Memory - answer please
 

I bought a pc from Aldi.
It did'nt have a floppy drive, when I installed one I noticed than there was 2 memory sticks - Samsung 256mb DDR PC3200 - on the Aldi leaflet it said the pc had 512mb DDR 400mhz, which I assume would be only 1 stick.
On the motherboard there are 4 slots, 2 of which are now occupied, I emailed Medion voicing my concerns about future upgrading and this is their responce...

Quote:

2) RAM PC3200 is DDR400, its just another way of saying the same thing. The new generation of Intel motherboards with an 800mhz Front Side BUS (FSB) require double the bandwidth of older systems and therefore 400 mhz RAM has to be split across the BUS. If odd nembers of RAM modules are installed then the FSB slows down to 400mhz. If you really want us to slow your machine down for you we may be able replace your RAM. Let me know and I will put your unusual request to my supervisor.

The question is should I ask for the 1 stick of 512mb instead of 2 sticks of 256mb. Also is it true about pc3200 being the same as ddr400?

Hey,

Yes DDR400 is the same as PC3200. Also DDR333 is the same as PC2700. Here is the full run down. ;)

PC1600 = DDR 200MHz Data-rate (100 Clk x 2) 1.6Gb/Sec
PC2100 = DDR 266MHz Data-rate (133 Clk x 2) 2.1Gb/Sec
PC2400 = DDR 300MHz Date-rate (150 Clk x 2) 2.4Gb/Sec
PC2700 = DDR 333MHz Data-rate (166 Clk x 2) 2.7Gb/Sec
PC3000 = DDR 366MHz Data-rate (183 Clk x 2) 3.0Gb/Sec
PC3200 = DDR 400MHz Data-rate (200 Clk x 2) 3.2Gb/Sec

And it sounds like your mother board does support dual channel.

That's what he ment when he said it would only be 400mhz with just one module.

Meaning to use the full 800mhz which your mother board supports must use dual channel ovious since that means 400mhz Times 2 which is of course 800mhz.

So yes, you need two sticks/modules of DDR400. Size is up to you. I personally would go with two sticks of 512mb. Meaning a total of 1gb. But 256mb is just fine for most. Mean total of 512mb.

Of course your system wont be any faster overall excpect when you need the extra 512mb of course like when running photoshop or playing doom 3 in ultra mode. ;)

Take Care,
Will

Thanks for the reply Will:D

So, would I notice a big decrease in performance if I used 1 stick of 512mb instead of 2 x 256mb?
I will get another stick of 512mb after Christmas, so it would be better for future upgrading to have just the 1 stick for now, instead of the pc having 1 x 512mb and 2 x 256mb after Christmas?

Hey,

Well if you just go with one stick no matter the size it will be half the speed then if you had two sticks. Well since you said you plain on getting another stick anyways then yeah I would just go with the 1 stick of 512mb and get the second after Christmas. So half the speed, so half the performance, if you stay with only one stick. Again, 200mhz vs 400mhz.

BTW when you do get two stick make sure mother board is in dual channel mode. Most do it automatticly these days when it sees there are two sticks in the correct slots and of the same speed and size.

When you boot the computer, know as post, you will see a message saying its in dual channel mode. So if you dont see the message and do see the correct ammount of ram then you simply need to enable dual channel mode either in the bios or on the motherboard itself.

Take Care,
Will

Also, I would buy the same brand as the other stick. This should ensure compatibility and lessen the chance of problems.

Yes same barnd would be good too but not requried. ;)

Athlete...sag mal gibts in USA auch Aldi- (PC`s) ?Gruss fritz122