Computer memory question

[The AD]

My dad has an extra 512 MB memory DIMM he was going to give me if I can use it. I checked and I do have an available slot (actually I have two available slots). However, I noticed this on the support website for my computer:

"Motherboard accepts DDR400/PC3200, DDR333/PC2700, or DDR266/PC2100 DIMMS. Dual channel supported only when identical pairs are used."

So what exactly is dual channel? I assume this means I'd need to add two 512 MB sticks to support dual channel, but what does this really mean? I certainly don't want to add the memory only to downgrade the performance of my machine. Should I add the single 512 or not?

[P_McPoser]

TECH TALK JONG

[Pow4Brains]

(actually I have two available slots)

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[AudioSkier]

My dad has an extra 512 MB memory DIMM he was going to give me if I can use it. I checked and I do have an available slot (actually I have two available slots). However, I noticed this on the support website for my computer:

"Motherboard accepts DDR400/PC3200, DDR333/PC2700, or DDR266/PC2100 DIMMS. Dual channel supported only when identical pairs are used."

So what exactly is dual channel? I assume this means I'd need to add two 512 MB sticks to support dual channel, but what does this really mean? I certainly don't want to add the memory only to downgrade the performance of my machine. Should I add the single 512 or not?

There are many tech shops around seattle.
There's also a great thing called www.google.com.
It basically doubles the memory that goes through your RAM, so even though you have onlu 512 MB, (just using this figure as an example) the memory is sped up, effectively boosting the ability of your RAM.

Get the 512 MB DIMM. It'll make your computer go faster.
And faster = better for computers in case you didn't know.

[The AD]

There's also a great thing called www.google.com.

Jesus, this place is predictable sometimes...

Thanks for your response, though.

[Schmear]

Dang, your post got me all nostalgic for DINMS.

[eCr412]

My dad has an extra 512 MB memory DIMM he was going to give me if I can use it. I checked and I do have an available slot (actually I have two available slots). However, I noticed this on the support website for my computer:

"Motherboard accepts DDR400/PC3200, DDR333/PC2700, or DDR266/PC2100 DIMMS. Dual channel supported only when identical pairs are used."

So what exactly is dual channel? I assume this means I'd need to add two 512 MB sticks to support dual channel, but what does this really mean? I certainly don't want to add the memory only to downgrade the performance of my machine. Should I add the single 512 or not?

You should be fine. Duel channel just means, if both memory sticks are the same speed, they are able to run off one another and run alot faster, then say if you had 1 ddr400 Pc3200, and one ddr400 Pc2700. Just add the extra RAM it will only make your machine run faster. Unless thats a bad thing.

[iceman]

Check out AudioSkier going all bigtime on the AD.

[RootSkier]

serious smackdown action