Combining RAM -- help or hurt performance

nakago

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Jul 8, 2009
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got 2 sticks of OCZ pc8500 2x1GB ram (ocz platinum) 5-5-5-18. (dual channel)

now i just bought 2 sticks of Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) which can run at 5-5-5-12.

i don't do HARD Core gaming, just a moderate level,

question is

should i leave my old 2x1 in there with my new 2x2 GB? does it HELP or HURT?????

(got E8400, with GA-EP35-DS3L, (can take up to 8GB or RAM), Asus HD 4870 1 GB vid card)
relative noob, please help!
 
KK - the reason I asked that question is that with XP (or any 32 bit version of Windows), you need to be aware of the address space limit: You have 4GB worth of addresses that need to be used to handle everything you put in the case. This includes Bios, communications, PCi devices, and anythign that maps I/O into memory [/i](read: a portion of your video card's memory counts, too)[/i].

So: (1) If you install 4GB of RAM, then the OS will "see" less than 4GB (a little over or under 3GB) depending on your configuration. The reason for this is there is more than just RAM that needs addresses, and anything that doesn't get assigned an address with the OS is rendered non-functional because it can't be communicated to/from. So RAM gets assigned last because that way everything else in your computer works. If RAM was first, then nothing else would, yah?

As a practical matter, roughly 3 out of 4 isn't GB bad, since it's still a 50% increase and it's still best to run a matched set.... But understand that if you wanted to use all 6GB of RAM, then you will need to change your operating system to one that has enough address space to cover it all. (Read: 64 bit)
 

nakago

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THANKS for the DETAILED answer!

okay, let say that I do get vista. should i keep 6 GB (limited by my slower OCZ set) or use just the 4 GB of the fast Patriot Viper ram?
 

nakago

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tried it with XP good poerformance boost, ! now my 3d mark ist at 12000-13000, not the 14000 i want yet.
i got vista ultimate now,
so ki guess i will try runing 3D mark with 4 GB fast or 6 GB mixed and see.....
 

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