Question about mixing ram in dual channel, and considering an SSD, need advice.

Can you run a 1GB 667MHz stick and a 2GB 667MHz stick in dual channel? I've heard some motherboards support "asymmetric dual channel" but how can I find out if the motherboard supports it or not? Also, can I run a 2GB 667MHz with a 2GB 800MHz in dual channel? I've heard that the 800MHz will only run at 667MHz, but is there any advantages/disadvantages to running a 800MHz along side a 667MHz? They cost the same price and it would be nice if I decided to upgrade to 800MHz later I would only have to upgrade one stick instead of both.

Also, I am thinking about getting a 64GB SSD. Right now I'm looking at the Kinston SSDNow V+ Series 64GB. It supports TRIM, read/write speeds are pretty fast, draws little power, and it's fairly cheap ($200) and within my price range. Does anyone know much about this drive? I'd also like some advice about which SSD's are good or bad and why.

 

Dual channel, today, barely impacts overall performance. You'll get more performance out of having more RAM (if you actually use it) then having dual channel.

As for using 667MHz and 800MHz chips side by side...yes, the 800MHz chip will run at 677MHz speeds. There are no advantages or disadvantages, except that 800MHz RAM might be cheaper.

Now on to the SSD. You need to look into what controller that SSD uses. If it a JMicron or Samsung controller it is not worth whatever price they're asking. Usually, I stick with OCZ Agility or Vertex drives as far as SSDs go. OCZ's firmware has more options/capabilities that Intel's drives though Intel's drives do offer slightly faster random read/write performance.

Not to mention you can get a 60GB Agility for as low as $129 if you look at the right time and place.

 

What's wrong with the Samsung controllers?

 

It's less about what's wrong with them and more about what's wrong about the price of Samsung controller drives in comparison to competitors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016

$2.75/GB is a very good price, the capacity is higher than the 60/64GB drives, and it's still only $219. And it happens to be the fastest drive you can get for less than $400+.

 

I just saw that one, it's OEM though, will that change anything? Like the warranty etc.? 70MB/s write speed worries me too, but I will consider it if you say so. What about the Corsair Nova and Reactor series?

Fastest drive under $400? Are you sure it's not this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227484

I'd definitely buy it if I had that kind of money to spend on an SSD, but I'd be much more comfortable in the ~$200 price range.

 

You're kind of nitpicking my point when it's an SLC drive and only $15 under my $400 price point...

You won't miss the write speed unless you make a regular habit of copying 4GB ISO's or 16GB MKV's around your drive. I'm going to have a post on this in the SSD sticky in a couple minutes with some figures.

 

Yeah you are right, I looked into it, and it appears sequential write speed is the only category it doesn't excel in, but to be honest I hardly write/copy massive files, and random read/write is really fast. The extra 16GB is nice too. Thanks for the advice, I think I'm going to buy it.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5930726&postcount=3794

There's the stats as promised.