Computer Memory Question
 

So, I bought this for my 2 year old computer because it matches the two 1 GB sticks I have in it already.

Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/2G - Retail





Anyway...potentially dumb question - it's my understanding that dual channel memory is required to be installed in pairs, correct? I'm running an XP system, so it's only going to recognize 1 of the 2 new GB sticks I put in. Could I take out the 4th stick and put it in another PC?

What are the repercussions of doing so? Will that 3rd Gig actually slow the PC down because it doesn't have its matched pair? Or, since the 4th gig isn't seen anyway, is the dual channel thing moot? Is it actually stupid to install a 3rd Gig in an XP PC?

Thanks for the help!

XP will see about 3.25 gigs of that 4 gigs of ram. It won't slow down your system if you leave it in there, but if your going to pull a stick out, pull 2 out so you'll still have the other 2 in dual channel. With 3 sticks, dual channel is disabled.

I believe ozias is right, but if you go to crucial.com and plug in your system, it will tell you everything you need to know.