I have 1 512 and 2 256 and have not had any problems at all on a mac

reckless_savant wrote: A friend heard that you will have latency problems is your RAM is not matched, i.e. a 256MB with a 512MB as opposed to two 256MB sticks. Anyone else heard/experienced that?

I'm getting ready to buy a computer for recording and want to know this first.

thanks

Latency issues shouldn't be a problem because of the mismatch in stick size. The issue will be you can't run these 2 sticks in Dual Channel mode. Dual Channel DDR will not allow for latency timings as low as single channel but it's nothing you'll notice in performance. For Dual Channel operation you want two memory modules the same size and speed. Like two 512Mb sticks that are DDR400 or two that are DDR333.

If your motherboard supports Dual Channel mode then its worth just paying a bit extra for a matched pair of ram.

If youve got an old 256 stick , stick it at the back of a cupboard and get a pair of 512's, if you need to save up an extra month then do so, its worth the wait (imo)

You didn't say what computer. :lol:

If it's a G5 Mac then yes, you have to install in matched pairs.

On this topic, I was glad to find out after I built my machine that the Intel PBZ875 motherboard supports dual-channel matched RAM. I already had a 512 Ultra Low Latency Corsair block in there, and when I saw that PC Club had the same RAM in matched pairs, I put those in too. So now I have over 1.5 GB of RAM, and the machine is very happy.

I love my new P4 2.8E running at 3.34 GHz and 480MHz Dual Channel RAM!!! Can't do THAT with a (fill in the blank - as not to offend anyone)...

Matched RAM is important for reliable DC operation IMO - no matter what the platform... :cool:

Randyman... wrote: I love my new P4 2.8E running at 3.34 GHz and 480MHz Dual Channel RAM!!! Can't do THAT with a (fill in the blank - as not to offend anyone)...

Matched RAM is important for reliable DC operation IMO - no matter what the platform... :cool:

Randyman: Your 2.8GHz is a Prescott I take it from the 'E' designation. How hot do these things really get? Are you using the stock Intel HSF or have you got an aftermarket one?

You got your FSB up to nearly 240MHz, what mobo is it on? And is it a Socket 478?

Sorry about the questions, I have an 800FSB P4 & I'm looking at upgrading the CPU to a 3.2 or 3.4 but the Northwood 3.4 is getting hard to come by.

Thanks.

I DO indeed have a "PresHOT" as they are nick-named - and I DO have an aftermarket HSF. I run a socket 478 Asus P4C800E-Dlx with a ThermalRight SLK-947U heat sink that I lapped with 600/1000Grit sandpapder (wet/dry).

With this OC, it runs at 50*C MAX @ full load, and idles around 40*C. With the "Stock HSF" it was a hair OVER 60*C - still well below Intel's "70*C cutoff", but too hot for my tastes.

The RAM is screaming, and I am 1000% happy with my creation. I did some case mods for improved airflow using more fans (and larger fans) at lower speeds to lessen noise - but IMPROVE cooling. It worked in my case (pun intended ;) )

FYI - The Prescott's with the 1Meg of L2 do have a small memory bandwidth increase, but the "Northwood" "C" cores are better Overclockers FWIW. Still 800MHz w/HT, but only 512MB of L2, and 120nm manufacturing process (opposed to the Prescott's 90nm manufacturing).

The prescotts actualy use a V-Core of 1.4v opposed to the higher V-Core of the Northwood (due to the smaller 90nm process)... The CACHE is where all the heat is coming from!

Amazing what I learned after building just 1 PC, huh? I still have the tweaker's syndrome - so I'm FAR from done...

Later :cool:

Thanks for that, at least I know it is possible to keep cool and maybe quiet.