Used RAM any loss of power?

I can have 1.5GB of all PC-5300, or 2GB of mixed PC-5300/PC-4200. Which would be better?

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The original question was - Would used RAM be any slower than a brand new one? Price difference aside, is there any loss of power getting used RAM? Also is the same RAM in a different brand any faster. The few extra bucks is happily spent if it makes the computer faster, would more expensive brands be.

 

60MPH is 60MPH is 60MPH. A ton of feathers weighs the same as a ton of bricks.

That answers all your questions 100%.

 

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this. As long is its the same RAM (DDR3, DDR2) with the same clock speed, brand doesn't really matter, nor does new/used. Unless you take into account the condition of the used one..if it's damaged then that's a different story

 

Damaged RAM generally does not work. But since waleed kind of expanded a little. And this has zero difference between the question of new vs used. OP you are aware that clocks and latency determine the performance/bandwidth.

 

So im not going to get a performance gain by getting some more expensive RAM on sale opposed to ValueRAM or some used ones your saying?

Assumed the same MHz and type would make it exactly the same, think your smart saving a couple bucks but would be a kick in the if you didn't get the same speed. Just want to double check you know.

By clock speed you are regarding the MHz of the RAM right? How big does latency usually fluctuate between RAMs? Appreciate the info man. And to you too waleed, and notice the 786 in your name brother.

 

In current DDR3 I only see latency fluctuate about 1 clock cycle for CL at same clocks. Not really that big of deal just wanted to cover bases.

 

Thats a great thing to do. Got a dude lined up for RAM, not important for me to find out the latency for it would it? Brand is Samsung.

On a different note. I got a new laptop and its got 1GB of RAM in it. I'm considering replacing the 512MB stick of PC-5300 with a 1GB stick of PC-4200 from my broken laptop. Think the extra 50% RAM is worth having different types in there?

 

Of the two RAM SO-DIMM's you ask about I will say yes 1GB a little slower is better than 512KB faster. In general there could be exceptions like if you never needed 512KB of RAM but I don't see that as realistic.

Edit: Can you put the 1GB and 512KB sticks in together? I would.

 

If you mean the 1GB being 4200 and 512MB of 5300 together than yes i can. Sound good but didn't completely get that, if i wasn't using more than 1gb of RAM most the time is it not the best idea. Well actually a 1GB limit is pretty low regardless.

Change of plan. Getting a 1GB stick of PC-5300, so its 1.5GB of PC-5300, or 2GB of mixed PC-5300/PC-4200?

 

What OS but I tend to go more is better than faster. The slower clock likely has lower CL that helps offset the clock advantage of those real world.

 

This has already been explained but there is absolutely no difference, which is why tons of people buy used ram for cheaper as long as it hasn't been used for years or they are prepared for that. Ram lasts a redicilously long time if you don't overclock it, lots of ram comes with a life time warranty.

No there is no speed/performance difference between new and used. The only thing you have to worry about is people selling ram that they have almost used to death etc.

 

Gotcha thanks. Things developed a bit what would you advise on this?

I can have 1.5GB of all PC-5300, or 2GB of mixed PC-5300/PC-4200. Which would be better?

 

If the RAM fits you can do both (2GB would be better), just pop it in and see if you can. It wont damage the computer, sometimes it wont be 'seen' by the bios though, depending on compatibility of your motherboard and such.

Just put it in and try, but if the pins/connectors are the same then the RAM should fit and the computer should recognise it and allocate it. Then you can use it.

 

No i know i can use it, just mean which one would be better.

 

you want the ram the same spec
so all pc5300 or all pc 4200
because they run at different speeds and if you mix them you will make the pc5300(677mhz)run at the pc4200`s 533mhz speed
so the 1.5gb running at its full 667mhz would be faster than 2gb running at 533mhz

 

More RAM is always better than slower RAM. You can gimmie 4GB of DD1 vs 1GB of DD3 anyday of the week! My system will run circles around yours.

Even if the system has mixed RAM and therefore running in the slower mode it definitely MUCH better to get 2GB vs 1.5GB just to have faster Mhz. Frankly, Windows 7 runs just as fast on my Thinkpad T43 (Pentium M, 2GB DDR2) as on my Thinkpad T410s (Core I series, 2GB of DDR3 -now bumped to 4GB)

Same goes to say for Dual-Channel. I see people all the time sticking with lower amounts of RAM 2GB vs 3GB or 4gb vs 5/6GB, because they want DC mode. That wont make a lick of difference in the real world, trust me, you wont see the difference between 5ns or 7ns!

 

if he runs the 2gb he will be getting slow mhz not faster
and seeing as it only 500mb difference the extra speed from the 1.5gb should be faster because of the faster mhz
if it was more the 500mb difference i to would have said more ram would be better