some memory questions

I'm in the process of upgrading my PC and I had some questions about memory. Right now I have 512mb of pc2700(2 sticks of 256), and a budget of about $70-80.
1. Would I get better performance if I got another 512mb of pc2700 to make 1Gb or if I got 512mb of pc3200?

2. Can I mix 1 512mb stick of mem with 2 256mb sticks?

3. What are some good manufacturers, and Is it okay to mix manufacturers?(I think I already am mixing them)

4. Is there something called Dual Channeling, what is it, and how do I know if my mobo supports it? (or am I just imagening it)

5. How do you think my rig will perform. I use it to mostly play games(flight sims, fps, rpgs, rts)

My specs are:
CPU: AMD AthalonXP 2600+ (new about 2 months)
MoBoCchips ECS M848A (new same time as CPU)
RAM: 512mb pc2700
Vid card: Nvidia GF4 MX440 64mb (will be an ATI 9800pro 128mb in 2-3 weeks)
OS: MS XPpro SP2

 

You would be better off getting another stick of 512 of pc2700 to make 1 gig because your processor uses a 333mhz fsb which will bottle neck the ram down to 2700 anyways even if you put in 3200. so my opinion would be another of 2700. But wait you can get a 512 chip of 3200 for the same price if not cheaper. put that in the system

 

no your board doesn't support dual channel memory.

as for the memory go for 512MB PC3200, they're getting cheaper and cheaper.

for manufacturer...look for kingston, mushkin, ocz.

never buy things like azenram from futureshop...

yes you can mix 512 with 256..and you can also mix manufacturer...just make sure that you set the timings properly in the mobo's bios

and it will not be "faster" sure it'll help to have a gig o' ram but...you won't notice in many games...unless you switch to a board that supports dual channel, but for dual channel you need memory sticks that are from the same manufacturer and the same model, ( no mixmatching 256 and 512) and preferably a "dual channel kit" it'll be more stable and faster



hope that helps