is it better to mix a 2gb 1333 with a 4gb 1600 or just use the 4gb alone?

[JoshM11]

i have two 2gb ddr3 ram @ 1333 & i also have one 4gb ram stick at 1600, is it worth it to do 6gb and mix or just 4, (i only have two ram slots)

 

[photonboy]

It depends what you are doing and what CPU you have.

Two sticks should run in Dual Channel mode thus giving you higher bandwidth (2x higher with 2x2GB) but you may need more memory rather than higher bandwidth.

So... hard to say.

Without knowing more I'd go with running two sticks (2+4) to have more memory though as they are different you may or may not have issues.

Run Memtest86 www.memtest86.com to check for issues

 

[Astralv]

I would mix them and have 6 Gb of memory. It will run at 1333 as it runs at lowest installed speed.

 

[fussygoat]

I would mix them and have 6 Gb of memory. It will run at 1333 as it runs at lowest installed speed.

Sorry to jump in. Would like to ask for guidance on which combinations below are possible to get a total of 8 GB ram and use dual channel. I'd greatly appreciate if you would also be kind enough to explain why a combination would or would not work. Current hardware: Core i3 2100 (supports 1066/1333); Mobo: Biostar TZ68A+ (4 dimm slots supports 1333,1600,2000,2133,2200); 4GB ram ( 2GB Kingston KVR1333D3N9/2G + 2GB Kingston KVR1333D3S8N9/2G)

1. (KVR1333D3N9/2G + KVR1333D3S8N9/2G) + (KVR13N9S6/2G + KVR13N9S6/2G)
2. (KVR1333D3N9/2G + KVR1333D3S8N9/2G) + 2*2GB DD3 1600
3. (KVR1333D3N9/2G + KVR1333D3S8N9/2G) + 4 GB DDR3 1333
4. (KVR1333D3N9/2G + KVR1333D3S8N9/2G) + 4 GB DDR3 1600

Thanks in advance.