Adding memory

Hi
I found 2x256MB of RAM laying around. Now a quick question.
I have 2 of these installed in my computer atm: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145505&Tpk=vs1gb400c3

Is it a good idea to add 2 of these: Samsung K4H560838C-TCB0 (sorry cant find any information about the product) or will it just slow down my memory?

motherboard: ASUS A8N5X

Thanks

 

Samsung K4H560838C-TCB0 are 128MB?? if you already have 2 of the 1GB RAM sticks, you definitely dont want to downgrade to 128MB. even if you have the extra slots, 128MB isnt going to do much of anything for you if youre adding it on top of the 2GB you already have.

 

To answer your question first, if you mix memory speeds your computer will run all of them at the speed of the slowest. However, if you increase the amount of RAM, that will make up for the slower speed and overall your computer will perform better.

Now I have one of my own: Where did you see that number? Is it on the actual chips themselves, or on a sticker on the memory stick? It looks like a component part number to me, which means the info it brings up in google is for the ICs on the module, not for the whole thing. Admittedly, I'm not up to speed on Samsung part numbers, but a bit more info would be helpful.

How do you know they are 256MB, by the way?

 

Thats the number on the actual memory stick.
And on the sticker it says:
KOREA 0234
PC2100U-25330-A0
M368L3223CTL-CB0Q0
256MB DDR PC2100 CL2.5

But I find nothing from samsung googling those numbers.
Only thing i can find googling that is a kingston memory.

 

Hi Mimsy. Hi again k0rbeh.

Mind if I but in? just wanted to throw in teh following bit of advice you gave to me, Mimsy. I see k0rbeh has one of the same issues as I had. Saves you typing it again. BTW, my comp is humming now. Thanks again. Here 'tis:

"First off, you can mix speeds of RAM just fine. If you put in a PC2100 and a PC3200 they will both run at PC2100. That can cause problems if your mother board was designed for PC2700 or faster, since installing slower RAM than spec leads to issues--the rest of your entire system would have to clock down to match which it often refuses to do, and as a result your RAM can't keep up with your CPU. Crashing happens, and bluescreens galore. It is an ugly thing to behold.

"Mixing PC2100 with PC3200 can cause problems, most likely because the PC3200 doesn't like under-clocking that much. Just like over-clocking, it can only go so far and still remain stable."

 

so i should just leave it as it is now?

 

I found parts from Simpletech, Kingston, and Crucial, when I googled those numbers, but all three companies buy components from Samsung, so that doesn't mean anything.

If you need the extra 512MB, go ahead and add the memory. If you run into any stability issues, due to the speed-mixing things what GCWesq just saved me from typing again (thanks! ), just take the 256MB sticks back out and buy two PC3200 ones instead. They are fairly cheap right now anyway.

 

i dont need the extra memory, just thought why not use it if i had it laying around if it wouldnt cause any problems. thanks

 

In that case I would actually suggest not installing the two 256MB. The principle "if it's not broken, don't fix it" over-rides all other concerns when it comes to computers

 

thanks, will leave it as it is then