Mixing Memory Sizes?

[Robizzle01]

So currently I have 1gb of ram from two 512mb 3200 ddr chips. I'm thinking about upgrading but I'm not sure what the best option for me might be. I have an Asus A8v motherboard (manual: http://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket939/a8v/e1994_a8v.pdf) Page 34 of the pdf manual explains the combinations of memory populations but I don't understand from the text exactly what works and what doesn't.

I have two open slots in my motherboard so I could get two more 512 giving me a total of 2gb at the cost of about $100.

My other option would be to spend about $180 and get two 1gb chips. My question: would I be able to use two 1gb sticks and the two 512 sticks that I currently have? I have searched and read that it will work as long as each channel has the same amount of ram. If this is the case, I would put 1536mb in each channel for a total of 3gb. Would this work? Also, should I be concerned with getting memory of the same brand (Corsair ValueSelect) as my current or should any 3200 ddr ram work?

 

[Desdichado]

It's talking about ddr channels. For the sticks to function in at ddr, you have to pair two sticks of the same size. So yes, 2x512 + 2x1gb would work, except you would the 512 modules in slots A1 and B1 and the 1 gbs in A2 and B2. That way each channel has two sticks of the same size.

Any ddr400 should work. However if you get sets designed to run with different timings, or at different voltages it might cause a few issues. since you aren't going to be overclocking with that valueselect anyway, I would suggest buying more of the same. As long as you get some decent stuff, (crucial, corsair, kingston...) you should be fine.