1 DIMM RAM, problems?

BlueMak · Aug 6, 2008, 10:38 AM

I am going to buy a notebook soon and I could save some money by buying only 2GB of ram in one DIMM and if I need it buy another next year or so. It is going to be a gaming notebook, among other things. Is there a serious disadvantages, not just theoretical, by using only 1 DIMM of DDR3 memory?

**Mousey** · Aug 6, 2008, 10:44 AM

If it's for gaming i'd definately suggest getting 2GB of memory for it, for regular desktop stuff it should be fine but you'll really feel the pinch when it comes to gaming with only 1GB

mkk · Aug 6, 2008, 11:12 AM

One 2GB stick will be fine on a gaming notebook because it will not make that much of a difference so at to be noticed over other bottlenecks coming with gaming on a notebook. Try finding a similar model with DDR2 and max the RAM out right away. What the heck are they doing putting out a notebook with DDR3 and then offer just 1GB of RAM anyway.

PangingJr · Aug 6, 2008, 11:30 AM

i think you won't be at a serious disadvantage, 1 2G Dimm for now should be good and plenty enough.

BlueMak · Aug 6, 2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mousey

If it's for gaming i'd definately suggest getting 2GB of memory for it, for regular desktop stuff it should be fine but you'll really feel the pinch when it comes to gaming with only 1GB

Mousey I think you missed the point.

I am considering buy 2GB of RAM in a single DIMM, so that I add another one some time in the future and save the money now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkk

One 2GB stick will be fine on a gaming notebook because it will not make that much of a difference so at to be noticed over other bottlenecks coming with gaming on a notebook. Try finding a similar model with DDR2 and max the RAM out right away. What the heck are they doing putting out a notebook with DDR3 and then offer just 1GB of RAM anyway.

Nah, they offer you to install as much as you want 1-4 GBs 1-2 DIMMS. I am just thinking if buying it with only 1 DIMM of 2GB will cause performance problems worth mentioning. 1-2% performance drop I can handle, 10%+ no.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

i think you won't be at a serious disadvantage, 1 2G Dimm for now should be good and plenty enough.

Yeah, that's what I was hoping for.

Thank you guys.

Judas · Aug 6, 2008, 03:39 PM

just a warning.

alot of laptops won't allow 2x2gb memory...

some of the system won't boot up or won't allow you into windows at all..

even though the manufacturers claim 4gb support.....

this royally screwed me up and pissed me off

**Mousey** · Aug 6, 2008, 03:56 PM

Woops looks like i did miss the point lol, To be honest i'd just go with 2x 1gb or take Mkk's advice of just looking for a DDR2 model

procupine14 · Aug 6, 2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

just a warning.

alot of laptops won't allow 2x2gb memory...

some of the system won't boot up or won't allow you into windows at all..

even though the manufacturers claim 4gb support.....

this royally screwed me up and pissed me off

wow thats scary. In any case, aside from the mentioned problems from judas I think you should be fine. Just as long as this isn't an issue like Judas stated

**Mousey** · Aug 6, 2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by procupine14

wow thats scary. In any case, aside from the mentioned problems from judas I think you should be fine. Just as long as this isn't an issue like Judas stated

Laptops aren't primarily designed for upgrading, which is why they're a bitch to get into 9/10, So that's probably why they get away with the memory thing Judas mentioned

Zelig · Aug 6, 2008, 05:40 PM

You'll lose out on dual channel... honestly, it's been so long since I've seen single channel benchmarks, I'm not really sure what to expect on new chipsets.

Highly memory dependent applications such as compression will likely see a big drop, I expect gaming would see a slight drop.

Judas · Aug 6, 2008, 06:29 PM

actually it's quite interesting to note that i was kinda shocked when i ran a single 2gb dimm and the opening screen states dual channel operational..

now wtf hey?

would that suggest that current laptop chipsets have been designed in such a manner to make use of dual channel mode with a single dimm? I wouldn't doubt the possibility... but i just took the notice with a grain of salt.

But i can honestly say, i notice no difference between a single 2gb dimm vs 2x1gb dimms in the same laptops.

