New System: 3GB or 2GB?

[Dominant Giraffe]

Hey, I'm building a new computer on the P5QL-E motherboard, and I've ordered 2 gigs of DDR2 800 RAM to put in. The thing is, I upgraded the RAM on my old machine a while ago (Dell E510), which is also 240-PIN DDR2. For the E510, I bought 2 x 1GB DDR2 533. Since the P5QL-E has 4 memory slots, should I plug in one of the DDR2 533 sticks as well (for a total of 3GB)? I'm just not clear as to what will happen when I do (will the dual-channel on the previous two sticks be disabled? Will the speed of the previous two sticks be downgraded to DDR2 533)?

In case your curious;

The P5QL-E I ordered: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131322

The DDR2 800 RAM I ordered: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117

The DDR2 533 RAM in my current system (I'm pretty sure): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231018

 

[Huttfuzz]

Dont plug the ddr2 533 stick.

Many reasons.

1. The memory altogether will run at 533 mhz, since it's the lower specs.

2. Memory might have different Voltages.

3. If you put three sticks, it wont run in dual-channel.

4. Never recommended to put different brands of mem together.

5. etc..

 

[rambo117]

^1+ poster above

dont put in slower ram with faster ram. your computer will accept the lowest timings and force your higher clocked memory to run @ 533mhz

 

[Dougx1317]

4GB of 533 usually has better performance than 2GB of 800. I don't disagree with the two posts above, but the amount of memory is usually more important than the speed of it.

This may not be true for you since we don't know the tasks you're doing and 2GB is plenty for most people. It's probably not worth the risk, since you could always just buy another 2GB for $24.