Need help buying more ram

[Liquidus]

Hi, currently i'm using an ASUS k8v se deluxe motherboard. It uses the VIA K8t800 chipset and has 3 slots for DDR memory. Right now, I have 2 256mb sticks of memory and I'm to buying a 512 stick for a total of 1gb. The memory I am using is Corsair Valueram with 3 Cas Latency. I looked on newegg, and they have my model of ram in both 2.5 and 3 Cas latency.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145026

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145479

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think memory only works as the slowest one, so normally buying memory with 2.5 wouldn't be faster than 3. In this case however, the 2.5 memory is cheaper by about 3 bucks. So does it matter which one I get? I know that I should always use same brand and model of memory, but do the timings matter?

Also, when all 3 memory slots on my mobo are filled, it can only use the memory at DDR 333. That's slower than DDR 400, but the extra ram is worth it right? I mostly use this computer for playing the latest games. Thanks for the help.

 

[MadModMike]

Don't worry about the latencies, your mobo will check the SPD and than set all the timings together. I would get the former since it's cheaper, and yes, you may have to run DDR333 w/ all 3 sticks but I have seen a few people claim to get DDR400 w/ 3 or 4 sticks. You'll also be running 2T, but that won't matter for you.

If you really want to "play the latest games", I recommend a barebones Socket 939 system, it can be had for USD$500 easily, and you could reuse the RAM and HDD's you have now. But of course, if budget is an issue, grab the 512 stick that is cheaper and enjoy.

~~Mad Mod Mike, pimpin' the world 1 rig at a time

 

[Tblythe]

If I were you, I would buy 2 new sticks of 512mb ram and run DDR400
That would give you a real boost...