If I add DDR2 800MHz RAM while I have DDR2 533MHz installed..what would happen?

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ATLReppa770

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#1 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts
I heard that the DDR2 800MHz RAM would ONLY be set at 533MHz until I removed the 533MHz and then it'll go back to 800MHz mode. Is that all true?
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Baselerd

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#2 Baselerd
Member since 2003 • 5104 Posts
Yes, the ram speed will be decreased to the slowest ram. You can go into your bios and change it, but considering slow ram is generally budget ram, it won't overclock to anywhere close to 800. (Even for really nice ram I don't think could jump that far)
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jfelisario

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#3 jfelisario
Member since 2006 • 2753 Posts
it will go BOOM! just kiddin, well the faster ram will be downclocked to the slowest speed, so its best to have matching speed ram in the set up.
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ATLReppa770

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#5 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts

Yes, the ram speed will be decreased to the slowest ram. You can go into your bios and change it, but considering slow ram is generally budget ram, it won't overclock to anywhere close to 800. (Even for really nice ram I don't think could jump that far)Baselerd

 

Well, I'm deciding on getting a G. Skill 2GB (one stick, single channel) DDR-II; 800 RAM. Right now I only have 1GB of DELL 533MHz (two sticks). So I figured I would just take out those two sticks and add the ONE stick, that way my speed would not be decreased and I would still be faster than before. The other RAM I would have to sell I guess =(. Also, I noticed in your sig you have the same processor as me (4200+) but at your clock speed, is that by default or did you over-clock it? If so, how hard is it to do? Is there a big difference from your speed and defaults'? Thanks!  

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Cozzie_92

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#6 Cozzie_92
Member since 2007 • 193 Posts

[QUOTE="Baselerd"]Yes, the ram speed will be decreased to the slowest ram. You can go into your bios and change it, but considering slow ram is generally budget ram, it won't overclock to anywhere close to 800. (Even for really nice ram I don't think could jump that far)ATLReppa770

 

Well, I'm deciding on getting a G. Skill 2GB (one stick, single channel) DDR-II; 800 RAM. Right now I only have 1GB of DELL 533MHz (two sticks). So I figured I would just take out those two sticks and add the ONE stick, that way my speed would not be decreased and I would still be faster than before. The other RAM I would have to sell I guess =(. Also, I noticed in your sig you have the same processor as me (4200+) but at your clock speed, is that by default or did you over-clock it? If so, how hard is it to do? Is there a big difference from your speed and defaults'? Thanks!  

It would be better if you had 3gb at 533mhz than only 2gb at 800mhz, but i understand that you may only have 2 ram slots... in which case i suggest you using 2.5gb at 533mhz
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george_hopkins

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#7 george_hopkins
Member since 2005 • 1397 Posts
If you only have 2 ram slots i would guess having slightly less high speed ram would be better. If you have 4 or 6 i would suggest getting 2gb in 533mhz ram. 3gb of lower speed is better than 2gb of high speed.
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ATLReppa770

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#9 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts
Uhh, I don't. I have 4 RAM slots.
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ATLReppa770

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#10 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts
[QUOTE="ATLReppa770"]

[QUOTE="Baselerd"]Yes, the ram speed will be decreased to the slowest ram. You can go into your bios and change it, but considering slow ram is generally budget ram, it won't overclock to anywhere close to 800. (Even for really nice ram I don't think could jump that far)Cozzie_92

 

Well, I'm deciding on getting a G. Skill 2GB (one stick, single channel) DDR-II; 800 RAM. Right now I only have 1GB of DELL 533MHz (two sticks). So I figured I would just take out those two sticks and add the ONE stick, that way my speed would not be decreased and I would still be faster than before. The other RAM I would have to sell I guess =(. Also, I noticed in your sig you have the same processor as me (4200+) but at your clock speed, is that by default or did you over-clock it? If so, how hard is it to do? Is there a big difference from your speed and defaults'? Thanks!

It would be better if you had 3gb at 533mhz than only 2gb at 800mhz, but i understand that you may only have 2 ram slots... in which case i suggest you using 2.5gb at 533mhz

 

I was thinking about getting three 2GB sticks, to equal to 6GB of RAM, so that'll last me a very, very long time. That's why I am taking out the 533MHz. Is four 533MHz (dual channel for both) better than 6GB of 800MHz (dual channel with 4GB)??? 

