Computers & Electronics

Mixing DDR2 ram - will it downclock?

  • Last Updated:
  • Oct 12th, 2010 9:25 pm
Tags:
None
Deal Addict
Oct 1, 2003
2235 posts
71 upvotes

Mixing DDR2 ram - will it downclock?

So I have a question about some outdated tech. I have an old PC with an Asus NCT-D mobo in it with 2gb of ram, of what I believe is DDR2 PC2-3200 (400mhz) ram. I have an additional 2x 1gb of PC2-5300 ram but I don't know if this will downclock or just not register. What's the rule with this kind of stuff? If it won't work I'll just toss in 2x 512mb of PC2-3200 ram I had from an old P4 system in my closet.

Sorry for the history lesson. Thanks.
3 replies
Deal Guru
Sep 13, 2007
11103 posts
6746 upvotes
Toronto
Usually its never a good idea to mix RAM, it can cause BSOD's and instability.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jul 9, 2006
1519 posts
58 upvotes
GTA
It sound just downclock to the lowest (i.e. 400 MHz). Worst case it doesn't boot.

If you use all 3, try to use the 2x 1gb in the same colour slots and the 1x 2gb in the remaining slot.
Deal Addict
Oct 1, 2003
2235 posts
71 upvotes
The additional ram I have won't fit in the mobo, which I don't understand. The old OCZ ram is actually PC-3200 and not PC2-3200 so that makes sense. But both Kingston types are PC2 but not the same slot type.

The memory in the PC now is Kingston kvr400d2s4r3/1g - www.xpcgear.com/ks400d2s4r31g.html

The additional ram I have is Kingston kvr667d2d8f5/1g - http://www.memoryupgrade.pro/1gb-kvr667 ... -dimm.html

So I'm stuck with just 2gb in that old PC. Oh well.

Thanks for the feedback though.

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)