Quick dual-channel memory question

[ryandinan]

Hey guys -

I currently have an Asus P4P800 with a single stick of Corsair XMS3200 DDR (512MB). I was wanting to run dual-channel - so I was thinking about just purchasing another stick. My question is, do I have to use the exact same stick, or can it just be fairly close, as long as both modules are capable of the same timings?
Corsair still sells XMS3200, but the model number differs slightly from the stick I currently have - I think the newer sticks are just capable of a bit higher timings. So I guess I just want to know if I can match these two together in dual-channel..?

Thanks!

-Ryan

[russ_watters]

Theoretically it should work but realistically its a crapshoot. I'd go to a computer show or memory dealer, trade your individual stick in and get two identical ones.

[Racer^]

If you can, make it easy on yourself by getting the same make/model of RAM. However, as long as the two RAM sticks have the same specs, it should usually work. This should mean that at least the following is the same (listed by importance):

- size (such as 512MB)
- speed (such as PC3200)
- buffered (buffered vs unbuffered)
- ECC (ECC vs non-ECC)
- sides (single vs double sided)
- density (high vs low density; this is usually the same if it is both the same size and has the same number of sides)
- parity (parity vs non-parity; not really an issue anymore)

There are other things like latency that could be different between the sticks. However, as long as you are running in spec (non-overclocked), this shouldn't be much of an issue.

[ryandinan]

Cool, thanks guys.

Basically, it's the same memory, just newer. So I think it should work. I just wanted to know the requirements for dual channel.

-Ryan