Need More Memory

[anacrime]

I need to add another 512 stick into my computer. Should I buy the exact same as I have now? Also, my current one runs at 266mhz, if I buy one that runs at like 400mhz, what will happen (or will that even work?)?

[LuckyTxGuy]

Do you have DDR2 RAM? I assume you do because DDR RAM doesn't run faster than 200mhz I believe.

To answer your question, you do not have to put the exact same RAM in there, unless you have one of the few quirky motherboards out there. The days of having to run identical pairs of RAM are mostly over. However, to answer your question about buyhing a faster stick of RAM.....the computer will only run the RAM as fast as the slowest stick. So if you bought a stick of 512 MB 400mhz and left the 512 266mhz in there, all the RAM would operate at 266mhz.

I hope this helps more than it confuses.

-Jason

[anacrime]

I currently have a Kingston ValueRam KVR266X54C25 2.5v 512mb stick in there: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16820144001.

[kvp]

Does your mother board support dual channel? If so then get the EXACT same stick and install them in the same color coded slots.

[anacrime]

What is dual channel and why is that advantageous? And there is an empty slot of the same color.

[LuckyTxGuy]

Look, your easiest and best bet is too get the exact same kind of RAM (brand doesn't have to be the same) that is in your pc right now. You seem to know what it is, so I'd check Newegg.com for the best price on another 512 MB stick like you already have.

I think sometimes the advice you can get makes a simple task, like installing RAM, much harder than it really is.

[Gugel]

yes, you definetly need to try to come as close to getting the exact same memory stick you have in your computer now as possible. not doing so can lead to crashes/system instability.