Tipstaff would likely have a more indepth knowledge on this however.

PangingJr · Aug 7, 2008, 11:59 AM

you haven't mentioned having all that problem with laptops that were based on what platform and chipsets? Judas.

Judas · Aug 7, 2008, 08:38 PM

So far the chipsets are intel based with one AMD based chipset..

I'll have to go look up the models again though... But i'm fairly certain it's a manufacturers falt... not chipset specifically.

PangingJr · Aug 8, 2008, 11:30 AM

it might be that you were trying on the laptops/nootbooks that were with some older Intel mobile platform which were based on some Intel 945+ICH7M chipsets.

anyway, it's on some Internet news that DDR3 4GB notebook modules expected to be in mass production in Q2 2008,
so i assume, the more newer Intel mobile platform should have some that will handle 2x4GB modules, i just don't know which mobile platforms and that they are already available yet.

Judas · Aug 8, 2008, 03:39 PM

nope, the last model i attempted this on has just come out no more then 3 months ago...

PangingJr · Aug 8, 2008, 04:12 PM

i believe Intel 945/ICH7M chipset was still using in many of laptop units 3 months ago. how about give the model names if you still remember.

Judas · Aug 8, 2008, 04:37 PM

the last intel model was a Acer Aspire 7720z

Mobile Intel® GM965 Express

it states on thier product page.... 4gb DDR2-PC6400 ram supported..

but apparently it doesn't....

Bios see 4gb... but it won't let windows boot
and doing a fresh install, crashes the installer shortly after beginning with a BSOD

Aug 6, 2008, 10:38 AM	#1
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	1 DIMM RAM, problems? I am going to buy a notebook soon and I could save some money by buying only 2GB of ram in one DIMM and if I need it buy another next year or so. It is going to be a gaming notebook, among other things. Is there a serious disadvantages, not just theoretical, by using only 1 DIMM of DDR3 memory? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Aug 6, 2008, 10:44 AM	#2
Mousey Synth's Long Lost Bro Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Web Design Hell Posts: 7,189 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	If it's for gaming i'd definately suggest getting 2GB of memory for it, for regular desktop stuff it should be fine but you'll really feel the pinch when it comes to gaming with only 1GB __________________

Aug 6, 2008, 03:56 PM	#7
Mousey Synth's Long Lost Bro Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Web Design Hell Posts: 7,189 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Woops looks like i did miss the point lol, To be honest i'd just go with 2x 1gb or take Mkk's advice of just looking for a DDR2 model __________________

Aug 6, 2008, 05:40 PM	#10
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	You'll lose out on dual channel... honestly, it's been so long since I've seen single channel benchmarks, I'm not really sure what to expect on new chipsets. Highly memory dependent applications such as compression will likely see a big drop, I expect gaming would see a slight drop. __________________ --

Aug 6, 2008, 11:12 AM	#3
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,490 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	One 2GB stick will be fine on a gaming notebook because it will not make that much of a difference so at to be noticed over other bottlenecks coming with gaming on a notebook. Try finding a similar model with DDR2 and max the RAM out right away. What the heck are they doing putting out a notebook with DDR3 and then offer just 1GB of RAM anyway.

Aug 6, 2008, 11:30 AM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i think you won't be at a serious disadvantage, 1 2G Dimm for now should be good and plenty enough.

Aug 7, 2008, 11:59 AM	#12
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	you haven't mentioned having all that problem with laptops that were based on what platform and chipsets? Judas.

Aug 8, 2008, 11:30 AM	#14
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	it might be that you were trying on the laptops/nootbooks that were with some older Intel mobile platform which were based on some Intel 945+ICH7M chipsets. anyway, it's on some Internet news that DDR3 4GB notebook modules expected to be in mass production in Q2 2008, so i assume, the more newer Intel mobile platform should have some that will handle 2x4GB modules, i just don't know which mobile platforms and that they are already available yet.

Aug 8, 2008, 04:12 PM	#16
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i believe Intel 945/ICH7M chipset was still using in many of laptop units 3 months ago. how about give the model names if you still remember.