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Cozzie_92

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#11 Cozzie_92
Member since 2007 • 193 Posts
[QUOTE="Cozzie_92"][QUOTE="ATLReppa770"]

[QUOTE="Baselerd"]Yes, the ram speed will be decreased to the slowest ram. You can go into your bios and change it, but considering slow ram is generally budget ram, it won't overclock to anywhere close to 800. (Even for really nice ram I don't think could jump that far)ATLReppa770

 

Well, I'm deciding on getting a G. Skill 2GB (one stick, single channel) DDR-II; 800 RAM. Right now I only have 1GB of DELL 533MHz (two sticks). So I figured I would just take out those two sticks and add the ONE stick, that way my speed would not be decreased and I would still be faster than before. The other RAM I would have to sell I guess =(. Also, I noticed in your sig you have the same processor as me (4200+) but at your clock speed, is that by default or did you over-clock it? If so, how hard is it to do? Is there a big difference from your speed and defaults'? Thanks!

It would be better if you had 3gb at 533mhz than only 2gb at 800mhz, but i understand that you may only have 2 ram slots... in which case i suggest you using 2.5gb at 533mhz

 

I was thinking about getting three 2GB sticks, to equal to 6GB of RAM, so that'll last me a very, very long time. That's why I am taking out the 533MHz. Is four 533MHz (dual channel for both) better than 6GB of 800MHz (dual channel with 4GB)??? 

no the fastet ram will be more powerful
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george_hopkins

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#12 george_hopkins
Member since 2005 • 1397 Posts
6gb will be massive overkill for your processor. 2 gigs should be enough for most things.
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sykonfc

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#13 sykonfc
Member since 2004 • 607 Posts
It won't slow his processor down any, but it won't help him much. If I were you, I'd just buy two DDR2-800 (1GB) sticks and go that route. 2 gigs of memory is enough for todays games.
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kbubba92

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#14 kbubba92
Member since 2006 • 1273 Posts
ok i have 1gb and i can play all games just fine.
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ATLReppa770

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#15 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts

It won't slow his processor down any, but it won't help him much. If I were you, I'd just buy two DDR2-800 (1GB) sticks and go that route. 2 gigs of memory is enough for todays games.sykonfc

 

So, I should buy two 1GB sticks instead of one 2GB stick? Why? I can save more slots my way. What did that other guy mean when he said over kill my processor, is that a bad thing? Why would it slow me down. Also, when I decide to switch to 6GB of RAM will be in a long time.  

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#16 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts

ok i have 1gb and i can play all games just fine.kbubba92

 

Yeah, well then why is G.R.A.W. and Vegas really slow for me? Is it because of my video card? 

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Cozzie_92

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#17 Cozzie_92
Member since 2007 • 193 Posts

[QUOTE="kbubba92"]ok i have 1gb and i can play all games just fine.ATLReppa770

 

Yeah, well then why is G.R.A.W. and Vegas really slow for me? Is it because of my video card? 

yep that video card is weak
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#18 mouthforbathory
Member since 2006 • 2114 Posts

[QUOTE="sykonfc"]It won't slow his processor down any, but it won't help him much. If I were you, I'd just buy two DDR2-800 (1GB) sticks and go that route. 2 gigs of memory is enough for todays games.ATLReppa770

 

So, I should buy two 1GB sticks instead of one 2GB stick? Why? I can save more slots my way. What did that other guy mean when he said over kill my processor, is that a bad thing? Why would it slow me down. Also, when I decide to switch to 6GB of RAM will be in a long time.

 

A 2 GB stick of RAM costs at least twice as much as buying two 1 GB sticks.  Hell for notebooks, a single 2 GB stick costs in excess of $700 or $800, no kidding. 

