Heya kids, i've got 512mb pc3200 memory running on my mobo. I'm noticing when i get a decent load on the system i'll be down to like 10% free physical memory, thus i'm thinkin of upgrading.

Am i correct to say that whatever go's in the third bank has to be equal in speed of the first two banks, as well as equal to the sum of the first two banks. So in my case, i'd need a single 512mb stick? Now does this stick have to be identical...brand and everything?

More details on what you have for a system would help (AMD or Intel), what type of mobo. What type of RAM (size, speed, type) are in the mobo right now.

All the banks have to be the same but they have to be in pairs or you will loose your Dual Channel I believe this goes for the same wether it be Intel, AMD doesn't really matter on Mobo or ram size. Just make sure all the banks have 512.. your better off trading in your 256s chips in and get 2 512 pc3200 the less chips running the more advantage you get as well.... 2*256 and 1*512 won't work the greatest you may notice decrease then anything.

The reason I asked is because the gains will vary depending on your system. Dual channel is arguably very little improvement in performance, depending on your system.

^^^no no I wasn't meaning directly at you sorry. I was just telling him in general didn't mean to make ya look bad.. Yeah Dual channel is just like everything else does it really work? Intel new chip with the 1 meg cash is actually slower then the P4 with 512 cache..but same may say it's faster depends on what ya use it for I guses.

it's a soltek 75frnl2 mobo i believe
amd 2500
ocz 256x2 w/heat er currenlty.

there's only 3 banks in the motherboard, so there's no coupling this time around.

3 only hmmm I could be wrong it may work bt ur better off with 2 512 anyway..

lol do i look like i'm made of money here?

I don't think AMD benefits from the dual channel like P4 does. Just put another 256 in and don't worry about dual channel. You can always use SiSoftware Sandra to do memory performance test and compare. Perhaps you could take it back if you weren't happy, although not sure what the return policy is on RAM.

^Yes, they do.

Yes, you would be better off speed spec wise keeping all memories paired.

SiSoft Sandra rules!! [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]