RAM Question

I recently downloaded CPU-Z to check my processor, and I also noticed that it displayed RAM information. I took a look, and lo and behold, it did have my RAM information! I currently have two sticks of 512MB RAM, one is PC2700 and the other one is PC3200. They are NOT running dual channel. What I had originally thought was that PC2700 runs at 333MHz and PC3200 runs at 400MHz, but when I look at the speeds, next to my PC2700 RAM, it says "Max Bandwidth: PC2700 (166MHz)", and for my PC3200 one, it says "Max Bandwidth: PC3200 (200MHz)". Why is the speed cut in half? Is this "normal", or did I install something incorrectly? The same thing happens to my friend. He just bought two sticks of 512MB RAM and is running it dual channel, but his max bandwidth is also 200MHz on each of the sticks of RAM.

My thought is that the RAM is meant to be run as dual channel and the bandwidth "add up" to the proper bandwidth. Can anyone confirm this guess, or if it's wrong please tell me why it displays that as the bandwidth? Thanks.

 

DDR = Dual Data Rate, 200mhz X 2 = 400mhz (DDR400/PC3200).
So for PC2700 it runs at 166mhz X 2 = 333mhz/DDR333.

 

Ahh k thanks

 

When running two different speeds of mem your system will only run at the slowest of the two speeds.
So your pc3200 stick is running at pc2700 speeds, 333mhz

 

And the best way to enable dual channel is to use two similar sticks.