1gig@400 or 2 gigs@333

[awake]

so I've got 1gig of 400mhz ram(2,3,2,5) and another 1gig of 333mhz (3,3,3,7). Would it be better to run the 1gig at faster speed or run 2 gigs at the slower speed...also the second gig of ram has looser timings so it would have to run at those as well. This is all single channel btw. My board doesn't support dual-channel.

Thanks in advance.
-Scott

[Schalldämpfer]

2 gigs.

[Talus]

I'm the same boat. I had 2x512 MB of PC2700 in my machine and bought 2x512 MB of PC3200 to replace it. Since I still had some performance issues, I simply put all 4 stick in my machine and divided the RAM speed down to 333 MHz and it runs amazingly now.

I highly recommend 2 GB at least until the patch comes out.

[DeathGiver]

Why not 2 gigs of 400?

[Drevor]

uh .. money?

Id choose the 2G

[Nitemare]

Seriously, not everyone has money to spend on computer parts all the time.

[awake]

thanks for the advice guys, I think I'll add the other gig then.

[Shamus]

I set up my system in the same manner using PC2700 and PC3200 modules (4x512MB) in Dual Channel. I did not experience any of the benefits that others claim. But I have a bottleneck in my system that may override the benefit of additional RAM. I have an aging 9700 Pro holding me back.

Regardless, I switched back to running 1GB super fast over 2GB of slower speed and timings. Your mileage will vary but adding more RAM will only smooth out game play, not increase fps.

[imported_Mutrino]

Comparing 1 Gb@400 versus 2 Gb@333 you will loose some bandwidth with the 2 Gb's.

I did the same thing, I had 2x512 Mb PC4200 (for overclocking purposes) and just decided to add a Gig (2x512) of PC3200 I had laying around. Bandwidth suffers if you do that although overall performance 'appears' better. It is a small difference though. When I have the money I will replace the PC3200 sticks with either PC4000 or PC4200 and see what happens, should be better.

[Eddy01741]

Comparing 1 Gb@400 versus 2 Gb@333 you will loose some bandwidth with the 2 Gb's.

I did the same thing, I had 2x512 Mb PC4200 (for overclocking purposes) and just decided to add a Gig (2x512) of PC3200 I had laying around. Bandwidth suffers if you do that although overall performance 'appears' better. It is a small difference though. When I have the money I will replace the PC3200 sticks with either PC4000 or PC4200 and see what happens, should be better.
Ok, first off, to the topic starter, if you have any intents to overclock your CPU whatsoever, get the PC3200, it has much better ram timings, 2-3-3-5vs. 3-3-3-7, if you're only going to play BF2 and not overclock, get the PC2700. And, now, to Mutrino, on an AMD mobo, would it make a difference if i put in PC4200 or PC3200 ram, cause on my mobo, the standard ram speed is PC3200, and i assume if i buy PC4200 ram, it will just run at PC3200 speed, can you clarify if this is right or wrong Mutrino?