[drnkn_stylz]

Okay so lemme see if I get this right...

Any type of RAM can be used, and as long as they are both the same size (ex: 2 x 1GB. PC2-5300), when installed, then Intel chipset will run it in Dual Channel mode?

Is this what is meant by saying when you used unmatched pairs (ex: 512MB., 1GB.) you lose ~10% in performance?

[mduell]

Originally Posted by drnkn_stylz 

Any type of RAM can be used, and as long as they are both the same size (ex: 2 x 1GB. PC2-5300), when installed, then Intel chipset will run it in Dual Channel mode?

Yes.

Originally Posted by drnkn_stylz 

Is this what is meant by saying when you used unmatched pairs (ex: 512MB., 1GB.) you lose ~10% in performance?

You lose some performance (10% is a good order-of-magnitude estimate) for tasks/apps that are sensitive to memory bandwidth. Gaming with integrated graphics will lose more (perhaps 20% or even 30%), but encoding video may lose nothing. But your workflow may end up faster if going unmatched gives you more memory (like 2x1GB->2+1GB).

[drnkn_stylz]

Thanks mduell, you have helped me out yet again.