Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > PC2-5300 (333MHz) & PC2-6400 (400Mhz) can be combined?

PC2-5300 (333MHz) & PC2-6400 (400Mhz) can be combined?

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - PC2-5300 (333MHz) & PC2-6400 (400Mhz) can be combined?

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emirates   07-20-2008 at 01:55:23 PM

Hi,

I upgraded my RAM memory and did not notice that my 2 memory sticks have different config.
I have in my motherboard installed a PC2-5300(33Mhz) 2GB RAM and I just bought a another 2GB RAM with a 6400(400Mhz)specs.

I just noticed that after installing the additional RAM, om th system properties it shows only total of 3GB RAM.
My PC started acting funny by reseting displaying a a blue screen with some memory dump error.

Need your help if I can do something to make this work.

tks in advance

Denis

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homerdog   07-20-2008 at 02:45:30 PM
- 0 +

Yes you can mix and match different speeds of RAM, all the sticks will simply operate at the speed of the slowest stick in the bunch (333MHz in your case).

As for you only seeing 3GB, I assume you have a 32 bit version of Windows. 32 bit Windows is limited to a little over 3GB. You need a 64 bit OS to see the full 4GB.

Reply to homerdog
emirates   07-20-2008 at 06:07:48 PM
- 0 +

tks for the advise.
I am using windows XP professional edition.( i guess its the 32 bit windows version you are referring to?).

If it is ok to mix, what do you think is the cause of my PC having to reset and show a blue screen with some memory dump error? ( I did not exactly capture the error message 'coz I am afraid that it will do harm on my PC. Aftter if happened twice, I removed the other memory stick.

Waiting for your advise..

tks

Reply to emirates
homerdog   07-20-2008 at 07:41:47 PM
- 0 +

Hmm I don't know so I'll bump, maybe somebody else can help you :)

Reply to homerdog
4X4   07-21-2008 at 05:36:54 PM
- 0 +

I put 3 Gb into a computer with max capasity of 2 Gb, the same thing happened, restart, blue screen etc. Removed 1Gb and everything got back to normal. My computer also got much slower with 3Gb. I used SIW to find max capasity of memory.

Reply to 4X4
zippal   07-03-2009 at 12:08:26 PM
- 0 +

it's easy actually my friend. hit key when u start your pc till boot screen appears. then go to memory setting and set it to auto. in your case,maybe u set it at certain value such 667MHz. that's it

Reply to zippal
meodowla   07-09-2009 at 12:30:51 PM
- 0 +

PC2 5300 means 667MHz RAM. As it is in dual channel, shows 333 independently.
PC2 6400 means 800MHz RAM. In dual channel mode, 400 MHz independently.
Windows 32 bit O.S is capable of working with upto 3.5GB of RAM. For utilising full 4GB, a 64bit O.S is needed.
Also mixing of PC2 5300 + PC2 6400 = PC2 5300 output. System automatically downgrades to the lowest speed available.

 

Check your motherboard specification about maximum memory it supports.


Message edited by meodowla on 07-09-2009 at 12:32:54 PM
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