Memory Question

[SIK1]

I'm currently running 1GB (two sticks 512mb) ddr(pc3200) memory, and I would like to upgrade to 2GB.

My question is what would be better?  Buying one more gig (two sticks 512mb), or buying 2GB(two sticks 1GB), and possibly running 3GB(two sticks of 1GB, and two sticks of 512mb) if that can be done?

Also any recomendations on brand of memory.

TIA

[Spatula]

To a degree it depends on what your motherboard can and cant manage. Whats your MOBO?

[SIK1]

Mobo is a MSI K8N neo2 platinum.

AMD Athlon 64 +3800

Windows XP pro.

[Spatula]

Check out:
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=k8n_neo2_platinum

for memory combinations which will work for you.

Theres no reason why you couldnt run 2x512 (in green slots), and 2x1Gig (in purple slots) giving you 3 gig. Or 2x512 (in green slots) and 2x512 (in purple slots).

For best results match the new RAM to the existing RAM in latency timings and make sure the two new modules are identical, so you can continue using dual channel - assuming your running dual channel now.

[AKDogg]

In order for u to use all 4 slots to keep Dual channel mode u must us single sided DDR ram.  Not Dual sided.  If u use dual sided, your computer will slow down to 333 on the FSB.  In AH u will see the degrade in performance regardless of the added ram.  If your current ram is single sided, make sure your new ram is single sided (ex. 2x 512 single sided ram).  

BTW, u must up grade in pairs to maintain Dual Channel mode.  Again if u have a odd number of memory sticks meaning only 1 or 3 memory sticks installed, your computer will revert to 64 bit memory instead of 128 bit which again will slow u down even more.   Essentially half the speed.

If u can't get single sided ram or your current ram is not single sided then u must lose the current ram u got installed and put 2x1gig ram in to maintain your DDR400 Dual channel mode (128 bit).  If u don't, U will end up with DDR333 single channel mode (64 bit) making your computer alot slower regardless of the memory increase.

[SIK1]

Thanks for the replies.

I have a couple more dumb questions.

How do I check the timing of my memory? (ie. the memory I'm looking at is 2.5-3-3-6) I don't know what my current memory timing is.

Does anyone have any experiance with G.SKILL brand? I was looking at this brand on newegg and it seems to have received good reviews over all.

I think I'm going to go with 2GB(2x1GB) and that way there should not be any issues with my existing memory. Once I know that the 2gigs work I may try adding in my current memory and seeing how it all works together.

Again, thanks for any and all responces.

[DAVENRINO]

You can find your timings in the BIOS or run CPU Z.

No problems with my GSkill at advertized timings.