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    Mix n' match RAM?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by daedal, Jan 5, 2007.

  1. daedal

    daedal Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've got an HP DV8320ca currently strapped down with a gig of 4200 RAM. What I want to do is upgrade to two gigs since I do allot of heavy Photoshop and 3D work on it.

    My budget won't currently allow me to go and spend 300$ on two 1gig sticks so my question is: can I buy a single gig stick and replace one of the 512mb units currently in my laptop without causing any issues with mixing companies?

    I know this would be a big mistake on my P4 rig since the memory runs in dual-channel for best performance but would it be worth it for me to do so in my laptop? I'm guessing this would not void warranty by the way?

    Current config:
    CPU: Intel Core Duo T2050 @ 1.6ghz, 533 FSB
    VIDEO: GeForce Go7600
    RAM: 2x512mb 4200
    HDD: 2x80gig 5400 RPM

    Thanks guys. I appreciate any help you can offer.
     
    daedal, Jan 5, 2007
    #1
  2. vassil_98

    vassil_98 Notebook Deity

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    You wll lose the dual-channel but it's not of big help anyway, so go for one stick 1gb PC4200 and sell the 512mb on Ebay.
    For better compatibility buy a well-known brand like Crucial, although I don't think you will have problems with any other working chip. Be sure to test the new RAM with Memtest86+ for several hours (overnight maybe). Changing the RAM will not void the warranty.
     
    vassil_98, Jan 5, 2007
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  3. daedal

    daedal Notebook Enthusiast

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    Awesome. That's exactly the kind of reply I was looking for. Thank you very much.
     
    daedal, Jan 5, 2007
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  4. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Even though you are using two different capacity sticks of RAM, you will still have dual-channel - it's a feature of the Intel 945 chipset that allows RAM to run in dual-channel mode, even if you do not have two even-sized chips. It's called asynchronous dual-channel. If you have matching sticks, it's synchronous dual-channel. Asynchronous dual-channel doesn't provide much of a boost at all; even synchronous doesn't as vassil mentioned. I wouldn't worry about it either way.

    More RAM = better. The Core (2) Duo processors simply don't need the extra bandwidth offered by dual-channel like some processors.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jan 5, 2007
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  5. Seraphim

    Seraphim Notebook Enthusiast

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    Keep an eye on outpost.com. They have a deal for $160 for a 2 gig set.
     
    Seraphim, Jan 6, 2007
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  6. Lil Mayz

    Lil Mayz Notebook Deity

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    Lil Mayz, Jan 6, 2007
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  7. daedal

    daedal Notebook Enthusiast

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    Bit of a late reply, but thanks again guys. :)
    Awesome info.
     
    daedal, Jan 9, 2007
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