Is it necessary to install matching pairs of RAM ?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by FR3@K, Oct 23, 2007.

  1. #1
    I have 1 crucial 256mb RAM installed , i have 4 slots in total , so 3 are left , i want to install another 256 mb ram but i am thinking to buy kingston ram , is it OK to install 1 crucial and 1 kingston ram ??
     
    FR3@K, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  2. jmhyer123

    jmhyer123 Peon

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    #2
    Yeah as long as it's the same type, like PC3200 DDR or DDR2 or whatever. It just has to be the same type so it works together and doesn't cause problems. If their not the same your computer will frequently freeze up and BSOD's will occur quite often.
     
    jmhyer123, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  3. HeeLiX

    HeeLiX Banned

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    #3
    Yes, mixing brands is fine.

    Just make sure they are the same speed.

    There are several speeds, the lowest speed stick you put it, is the speed that all sticks will run at.
     
    HeeLiX, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  4. FR3@K

    FR3@K Banned

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    #4
    and how do i find out the pc3200 thing??
     
    FR3@K, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  5. jmhyer123

    jmhyer123 Peon

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    #5
    From the current ram already installed? I suggest get CPU-Z it's a program that's free and will tell you everything about your computer.

    From the new ram? It should tell you on the product page or they will be able to tell you at the store.
     
    jmhyer123, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  6. iatbm

    iatbm Prominent Member

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    #6
    Try and you see if it works or not :D

    I ran 3 different ones at times and it worked....
     
    iatbm, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  7. HeeLiX

    HeeLiX Banned

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    #7
    Or when your computer boots up, it should say when it runs the memory check.
     
    HeeLiX, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  8. FR3@K

    FR3@K Banned

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    #8
    ah my ram is pc2700 , so that means i cant install a kingston 256 mb ram with it :(
     
    FR3@K, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  9. HeeLiX

    HeeLiX Banned

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    #9
    Yeah, you will need to buy the PC2700 stick.

    If you get any higher with speed, it wouldnt be worth it, since it will run as the lowest speed.
     
    HeeLiX, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  10. jmhyer123

    jmhyer123 Peon

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    #10
    Yeah, you can run any brand together with any other brand as long as they are the same speed (PC2700 is the speed, it's something like 400 or 500 mhz) and it doesn't have to be the same size either, you could throw a 256MB stick in with a 1GB stick.
     
    jmhyer123, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  11. HeeLiX

    HeeLiX Banned

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    #11
    ^^^^

    What he said!

    LOL
     
    HeeLiX, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  12. samantha pia

    samantha pia Prominent Member

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    #12
    go to crucial.com and run their system checker to find the ram you can get for your pc,
     
    samantha pia, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  13. GRIM

    GRIM Prominent Member

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    #13
    If you can get a faster stick of ram such as pc3200 DDR for less then the pc2700 go for the 3200 especially if it's the same brand. It should simply slow down to the other stick.

    Some types of ram however do not play nice with others, my experience Kingston does not like to play nicely all the time. I have had more than one stick of Kingston that simply will not work with any other brand.
     
    GRIM, Oct 23, 2007 IP
  14. FR3@K

    FR3@K Banned

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    #14
    wait can i install them like this :

    i have 4 slots , there are 2 pairs of slots , in this formation :

    1 2 ---- 3 4


    so maybe i could install the pc2700 on 1st slot and pc3200 on 3rd slot..
    so there will be 1 RAM stick on each pair..
    will this work fine?
     
    FR3@K, Oct 24, 2007 IP
  15. FR3@K

    FR3@K Banned

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    #15
    can anyone please answer my question ?? its very simple..
     
    FR3@K, Oct 25, 2007 IP
  16. Freewebspace

    Freewebspace Notable Member

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    #16
    Make sure that you purchase Good and right RAM's , once upon time a I messed with my RAM's (new ones) and crashed my mother board!

    Better ask the customer service or in Computer forums about changing RAM's
     
    Freewebspace, Oct 25, 2007 IP
  17. davewashere

    davewashere Active Member

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    #17
    I don't think it will matter, but I'd use slots 1 and 2.
     
    davewashere, Oct 25, 2007 IP
  18. FR3@K

    FR3@K Banned

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    #18
    no i am talking about different speeds of rams..
    i dont think that they can be combined together so i am thinking to install them in seperate pair , i want to know , will this work ??
     
    FR3@K, Oct 25, 2007 IP