Can you Mix RAM Types? (PC2700 and PC3200)

[cam9786]

Hey guys. I need to know if you can mix ram types. I have 1 stick of PC2700 Crucial 512 RAM. Can I buy a stick of PC2700 512?

[einstein_314]

Hey guys. I need to know if you can mix ram types. I have 1 stick of PC2700 Crucial 512 RAM. Can I buy a stick of PC2700 512?

ummm, please clarify. The title says can you mix ram types (pc3200 and pc2700). But you want to add pc2700 to your pc2700. I think you meant to say you have pc2700 and want to add pc3200. the answer is yes. But the pc3200 will only run at pc2700 speed.

[cam9786]

^ hehehe yeah that was it, I'm such an idiot. Ok, thanks for the reply.

[CaptNKILL]

ummm, please clarify. The title says can you mix ram types (pc3200 and pc2700). But you want to add pc2700 to your pc2700. I think you meant to say you have pc2700 and want to add pc3200. the answer is yes. But the pc3200 will only run at pc2700 speed.
What? Thats not true at all. It will run at whatever you set it to in your BIOS. I havent used a motherboard in 5 years or more than didnt allow the user to set the RAM speed manually. That was how it worked when users couldnt change the settings, but any system that supports 2700 and 3200 DDR almost deffinitely give the option to the user.

I have Corsair XMS PC-2700 which is more than capable of running at 3200, so I have it paired with a stick of Corsair Value PC-3200. Both are running at 400Mhz.

I hope cam sees this, he most certainly does not have to run his ram at PC-2700 speed. Obviously running it at 3200 isnt guaranteed, but what you said is not true.

[einstein_314]

What? Thats not true at all. It will run at whatever you set it to in your BIOS. I havent used a motherboard in 5 years or more than didnt allow the user to set the RAM speed manually. That was how it worked when users couldnt change the settings, but any system that supports 2700 and 3200 DDR almost deffinitely give the option to the user.

I have Corsair XMS PC-2700 which is more than capable of running at 3200, so I have it paired with a stick of Corsair Value PC-3200. Both are running at 400Mhz.

I hope cam sees this, he most certainly does not have to run his ram at PC-2700 speed. Obviously running it at 3200 isnt guaranteed, but what you said is not true.

Yes, but if he were to just plop the 3200 in there, it would run at 2700 speeds. He didn't say anything about overclocking it or anything. Of course you can bump up the speed on it but his 2700 may not be capable of running at 3200.

[john19055]

Yes you can run two different types of ram but in most cases you need to set the timmings and speed up manually with the one that is the slowest and then add the other ram stick in after you have set it up manually.

[samh1]

hello,i was wondering if someone can tell how to check what speed my ram is running at. ?
i.e 200mhz or 400mhz
also how can i change this ?
thanks for you time,sam






msi 651m-l mobo
2.4ghz celeron
2x512mb pc3200 ddr ram
maxator 80 gb hd

[Sovereignxp]

Well you have a celeron, 400Mhz FSB I guess? I know on genuine Intel Mobo's even if you have PC3200 Ram, the motherboard willl underclock it to 266MHz AkA PC2100. Since you dont have a genuine board its hard to say. Your mobo may allow to force speed and timing reguardless of the FSB.

Take a look at your system's Post boot screen.. It should list the true speed there... or look into the bios for the actual speed setting.

I suppose you can mix ram types.. HOWEVER.. if you are trying to run in a dual channel configuration you better have two matching modules of the same speed and type or you will have issues.

[saturnotaku]

Depending on the CPU, it's going to run at either 400 MHz or 533, which is the actual front side bus multiplied by 4 (100 and 133 respectively).