1GB of DDR-400 vs 2GB of DDR-266

[ViableLobster83]

I was wondering because I have 1gb of DDR400 right now but was just given another 1gb of DDR but it is 266. My DDR400 is able to clock down to 266 but I was wondering if I'd be better off just sticking to the 1gb of DDR400. This is on an Intel 865GBF motherboard with dual channel config. I have my current ram in dual channel mode right now. Thanks in advance! :D

[Max Veteran]

1GB DDR400.

[PiracyX]

1GB DDR400.

Id 2nd that.

[ViableLobster83]

well despite the obvious speed difference, i must also state that i tend to run a lot of programs at once. so maybe there is a trade off with speed versus available memory?

[Garry]

Well exactly. Only you know what's most suitable for you.

If you're regularly using (or could use) over 1GB of memory, then go with the 2GB. If you rarely use over 1GB of memory you're better off going for faster memory rather than more if it although, despite what others will say, the speed increase from DDR266 to DDR400 isn't really noticable unless you're doing a heck of a lot of paging.

Having said that, if you're currently running 2x512 DDR400 in dual channel mode, and all of a sudden find yourself switching to 2x51MB 2 + 1x1GB in single channel mode you might see a speed decrease.

Since you've already been given the 1GB DDR266, I suggest you try both configs and see which you prefer.

[ViableLobster83]

the plan is to remain in dual channel mode, 512mb sticks in each of the 4 slots (two of them being ddr400 two being ddr266) i know that it will run only at the lowest speed, i guess i will have to try it out and see what happens! thanks for the suggestions.

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

id still side w/ the 1GB vs 2GB. even if you "have a lot of programs open at once" that doesnt mean you'll be using anywhere near 1GB, unless of course those programs are Photoshop or 3D graphical stuff. a lot of games use more than 1GB these days, which is terrible... but i still think youre better off w/ 1GB faster ram.

[exanimas]

I'm basically agreeing with everyone else. If it was DDR333, then it might not be as bad, but dropping all the way to 266... That's almost half the bandwidth. Like Jdawg said, make sure you're using over 1GB of memory with the programs you're running. If you aren't, keep the faster RAM.

[RangerLG]

Does your motherboard even support dual channel for all four slots? Also, some boards would not even POST when there was DDR400 and DDR266 at the same time. Check your motherboard manual to check for possible configurations.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

1GB of DDR400.. so you don't have to get rid of your ram later in life to upgrade (Y). you can always buy another 1GB of DDR400, but if you buy 266, you'll have to buy 4 sticks of 400 eventually, unless you go DDR2

[Blazkowicz]

do some benching (games, superpi 1M, whatever) then take a decision.

you won't lose dual channel so the bandwith loss is maybe not much dramatic. I guess you can live with 4GB/s.

I for one went from 768MB sdram on K7S5A to 512MB PC3200 @ 133MHz on a KT333 motherboard, due to fryed components and the difficulty of finding a sdram motherboard (I have an XP2400+). Now the PC is something like 10+% faster in benches but the lack of RAM shows in games, far cry ran great before and now it sucks a bit.

If you use that RAM, don't hesitate to put it in.

there's nothing wrong using your RAM, if you guys here refuse to use a free 1GB DDR 266 please send me your sticks :D.

you have all your time to later find 2X512MB PC3200 for cheap, or even 2X256 PC3200 for very cheap (again, nothing wrong using those sticks) and selling for cheap or giving away your DDR266 to someone you know.

Edited August 9, 2006 by Blazkowicz