mixing ram doesnt work

[vipergtsr1736]

I has only one stick of 256mb PC-2100 Kingston ram. I wanted to upgrade to 512, so I bought a Patriot 512mb PC-2100 stick. I took out the 256mb stick and put the new 512 stick in and it works. I havent tried overclocking with it yet. I then tried adding the 256 back in for a total of 768mb. Windows said that I only had 256mb total. I tried putting the ram sticks in different slots and orders, still says 256 even though I have a total of 758. Why is it doing this? Also, has anyone had luck with Patriot RAM for overclocking?

[p!ktu]2e_1]

It probably is only reconizing the better ram or the ram that is slightly faster(Kingston). Be happy w/512;)





btw I beleive you should change your avatar:mad: :p

[vipergtsr1736]

:confused: anyone know anything else that will actually help me?:rolleyes:

[Smartweb]

Read your motherboard manual. Your motherboard might not accept two different chips at different speeds.

[vipergtsr1736]

well, it turns out that the patriot ram I got is useless for overclocking because I incorrectly recieved their valueram instead of the performance ram that is supposed to be great for overclocking. Im getting a refund and I am going to buy a better company ram. I really really want Corsair XMS, but it would need to be 512mb PC-2100 which I dont know if they make. If not XMS, then Mushkin black level II. Anyone have reccommendations? No more than 100 bucks hopefully.

[itizme]

this is normal, and especially common when using single sided and double sided ram. Essentially you just confuse your pc to the point where it has not a clue what to do
I would however memtest86 each stick on its own to verify that all are good

[repo man11]

I have a stick of Kingston HyperX PC2700 512. It has been able to run at 215 MHz FSB with tight timings (can't really go higher with my KT333 motherboard). I can only imagine their HyperX PC3500 can do, and it is on special at Newegg for $112.00.

[vipergtsr1736]

it appears that the hyper-x only goes down to 2700....I need 2100 ram...Id like to avoid value ram. Any other suggestions?

[repo man11]

Sorry, I didn't read your post carefully enough.

Why are you restricted to PC2100?

[vipergtsr1736]

Umm..Im restricted because of my age....LOL of course its because my motherboard only supports 2100 ram. Im getting a new comp within 6 months so I just wanted to upgrade the ram until then. I see mushkin blue level, any good for overclocking? How about standard corsair ram? I saw crucial ram, but I couldnt find ram specifically for overclocking. I would like either corsair, crucial, mushkin, PNY, or samsung. thanks

[repo man11]

Before you settle for PC2100, I'd make very sure that your board can't run PC2700 or faster.

Usually (but not always) RAM that is faster than what the board is rated for runs fine. I have a friend who is running PC2100 and PC2700 in his MSI KT3. The PC2700 is restricted to the speed of the 2100, but he doesn't mind.

If possible, then you should buy the fastest RAM possible, with future upgrades in mind.

Otherwise, I think Kingston Value RAM may be your best bet. Their Value RAM overclocks better than some of their competitors performance RAM.

Why not ask in the Intel motherboards forum, and see if anyone with that board runs PC2700 or faster in it?