RAM query

[arnab_das]

I have recently upgraded my pc and installed a 3gb (800) ram. however since i didnt want to throw away my previous 667 1gb ram, i'm still using it along with the 2gb. is this harmful? (using two RAMs of different speeds?)

[CharlesA]

It'll run, but it will run at 667 speeds.

[Gosport]

What offers the best general performance: speed of RAM or quantity of RAM? Should he remove the older RAM?

[Gosport]

Somebody must know?

[Dark_Stang]

Well, how much memory are you using? If you're only using a few hundred megs of memory than the faster speed is better, assuming your motherboard supports it. If you're using a lot of memory than the more the better. I'm running 4 gigs at 667 in my laptop because I multi task a lot and that's what it maxes out at. However at the moment I'm only using 350 mb of memory.

[az]

What offers the best general performance: speed of RAM or quantity of RAM? Should he remove the older RAM?

Here, the difference between 667 and 800 is not so great. How fast is the bus on your motherboard?

For most tasks, the amount of ram is more important than the speed. This is because the limiting factor is usually other things like drive access. For example, you won't notice your computer booting in less time if you switched from 667 to 800 Mhz ram (keeping the same amount of ram).