533/667 = Dual Channel at 1GB each

I've got a question:

I have a Dell with 1GB 533Mhz and 256GB 533Mhz. I would like to take advantage of a sale and upgrade to 2GB but they're only selling 1GB 667 for $39.99 at Best Buy. My question is this: will the 667Mhz clock down to 533 and restore the dual channel or do I need to buy 2 667Mhz sticks?

Don't want to waste money if at all possible or buy to few

Thanks

 

It will downclock to 533. However, there is no guarantee it will run in dual channel. If both are the same brand, then you have a better chance but still no guarantee.

 

What kind of computer do you have, could you list its specifications. As long as you have two sticks of RAM you'll have dual-channel if you are running on a laptop that has a Core Duo/Core 2 Duo processor. Even if the sticks are not matching it will be dual-channel because the chipset supports asynchronous dual-channel (like I said though, we need the specifications of your system so we can confirm this). It is not quite as fast as synchronous dual-channel with matching sticks but the difference isn't going to be noticeable.

1GB for $39.99 isn't a bad price, especially considering it is at Best Buy, but don't forget about tax. Check the RAM DEALS thread before you buy.

 

I have a Dell Inspiron 1300
Specs:
Celeron M360 1.6Mhz
Intel 950
Max RAM 2GB (right now 1.2GB)
80gb harddrive (soon to be 120gb)

Dell says that it runs dual channel with matching RAM. Current RAM brand is Kingston as is the anticipated RAM purchase at Best Buy

Did I include everything?

 

According to crucial memory scanner tool your notebook doesn't support dual channel.

 

sorry if it looks like i am hijacking this thread but i have near identical question...have have 4gb 667 cl5 in my laptop and aint upgrading just yet to v64 until sp1 is out so could i use one of my original memory sticks samsung 1gb 553 cl4 and replace one of the 2gb modules so giving me 3gb and shown as 3gb rather than having 4gb and shown as 3gb.

would it work and show 1gb+2gb at 533 cl4 ..or would there be incompatability problems.

cheers

 

I don't think your computer supports dual-channel memory either. Download CPU-Z:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
...And see what it says under the memory tab.

That would be fine.

 

CPU-Z is proud to announce that I am the proud owner of a dual channel laptop.

Better news: I have a higher ranked Celeron than previously listed an M380

So back to the matter at hand with one stick of Kingston RAM 1GB @ 533Mhz and one stick of Kingston RAM 1GB@667 restore the natural state of dual channel memory?

 

I guess that settles it then.

You shouldn't put in 667MHz memory - not that it won't work, but just that it is going to run at 400MHz no matter what because that is what your front side bus speed is.
http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number/chart/celeron_m.htm
Also I am not sure if 667MHz RAM will downclock properly to 400MHz.

 

I also had crucial memory scanner tool miss report dual channel support. Conflicted with MFG's specs, CPU-Z agreed with MFG, I talked told crucial person what up no answer. Crucial seems to have a problem, but notice how it could help them?

 

I think most of the time the crucial memory scanner tool errors come about when a manufacturer updates a notebook and uses back the same series/model number. This then leads to confusion as crucial only has the information about a certain generation of that notebook. Even people who know the notebook series will then have to ask does your notebook come with "X" chipset, processor etc to figure out what generation it is from.

 

Sounds plausible but how does CPU-Z (for free) stay on top of it. Crucial is going to make money, does it not do a proper scan? I don't get totally bent but it took me a while to figure out the correct. I just think if they say they are doing something and it is for profit it should work and their's seems not to in cases where others (free) do.

Oh and mine is a new model # so?

Oh and EVO I am SRT-4 on a roll watch out!

 

just my opinion but crucial scanner does suck (maybe not updated enough).

it says my laptop doesnt support 2gb modules and max supported is 2x1gb

manual says different and funny enough it has 4gb running just fine

so i think crucial should update more regular.