Difference in RAM frequencies

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booya30

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A couple of months ago I got an additional 2GB of RAM added to my motherboard. Now I was under the impression that the 512MB I had in my Computer was 667MHz (Which is what my motherboard supports). Before they installed the 2GB I asked if the RAM was 667MHz and I was told that it was.... until I stumbled across this on CPU-Z a few days ago.

Slot 1:
512MB
333MHz

Slot 2:
2048MB
400MHz

Now I know my motherboard can support UP TO 667MHz, but the computer shop lied to me didn't they? I did buy the 2GB for R300 (which seemed very cheap to me) but maybe they could tell me it's only 400MHz :rolleyes:
Or i am just being a noob? :erm:

Would the difference in the frequencies make a noticeable difference in performance? (e.g: Between 400 and 667)
 
If that is DDR2 memory, which I think it is, it has an effective data rate of 667Mhz and 800Mhz.
So in fact that cheap RAM is infact faster than what your motherboard supports.
 
The ram that you have is DDR2 (double data rate) so 400mhz x2 = DDR2 800mhz (Maximum speed of your ram in slot 2), it will run at DDR 667 (~333 x2) as that is the speed of your ram in slot one. Ram will drop its speed to the slowest type of ram that is in your machine.
 
Best is to check the speed on the RAM before purchasing. The marking trend has moved form the easily identifiable DDR333, DDR400, etc to PC3200, PC6400, etc. You simply divide eg. 6400 by 8 and get the speed, something that 99% of the sales personnel in PC shops don't even know.
Mixing RAM on a PC does lead to adverse performance issues. Best practice is always to use matching pairs. :cool:
 
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