Desktop Memory:2x512 or 1 gig stick?

Pesticle · Nov 17, 2006, 05:46 AM

I just have a quick question.

I'm deciding on getting a 2x512 dualchannel kit, or a 1 gig stick. I'm wondering if there is a performance advantage in getting the dual channel kit, rather than just getting a 1 gig stick.

If there is NO performance advantage, I'll just get a 1 gig stick and save a slot.

Any performance advantage means I'll grab the dual channel kit, it is the same price anyway.

Thanks in advance.

Grace · Nov 17, 2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pesticle

I just have a quick question.

I'm deciding on getting a 2x512 dualchannel kit, or a 1 gig stick. I'm wondering if there is a performance advantage in getting the dual channel kit, rather than just getting a 1 gig stick.

If there is NO performance advantage, I'll just get a 1 gig stick and save a slot.

Any performance advantage means I'll grab the dual channel kit, it is the same price anyway.

Thanks in advance.

That depends on the system you are using. For example, nForce 2 based systems had almost no performance advantage at all, but a socket AM2/C2D system will have a tremendous advantage with 2 identical RAM modules installed.

Which means...more info please?

Matth · Nov 17, 2006, 04:11 PM

If there is existing memory, that also complicates things.

It is usually better to make use of dual memory channels if available, only the old Nforce 2 (dual channel RAM to single channel CPU) showed little advantage.

So:

Case 1: Existing memory (single), aiming to double the RAM -> Add a similar module in the second channel and hope they match closely enough.

Case 2: Existing memory (double). On some platforms, two pairs work well, on others (such as older revision S939 AMD64 CPUs), it can comprimse timings or even memory speed.

To put 1GB of RAM on a sytem that does make use of dual channels, I would always use 2x 512MB - unless seriously planning / expecting to raise it to 2GB (but with the issue of getting close enough compatibility for dual channel at a later date).

In general, perfect matching is not essential, though for good pairing, modules should generally have the same bank architecture (mainly chip count) and the same speed and timings. There is nothing spaecial that makes a pair, other than that they are certain to be two of the same type and specification - it's not like wallpaper matching!

Pesticle · Nov 17, 2006, 08:42 PM

I'm on a ULI chipset, 939Dual-SATA2 Board by ASRock

I have two sticks of 256 already in, but they're at a low speed and I'll probably just sell them off for cheap to a bud of mine who wants a tiny boost on an old PC, with less than 512 RAM.

So these two sticks will be the only sticks in the system.

Grace · Nov 17, 2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pesticle

I'm on a ULI chipset, 939Dual-SATA2 Board by ASRock

I have two sticks of 256 already in, but they're at a low speed and I'll probably just sell them off for cheap to a bud of mine who wants a tiny boost on an old PC, with less than 512 RAM.

So these two sticks will be the only sticks in the system.

For that motherboard, 2x512MB sticks will give you double the memory bandwidth of a single stick. Which doesn't mean that the computer will be twice as fast, but it will be better. Your motherboard supports DC mode.

Nov 17, 2006, 05:46 AM	#1
Pesticle DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 155 Rep Power: 0	Desktop Memory:2x512 or 1 gig stick? I just have a quick question. I'm deciding on getting a 2x512 dualchannel kit, or a 1 gig stick. I'm wondering if there is a performance advantage in getting the dual channel kit, rather than just getting a 1 gig stick. If there is NO performance advantage, I'll just get a 1 gig stick and save a slot. Any performance advantage means I'll grab the dual channel kit, it is the same price anyway. Thanks in advance.

Nov 17, 2006, 04:11 PM	#3
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	If there is existing memory, that also complicates things. It is usually better to make use of dual memory channels if available, only the old Nforce 2 (dual channel RAM to single channel CPU) showed little advantage. So: Case 1: Existing memory (single), aiming to double the RAM -> Add a similar module in the second channel and hope they match closely enough. Case 2: Existing memory (double). On some platforms, two pairs work well, on others (such as older revision S939 AMD64 CPUs), it can comprimse timings or even memory speed. To put 1GB of RAM on a sytem that does make use of dual channels, I would always use 2x 512MB - unless seriously planning / expecting to raise it to 2GB (but with the issue of getting close enough compatibility for dual channel at a later date). In general, perfect matching is not essential, though for good pairing, modules should generally have the same bank architecture (mainly chip count) and the same speed and timings. There is nothing spaecial that makes a pair, other than that they are certain to be two of the same type and specification - it's not like wallpaper matching! __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Nov 17, 2006, 08:42 PM	Thread Starter #4
Pesticle DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 155 Rep Power: 0	I'm on a ULI chipset, 939Dual-SATA2 Board by ASRock I have two sticks of 256 already in, but they're at a low speed and I'll probably just sell them off for cheap to a bud of mine who wants a tiny boost on an old PC, with less than 512 RAM. So these two sticks will be the only sticks in the system.