[jab951]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...503500&lang=en

^That's my laptop's specs. It says max memory is 2gb yet I'm running with 1x2gb and 1x256mb totaling 2.25gb. Windows seems to recognize the extra memory plus my chipset (i915p) supports up to 4gb so is HP lying or is the extra memory recognizable but not usable?

One more question, I assumed that because the 2 dimms aren't identical that I'm running in single channel but everest says the memory controller's active mode is 128 bit dual channel, see below (each individual module still shows a width of 64 bits though).

[Triple6]

Dual channel on newer chipsets does not require identical size modules, preferred but not required.

Did you notice your Everest report is indicating 2048MB in Slot 1 and 2304MB in Slot 2?

Also the Intel 915P does support 4GB of RAM but does so by using 4 slots; officially at least if I'm not mistaken. Unofficially you may get it work with 2GB per slot.

[jab951]

Originally Posted by Triple6

Did you notice your Everest report is indicating 2048MB in Slot 1 and 2304MB in Slot 2?

Yeah I forgot to ask about that. What could be going on?

[jab951]

Ok I tried switching the 2 modules between the 2 slots (I only have 2 slots) and this happened:

[Triple6]

You're using an unsupported memory configuration so thats why you are seeing unusual results.

[jab951]

But the extra memory is still usable right?

[Triple6]

I guess so if its being detected by Windows in System Properties AND if the system is working correctly.

[crjdriver]

Why run an unsupported and most likely untested config just to get an extra 256meg of ram? It makes not sense at all. You are compromising the stability of the system for very little gain.

[jab951]

Originally Posted by crjdriver

Why run an unsupported and most likely untested config just to get an extra 256meg of ram? It makes not sense at all. You are compromising the stability of the system for very little gain.

I did it at first to see if hp's specs were correct, but then Tripple6 told me dual channel doesn't require identical modules. I heard dual channel helps a lot for cpu intensive apps (like hl2) so I think ill keep running like this. System stability seems to be fine. Thanks for the help guys.

[Triple6]

Dual Channel has the greatest impact on synthetic benchmarks, not that much on real performance. But running a single 2Gb stick is an unsupported configuration that you seem to be lucky to be getting around.