How does mixing memory with different timing affect performa

[EvilEgg]

How does mixing memory with different timing affect performance? Is there only a very small difference, or is it something i should stay a away from?

I currently have Corsair 2x512MB TWINX CMX512-3200XLPT with 2-2-2-5. I been looking to add an additional 2x512MB to my current setup. To buy identical memory costs a lot. So i was wondering if i upgrade to something similar.

I was looking at something like the Corsair 2x512MB TWINX CMX512-3200C2PT with 2-3-3-6.

The other option is to buy a pair of memory sticks that is is a different brand and different timing.

What do you guys recommend?

Thank you,
EvilEgg

 

[chuckshissle]

You can mix memory with different timings and would work fine. But the performance will be affected and the higher performance ram will be automatically set to match to that of the slowest ram. But it would work fine at normal use, however it wont be a good idea when it comes to overclocking as it can be unstable.

But overall a 4x512Mb is way better than 2x512Mb in higher applications and gaming.

 

[DaveUK]

Yup I agree.

The RAM will have to be set to the most 'relaxed' timings of the modules you are using

However, in most modern applications I'd have thought the performance difference between

1GB -> 2GB RAM

would be greater than

2-3-3-6 -> 2-2-2-5 timings

by some degree.

 

[derek2006]

I have three 128mb sticks of ram. The 1 original ram stick ran at timings of 3-3-3 at 100 mhz and my 2 new ones run 2-2-2 at 100 mhz. When I installed them my computer downclocked the first stick to 83 mhz at 2-2-2. so your new sticks will run at the same timings but will be downlclocked. Thats what my old computer does anyway.

 

[angry_ducky]

The faster memory will default to the speed of the slower memory; therefore, performance will be affected a bit, but not much.

 

[EvilEgg]

Thanks for all the help!