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Mixing 2GB ram with 4GB Ram

post #1 of 9
2/13/10 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
For my Dell Studio 1555, if I put in 4GB (replace one of the 2GB) and leave the other at 2GB (totaling 6GB), will this cause my system to be less efficient than if I kept in the 2GB+2GB.

Will this add a lot of speed or nothing at all, or less efficient.

I know it is best to match but I am getting one 4GB for free.

I have windows 7 64x.

Please help.
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post #2 of 9
2/13/10 at 5:32pm
I would do it

As far as I know, Dual Channel Mode will not be active in this case (if it is supported on your machine at all), but I aslo had 1,5 GB in mine (512 + 1024) and it was definitely better then 2 x 512 MB despite the Dual Channel Mode
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post #3 of 9
2/13/10 at 5:51pm
The upgrade for free is a big YES! 1x2GB+1x4GB is superior to 2x2GB in all ways. It will run in dual channel. Intel calls it flexmode and there are other names but who cares.

Here is what will happen the 2GB and 2GB (of the 4GB) will match up and run in "true"/"full"/"symeteric mode" dual channel. The remaining 2GB from the 4GB will run in single channel. But considering if not for that last 2GB would do a HDD hit which is exponentially slower than single channel RAM you even get a major boost there.

Point of note the OS migrates the likely hits to the front so if it went to the 5th or 6th GB it would be on your HDD so no loss in performance. It will not treat the last 2GB the same as the first 4GB so do not fret.

So you have the exact same performance as 2X2GB +2GB extra RAM, win/win. The Intel flexmode is I think 3 generations back not counting the current in mobile platforms. So I know it was on the Napa platform. Maybe even Sanoma, I would need to look that up. But if so and I think maybe 4 generations back from current?

Gone are the days of matching size and brand and lot number. It has been years with Intel.
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post #4 of 9
2/13/10 at 11:13pm
Thread Starter 

thanks

Thanks for all the valuable input. I can get another 4GB for $180 more, is that worth it or am I good with the one free 4GB and 2GB.

Is the additional 4GB going to add a ton. I'm not a big gamer either.
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post #5 of 9
2/13/10 at 11:27pm
It depends what you do. For most everyone more than 4GB will have little to no real world improvement. It is just more than is needed. I would stick with 6GB for free. And yes since I do not see an improvement above 4GB see even less above 6GB.

While I have not tested or read tests of this chipset the bandwidth improvement from dual channel on past mobile chipsets is about 10%. So no I would not pay $180 for another 4GB SO-DIMM.

Best of luck.
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post #6 of 9
2/14/10 at 4:55am
Is it DDR2800 or the DDR3 version...? DDR3 it should be OK, DDR2, still have found compatibility issues with 4Gbs sticks, you may need to update the lappies BIOS for this (but hopefully its the DDR3 version)...
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post #7 of 9
2/14/10 at 6:41pm
Thread Starter 
It's DDR2 800.
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post #8 of 9
2/15/10 at 2:27pm
Crucial guaranteed to work and is pricey... If you get the upgrade from DELL it should be fine...
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post #9 of 9
2/15/10 at 10:06pm
twoods you are getting free what do you have to lose? I say it will work. If I am wrong though what are you out? Nothing. Also Mr T's concern sounds like he is talking 4GB sticks period. So we are side pointing the real issue and your situation. Do the 2GB+4GB. Like I said what do you have to lose? And I already gave the answer.

I could be 100% wrong but I think MR T might be talking Santa Rosa and before. That is not the chipset you have. But I could be wrong?
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