More or Faster?

[omjeremy]

Here's my n00b question. It's probably been asked before but I couldn't find it.

I have slow 2x512MB PC2-5300 in a computer I'm building. I just ordered some OCZ 2x1GB PC2-6400 RAM 4-4-4-15. The computer in question has XP.

Would it be better to have 3GB running at the PC2-5300 speed or 2GB running at the low latency PC2-6400 speed?

 

[enyceexdanny]

Depends on what you're going to be using your pc for the most.
If you're doing anything that will utilize more than 2gb of ram, such as image editing, video encoding and etc. Sure additional 1gig of ram might justify the decrease in speed.

But for general usage, you will barely max out your 2gigs - so you should just stick with the 2gigs running at the rated (or higher) speed.

Also, keep in mind that mixing ram may cause instability.

 

[omjeremy]

Thanks for the reply!