memory upgrade

[john9001]

I want to add more memory , have 256mb ddr pc3200 400 mhz, i would like to one more stick of 256 but every seller says i need to  remove my 256 and install two of their 256 sticks( or one 512).

is this true, i have never had this prob adding more mem before.

[Ohio43]

They are full of chit.  I wouldn't even buy the ONE you need from them after they told you that.  Just make sure what parity the memory chip is that you have.. and never mix two different memory size sticks.
  Course im still in the dark ages with PC133 chips, so maybe its different.
   Then again, it couldn't hurt to buy just one for now to see if they work together..wouldn't hurt anything.  Just wouldn't address the memory correctly.  If it doesn't work, then get another stick and ditch your old one.

[DAVENRINO]

Ohio,
I run 2x256  +  1x512 in dual channel mode with no problems.  You can usually even get away with running  RAM of different rated speeds.  It is important to run sticks of the same CAS latency or both will run at the slower setting.

[Callisto]

Go for 1Gig .

[Ohio43]

Ya, what Cal said..go for 1 Gig.  Its really in the ball park of what you want ideally for this game anyways.  Ditch your old mem stick, go for a Gig's worth

[StarOfAfrica2]

Originally posted by john9001
I want to add more memory , have 256mb ddr pc3200 400 mhz, i would like to one more stick of 256 but every seller says i need to  remove my 256 and install two of their 256 sticks( or one 512).

is this true, i have never had this prob adding more mem before.

Did you tell them it was for a gaming rig?  More than likely they were trying to sell you MATCHED PAIRS of RAM sticks.  Matched pairs are what you want if you are OC'ing your RAM, and favored by most hardcore gamers.  

That said, the others are right.  You can mix anything from PC2100 to PC3200 together, and it will simply run at the slowest RAM stick's speed and latency.  Having to match the size and speed rating of your RAM sticks went away with PC 133.  Even then, with some MOBO's you could get away with different size sticks as long as they were the same speed.

[AmRaaM]

2x512 in dual if board supports it.

other than that i've mixed and mismatched alot of diff. modules and there really is no appreciable difference in performance without running high load test software on them and trying to get your performance up to the "nth" degree.

just as long as your have at least 512 in most systems and dont have Kazaa or something like that running in the background your performance will improve dramatically in most cases.

a better vidcard will gain the next most improvement.