upgrading memory

ok ,
im looking to upgrade my RAM memory , i curently have 256 mb ddr 184 pin , that is in slot 1, if i was to buy a 512 mb and put it in slot 2 would that work fine with my 256 still in slot one?
thx peanut

 

Check your motherboards manual.
My own mobo won't accept two sticks of dual channel ram unless they're both the same size and density. It will take different sizes and densities of RAM in singla channel mode.

However, your mobo my be different. Your motherboards user manual will likely be the best reference in this case.

 

Tried that on my ASUS A7V8X-X mobo, which doesn't support dual-channel memory. It didn't work. I never did find out whether it was simply the size mismatch, or whether it was because the 256MB stick was PC2700 memory and the 512MB stick was PC3200 stuff.

 

post your specs in a sig and maybe someone with that mobo can answer your question

 

I've had PC2700 & PC3200 working together... they were the same size, though.

 

Simple answer is it might do! memory is a strange grey area where compatibility is concerned,you may find it works perfectly,your computer may crash sporadically or just plain not boot!,the key is to get the memory as close a match as possible

There are a few things you can do to put the odds in your favour;-

1.buy the same brand of memory that is already in,this is tough since the memory thats in your comp you may not be able to buy any more.

2.Buy the same speed of memory,this may be considered the most important,each mem stick has a default speed hardwired into it,known as the latecies,if you stick a slower stick in with a faster the faster stick will underclock itself this is where you will run into probs,also its a waste of money.

3.buy the same size its always best to have two identically sized sticks,there are always small differences even within the same brand,it also makes life for your mem controller a little easier.

4.more of a myth and personal choice,I think its best to install memory in multiples of 32 x 2, 64 , 128 , 256 , 512 , 1024 , 2048 ,most apps seem to be optimised to one of these sizes,the numbers inbetween allways seem to offer less performance benifit.

IMHO sell the 256 and put a single stick of 512 in or raise it up to 1024 mb in 2 new 512 stcks