dimm memory question

If i have a 512 mb stick of ram in 1 must I only upgrade with 512 mb sticks or can I got 512 then 1 gb stick in another slot? thanks

Yes, you can run 1x512MB + 1GB, you only need matching pairs if you want to run dual channel mode.

is there an advantage of running dual channel? and is that only supported thru certain mobo?

Operating dual channel can give upto 15% bandwith increase as you have two(dual)pipelines from the ram to the processor instead of one(single). Most modern(and many old)motherboards support dual channel, however SKT 754 Athlon 64's have on-die single channel memory controllers, hence its impossible to run dc on a 754 platform.
GL.

as of now i have 1 stick512 mb of pc 4200 533 mhz ddr2 . I have 3 empty slots left so to get better performance i should just fill them up with the same 512 4200 to have them in dual mode?

:thumbup: Yes, thats exactly right!

Originally posted by snapshooter@Mar 7 2006, 08:30 AM
as of now i have 1 stick512 mb of pc 4200 533 mhz ddr2 . I have 3 empty slots left so to get better performance i should just fill them up with the same 512 4200 to have them in dual mode?

depends if ur motherboard can support dual channel

im assuming your mother board does not suport dual channel. The ram slots are color coded according to your motherboard supporting it, and you seem to not know much about your computer. I highly doubt it has dual channel enabled unless you pieced it together yourself. just buy a 1gb stick and call it a day, itll make your comp run much better.

i have the btx motherboards that come stock in the dell 5150's altho the slots arent color differentiated the clips that hold them down are white black white black.

nvm i visited the website and it does support dual channel