1 stick of 512 or 2 of 256?

[Mo0o]

Im trying to decide what to buy for my new computer, whether to get a single stick of 512 or get 2 sticks of 256 and do dual channel. If i get two sticks of 256 , i can't upgrade to 1 gig in the future without buying two new sticks of 512 since im getting a SFF w/ only 2 ram slots.

oh btw, anyone have any experience with this ram? : NewEgg
Seems like a great deal for its price/speed/latency

 

[jdogg707]

I have used the OCZ and it is great, but I would only recommend it for an A64 or Athlon XP, since it is meant to run at low latencies and not overclock. If you are using the nForce2 you will not see a huge difference in performance with dual channel memory unless you have an onboard video solution, otherwise the difference is usually less than 5%.

 

[Mo0o]

The current plan for my future rig is a Shuttle SB61G2 (Chipsets: Intel 865G + ICH5) so what would you recommend other than OCZ or should I stick with OCZ as long as I dont OC? I just thought about that ram because of the super low latency levels and good pricing.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
The current plan for my future rig is a Shuttle SB61G2 (Chipsets: Intel 865G + ICH5) so what would you recommend other than OCZ or should I stick with OCZ as long as I dont OC? I just thought about that ram because of the super low latency levels and good pricing.

If you don't overclock, go with the platinum OCZ, if you are going to overclock, grab PC4000. Since you are going with the 865, definately go dual channel as the difference is pretty significant.

 

[Anubis]

1 of 512 makes it easier to go to 1 gig this way

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: Anubis
1 of 512 makes it easier to go to 1 gig this way

yeah that was one of my considerations but with only 1 stick i wont be able to do dual channel.

 

[BFG10K]

Your decision will depend on how quickly you are upgrading to 1 GB. If it's more than a year or so then go with 2x256. If not then endure the lower performance of single channel for a few months but then you'll save money when it comes time to upgrade.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: Anubis
1 of 512 makes it easier to go to 1 gig this way

 

[Dantzig]

1 x 512MB since you'll probably want to upgrade to 1GB in the near future.

 

[Mo0o]

I'm probably not plannning on upgrading in the near future (within the next year alteast).

 

[Dantzig]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
I'm probably not plannning on upgrading in the near future (within the next year alteast).

I'll bet that you'll want to upgrade before then At least if you play any games.

 

[Mo0o]

You think 512 will really be insufficient to play the next gen games coming out?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
You think 512 will really be insufficient to play the next gen games coming out?

Probably not, but you don't want to find out you don't have enough ram after you've already bought 2x256MB sticks, do you? BTW, Geil is by far the best cheap ram with good latencies for a P4-based system. OCZ is the best for nForce2-based systems. Here's a couple of links for you:
Geil 2-3-3-6 PC3200 for $65 each, Geil 2x256 DC kit with 2-3-3-6 timings for $125, Geil Golden Dragon 1x512MB of PC3200 for $129, Geil DC kit with 2x512MB sticks & 2-3-3-6 timings for $231. With a P4-based system, you're almost always better getting low-latency PC3200, instead of higher-latency PC3700 or PC4000, because it doesn't hurt their performance at all when you use a ram divider.

 

[KristopherKubicki]

Whatever is cheaper man

Mo0o: Have you played UT2K4 yet?

Kristopher

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
I'm probably not plannning on upgrading in the near future (within the next year alteast).

You can either buy 2x256 now, and 2x512 later to reach 1 gig, or you can buy 1x512 now and 1x512 later to reach one gig. Buying 2x256 that you'll just throw away later seems like a waste. And yes you could reuse the 2x256 one day, but by that time you'll probably want more than 2x256 in a machine. Go with the 512, you really won't notice any non-dual-channel performance hit, and you'll be happier in one or two months when you come to your senses and want 1 gig

 

[Cid]

Originally posted by: Anubis
1 of 512 makes it easier to go to 1 gig this way

yeah, save the headaches for another day.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: crimson117

Originally posted by: Mo0o

I'm probably not plannning on upgrading in the near future (within the next year alteast).

You can either buy 2x256 now, and 2x512 later to reach 1 gig, or you can buy 1x512 now and 1x512 later to reach one gig. Buying 2x256 that you'll just throw away later seems like a waste. And yes you could reuse the 2x256 one day, but by that time you'll probably want more than 2x256 in a machine. Go with the 512, you really won't notice any non-dual-channel performance hit, and you'll be happier in one or two months when you come to your senses and want 1 gig

If you don't overclock, go with the platinum OCZ, if you are going to overclock, grab PC4000. Since you are going with the 865, definately go dual channel as the difference is pretty significant.

so would i feel a change going from dual channel (2x256) to 1 stick 512? I'm getting opposing opinions.

 

[BFG10K]

You think 512 will really be insufficient to play the next gen games coming out

Yes.

 

[Alkali]

1x512 imho