Older Mobo RAM Conundrum; need good advice on dual use

[ahhaa]

My video-editing computer has been struggling along on 512 Megs RAM, specifically a Kingston 333 DDR PC2700 CL2.5 184 pin DIMM. I've mentioned I'm in the boonies, when I noticed several sales on Kingston down in the $30 range I drove for two hours to find out all 3 spots were 'out' of DDR 333, and kept telling me the DDR400 would work fine.

Well, I'd checked Kingston's excellent memory search page, and for my mobo, A MSI KTV4-L, it said this: http://www.ec.kingston.com/shop/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=13178&mfr=MSI&model=KT4VL+%28MS&S...9&SUBMIT1=Find

Using 333MHz DDR modules:
Virtually any configuration up to 2GB can be reached using any combination of Kingston's 128, 256, 512MB, and 1GB modules.

Using 400MHz DDR modules:
Supports only 2 banks at 400MHz using two 256MB (single bank) modules or one 512MB (double bank) module.

This system only supports 4 banks of 333MHz DDR memory. If two double sided DIMMs are used, the 3rd socket is disabled.

So... I took a pass, not wanting to do the drive again to return an opened memory package.

The stick I got in the KTV4 says 333, 266 compatible; not dual channel.

One place had a Kbyte 512 (for $29 after rebate) that said it was 333/400, but...

The editing suite I'm using wants optimum 1.3 G of RAM in its specs, I have 3 slots for RAM, but don't want to pay a lot for such an old mobo upgrade, even tho I'm really pleased with it.

I think I might get conflicts going by not having the exact same RAM model, but don't have any real experience with the issues.

Looks like if I get the same Kingston stick, it'll be more like $40 - not on sale.

Just FYI-Also, I found the same RAM Circuit City was claiming had a list price of $89. on the Kingston site for $49, so the 'store rebate' seems kinda bogus...

Before I drive off another bunch of gas, thought I'd ask you guys opinions!

[kschang]

Get the DDR400. As with all SDRAM's, they run at the FSB the mainboard is set to.

[Skith]

Using 400MHz DDR modules:
Supports only 2 banks at 400MHz using two 256MB (single bank) modules or one 512MB (double bank) module.

That likely means that speeds of DDR400 will only be reached under those circumstances, if more banks are filled, the speed will be reduced to PC2700 (DDR333)


So DDR400 will work just fine, it will just automatically default to the slower DDR333 speed.