Quick, dumb question...

When you have 3 ram sticks, 2 @ 256mb and 1 @ 512mb, should you put the 2 256 in slot 1 and 2 or split them and put the 512 stick in the middle?

 

slot 1: 256 slot 2: 512 slot 3: 256 slot 4: none

thats how it usually goes, though it depends on how your motherboard runs the memory. what you're trying to get here is the 2 256 sticks to run in dual channel mode. if you have your motherboard manual, take a look. if not, try my suggestion and see how Everest detects it. If you dont have everest, DL it here: http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

 

Will Everest say it's in dual channel mode?

 

yes; go to Motherboard, Chipset, and under Memory Controller it should say Dual-Channel next to Active Mode if it really is in dual channel. if not, check right above it (Type) and see if it supports dual channel.