Matched Pair and Un-Matched ram, What's the Diff?
 

Ok, so one of my dealers has got this deal happening..

2 x 512mb Dual channel Geil 500 Ultra DDR with heat spreader for $395 AUD

That's roughly the same as the Corsair TwinX Matched pair 400 for $399

All I'm wondering is what is the diff between matched pair and non matched ram?

Is it really worth the extra dollars for it? or would I be better just goin for the Geil?

Thanks all

The matched RAM is made to be run in dual channel boards. Because the idea of the weakest-link applies, you want to make sure both sticks of RAM are of equal quality and ability.

So basically, if you are a hardcore enthusiast with a dual-channel board, its probably worth it. Otherwise, not really.

yeah... and a pair of RAM beats a pair of speakers any day of the week. :) gotta know when to hold them, know when to fold them... know when to walk away...

In theory, a matched pair is better for dual-channel mode (they're pretty much identical).

In practice, if you have roughly the same modules (2 x Corsair XMS3200 for example), you'll be able to run in dual-channel mode without any problems.

I've tried many different combos of Corsair valueselect memory at work, and it didn't matter one bit if the modules were from the same batch or not. Of course, Corsair is a good brand, as is Geil (that means "horny" in Dutch, by the way)...

Ok great guys thanks alot for the info :)

Just found out my motherboard will only support up to 3200

If I do get the faster ram, will this cause problems for my motherboard or the new memory? or will the motherboard only run it as if the chips were only 400?

Thanks again
:)

There's no reason to get better than PC3200 RAM unless you're gonna overclock. No processor on the market has a FSB higher than 200 MHz. :)

-Lasereth

Faster ram will probably run faster, if your motherboard supports some form of overclocking. The extra speed would come in when trying to overclock - it's designed to work at those speeds... The downside would usually be higher (=worse) memory timings.

And of course, although there's no processor with a FSB > 200, like Lasereth claims, that might change. :)

No mainstream consumer processor has FSB higher than 200Mhz.
SGI Tezro systems have much higher.

http://www.sgi.com/workstations/tezro/tech_specs.html

drool....

Don't buy faster ram unless you plan to overclock. PC3200 is made to run most efficiently at 200MHz FSB. If you upgrade to higher RAM, it won't work as efficiently until you reach it's magic number.