Less but Fast or More but Slow

[cr8ton]

Hello.

I just got an HP Pavilion dm1 Netbook with 2GB PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) RAM Installed and running a 64-bit version of Windows 7.

I have an extra 2GB PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) RAM module on hand and tried installing it. It worked but I noticed a bit of a slowdown.

My question is this; Is it better to just have the faster 2GB PC3-10600 installed or install the extra 2GB PC3-8500 and suffer the slowdown? Faster 2GB or slower but more RAM?

Thanks in advance for your comments and insights.

 

[COLGeek]

How are you measuring performance?

Regardless, more RAM is better when running more stuff. My recommendation, if stable, run 4GB.

Good luck!

 

[jaquith]

Welcome to Tom's Forums!

That's a personal call, 2GB is more of a problem than 4GB.

1333 8-8-8-24-2T ; assuming 'SPD' is the same CAS
1066 7-7-7-22-1T
=============
1066 8-8-8-24-2T ; Mixing yields the 'worst' of each and not the best. The 'difference' shouldn't be more than 1~4% depending on the quality of the RAM IC. The differences by frequency, 1333 vs 1066, alone {same quality IC} is negligible 1~2%. In general I don't advise people to mix-match RAM, the end result that concerns me more are: Stability, Errors, and Failures including random BSODs.

Therefore, I strongly recommend that you create a bootable CD/DVD and run 4-passes of Memtest86+ {ISO/Zip} -> http://www.memtest.org/

Next, if you have no errors then keep the 4GB mix otherwise if needed get a second set of your 1333 MHz.

Good Luck!

 

[cr8ton]

@COLGeek - Stable, so far. I'll observe in the next few days. Thanks.

@jaquith - Will follow your suggestion on the bootable CD/DVD as well as the Memtest. Hope it passes.

I don't really need to install the slower RAM module, it just seemed like a waste lying around. If it causes problems, I'll just get a second set of 1333 MHz RAM.

Thanks again guys!