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#19 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts
[QUOTE="ATLReppa770"]

[QUOTE="sykonfc"]It won't slow his processor down any, but it won't help him much. If I were you, I'd just buy two DDR2-800 (1GB) sticks and go that route. 2 gigs of memory is enough for todays games.mouthforbathory

 

So, I should buy two 1GB sticks instead of one 2GB stick? Why? I can save more slots my way. What did that other guy mean when he said over kill my processor, is that a bad thing? Why would it slow me down. Also, when I decide to switch to 6GB of RAM will be in a long time.

 

A 2 GB stick of RAM costs at least twice as much as buying two 1 GB sticks. Hell for notebooks, a single 2 GB stick costs in excess of $700 or $800, no kidding.

 

I don't know where you do your shopping then. Just go to newegg and they have G. Skill DDR II RAM (2GB single channel for $179, including shipping). I would rather save myself a slot by spending an extra $30 then taking up my slots like I did this time. 

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#20 george_hopkins
Member since 2005 • 1397 Posts

[QUOTE="kbubba92"]ok i have 1gb and i can play all games just fine.ATLReppa770

 

Yeah, well then why is G.R.A.W. and Vegas really slow for me? Is it because of my video card?


That video card is truly horrible. Instead of buying huge amounts of ram just get another 533mhz gig stick to take you to 2 gigs and buy a decent graphics card such as a 7900 series card or even a 8800gts if you can spend that much.
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#21 sykonfc
Member since 2004 • 607 Posts
[QUOTE="mouthforbathory"][QUOTE="ATLReppa770"]

[QUOTE="sykonfc"]It won't slow his processor down any, but it won't help him much. If I were you, I'd just buy two DDR2-800 (1GB) sticks and go that route. 2 gigs of memory is enough for todays games.ATLReppa770

 

So, I should buy two 1GB sticks instead of one 2GB stick? Why? I can save more slots my way. What did that other guy mean when he said over kill my processor, is that a bad thing? Why would it slow me down. Also, when I decide to switch to 6GB of RAM will be in a long time.

 

A 2 GB stick of RAM costs at least twice as much as buying two 1 GB sticks. Hell for notebooks, a single 2 GB stick costs in excess of $700 or $800, no kidding.

 

I don't know where you do your shopping then. Just go to newegg and they have G. Skill DDR II RAM (2GB single channel for $179, including shipping). I would rather save myself a slot by spending an extra $30 then taking up my slots like I did this time.


As I said earlier having three gigs of memory won't affect your processor, but it also WON'T give you any benefit in the long run either. 1GB x 2 in dual channel runs faster than one stick of 2GB. Anymore memory then 2 gigs however, is a waste of money. Don't be sold on the myth that +4 gigs makes your computer top sh!t, it doesn't. It makes you look like an idiot, spend that money on a better VGA card or something.
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#22 dixiee
Member since 2005 • 1060 Posts
It would make it the slower speed.
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ATLReppa770

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#23 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts
[QUOTE="ATLReppa770"]

[QUOTE="kbubba92"]ok i have 1gb and i can play all games just fine.george_hopkins

 

Yeah, well then why is G.R.A.W. and Vegas really slow for me? Is it because of my video card?


That video card is truly horrible. Instead of buying huge amounts of ram just get another 533mhz gig stick to take you to 2 gigs and buy a decent graphics card such as a 7900 series card or even a 8800gts if you can spend that much.

 

Yupp, just bought a brand new w/ 2 year warranty (separate from eVGA), a eVGA 8800GTS 640MB for $307.56. -- Did I get ripped off? How much is it normally for a 640MB? Also, isn't 800MHz a lot better than 533MHz stick, or is there really no difference?

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#24 dixiee
Member since 2005 • 1060 Posts
You didnt get ripped off and you would only notice a difference with some applications. Of course its better.
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#25 sykonfc
Member since 2004 • 607 Posts
Yes when dealing with memory a stick of DRR2 800 is always faster then a stick of 533 no matter timings of the 533 or overclock the 533 is substaining.
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#26 ATLReppa770
Member since 2005 • 4208 Posts
As of now, I don't have enough money to purchase any kind of RAM, unless I sell one of my cell phones. As soon as I get money though, I think I'm sticking to the 2GB of G. Skill RAM. (single channel), can't I downgrade this RAM and make it run in 533MHz RAM until I get my 2nd stick of RAM?