Notebook (Arrandale CPU): Mixing RAM

Hi

I understand that mixing RAM of different speeds is a much discussed forum topic online but would like to seek your enlightened input regarding a few details with the relatively new Arrandale CPU.

I plan to buy a notebook with i3-350m which comes with 1 2GB SODIMM DDR3 RAM 1066 MHz stick. Since i3-350m runs dual-channel, I assume that adding another stick is sensible.

My queries are:
(1) Should the second stick be identical in size (ie, 2GB) for best performance?
(2) The notebook supports both 1066MHz and 1333 MHz DDR3 RAM. Is it alright to add a second stick which is 1333MHz and will presumably be downclocked to 1066MHz?

I've a desktop PC with 4 sticks - 1 DDR2 667 pair and 1 DDR2 800 pair - and runs fine. However, it's not clear, in view of Arrandale's design (no more FSB), whether it's a good idea to mix RAM sticks of differing speeds within a pair. This led to query (2) above.


Your feedback is most welcome and appreciated!

 

Yes, I always recommend running the platform in dual channel mode. Even if the RAM will be underutilized at the beginning of the notebooks life, eventually, the programs, Windows and A/V will find a way to use all of its resources fully.

For:

1) Yes, same size - but I go further and simply chuck/sell the old RAM and put in two identical new sticks. This has solved a lot of random errors and glitches in the past. I would not trust a new system with mismatched RAM modules.

2) Again, it will downclock just as you expect it too - but see 1) above.

I would buy two identical 1333 modules and sell (or keep as 'backup') the original RAM.

If you're 'only' gaming - I guess mismatched sticks might cost you a frame or two? But if you're depending on your systems for business purposes like I am, you may consider my more 'anal' approach.

Good luck.

 

It really doesn't matter what you get, any stick will give make your memory dual channel. If you purchase matching size, it will run synchronously, else it will be asynchronous. Your CPU only supports 1066MHz, so if you get 1333MHz, it will just downclock (even if both sticks are 1333MHz). Mixing memory is never an issue nowadays since memory bandwidth will never be the bottleneck to any situation, with the exception of low end GPU gaming on integrated graphics. IMO get the cheapest memory solution with lifetime warranty, since all major ODMs will guarantee their memory for lifetime.