT of RAM that you would have available would be bigger, and that is a Good Thing.

If BOTH sticks were of the faster speed, then the RAM, as a whole, would run at the faster speed, which would be a Better Thing.

 

Hmm... Heh, kind of confusing. So what do you guys recommend? Which should I do?