1 gig RAM - 2 Diff 512's

[Macko]

I recently discovered that I have been running 1 512MB Kingston PC2700 stick of RAM along with 1 512MB "Smart Modular" PC2100 stick of RAM. At times my CPU and PF Usage seem to jump from low to high when I am playing a video game. It's weird because I can be playing fine and the cpu usage will be at like 30%, then I hear my fan go wild and my fps drop and I see I am at 100% CPU Usage and up to 400 in PR Usage. Could this be a problem with the RAM or could it be the graphics card?
Specs:
P4 3.06 w/HT
1GIG Ram: 512MB Kingston PC2700, 512MB Smart Modular PC2100
GeForce4 ti4200
Soundblaster Audigy2 Zs
Antec 400watt psu

[carlmccut]

Being that you are using two different types of ram you are not getting the full use of the pc2700 ram. I have always heard it is best to use ram made by the same manufacturer and have the same ratings (speed,latency, etc) if you're using multiple sticks. I don't think it is your graphics card. Do you have any other memory available?

[kram 2.0]

Welcome to PC Mech forums

You are technically running a gig of RAM (two sticks), but you may be bottlenecking the performance of your Processor by quite a bit. The P4 3.06Ghz Processor runs at 533FSB quad pumped, which is 266 in DDR speed - 333Mhz needed when dual channeled. You may want to consider getting two idential or very similar sticks to run them dual - I believe that stability may be an issue when there are two different sorts of RAM running on the same array of DIMM slots. Replace the PC2100 with a PC2700 Kingston like the one you have on the other slot, insert it into your system into the same color slots, and try it then.

kram

[Macko]

Thank you for the replies. Do you think I would notice a difference in performance with a new stick?
Also, I have been noticing that my cpu temperature has been steadily inclining when I multitask. When I have a small load (1-10% cpu usage) it runs at a stable 40-45 degrees C. But when I start opening programs and running applications, it sometimes gets to 55-60 degrees C. Are those tempetatures extraordinary for a P4 3.06? I seem to think they are a bit high but I dont know the benchmark for temperatures at that speed.

[kram 2.0]

Those temperatures look fine for a Northwood Processor - mine, a Intel P4 2.8C, runs around 44C on load and 31C on idle. Now that I read further in your post, 55C to 60C is a bit on the high side - that's when you should probably start looking around. For the temperatures, be sure that you have good air circulation within the case. Then, I just did this the other day to see temps go down drastically, but clean out the inside of your comptuer if you haven't done so in the past - I just did it and I saw a whole layer of dust blocking air from going from my HSF to Heat Sink.

As for performance, I'd doubt the temperature would be a determiner - 60C is hot, but the processor should be able to handle that. Try running Prime95 for a few hours (optimally 24 hours) and see how high the temperatures get on a single task. If it passes, the temperature is not a cause of the FPS dropping. If so, then some major cleaning or reapplication of thermal paste may be needed. Tell us how it goes

kram

[Darth Revan]

Hey I've got a question also, could I use a 512mb PC2700 with 512mb PC3200 on the Asus P4P800 SE motherboard. Would that fry anything? (Vid card, Mobo, ect) Would the run at PC3200 or PC 2700. Would they average their speeds?
Thanx

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Macko Also, I have been noticing that my cpu temperature has been steadily inclining when I multitask. When I have a small load (1-10% cpu usage) it runs at a stable 40-45 degrees C. But when I start opening programs and running applications, it sometimes gets to 55-60 degrees C. Are those tempetatures extraordinary for a P4 3.06? I seem to think they are a bit high but I dont know the benchmark for temperatures at that speed.

Open up the case and see if the heatsink needs to be cleaned. If it's got a lot of dust in there, temps will go up...but yours aren't anything to get real worried about since it's a 3.06GHz. The faster P4s do tend to run hotter than the slower P4s. Where are you getting those temps from?

Originally Posted by Darth Revan Hey I've got a question also, could I use a 512mb PC2700 with 512mb PC3200 on the Asus P4P800 SE motherboard. Would that fry anything? (Vid card, Mobo, ect) Would the run at PC3200 or PC 2700. Would they average their speeds?

You really should start your own thread...but if you mix the RAM like that, they'll probably run at the slower PC2700 speed. They'll never "average their speeds".

Cricket

[Macko]

I will try the Prime95 thing and see how that goes.

Cricket - Those temperatures are from motherboard monitor

[Darth Revan]

Sorry about the Highjack, I won't do it again. Some times I don't think straight.

[pwm24]

i would not reccomend using 2 diff cards of ram