1gb or 2gb memory

EnderNine

Member
Nov 11, 2003
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Which is better for an overclocked system(but for gaming too) 1gb or 2gb?

(mushkin redline xp4000) 1gbx2 or 512x2

I want good timings but is the 2gb sticks gonna restrict my overclocking?
 

darXoul

Senior member
Jan 15, 2004
702
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Make sure you don't get four 512 MB modules - this can restrict overclocking. With two 1 GB ones, you should be fine.

Now, a few words about the performance. In most games, 1 GB is absolutely enough. 2 gigs don't really make a difference in benchmarks even in the most RAM-intensive games like F.E.A.R. or BF2. However, some loading times do improve a bit and with only 1 GB, you may experience some stuttering due to swap file access. This isn't reflected in average fps comparisons but it can be a deal breaker in some situations. Therefore, for a new system I recommend 2 GB. With 2 gigs, you're on the safe and more future proof side.
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
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I'd go with 2x1gb sticks, more and more games are starting to suck up more than 1gb of ram, such as BF2, and lots of MMORPG's will use more that 1gb as well.
 

poisonthewell

Senior member
Jun 10, 2005
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I completely agree with both posters - 2x1gb; most here will tell you to go with 2gb. I was interested in what games you're playing in order to better answer your ? - not intending to be a d*ck in my 1st post. RAM prices have been reasonable for some time now, so go for it.
 

EnderNine

Member
Nov 11, 2003
104
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Does the 2gb overclock as good as 1gb sticks? will it limit me any? I plan to overclock it a few hundred mhz(800ish depending on what kind of cpu I can get my hands on).
 

EvilHomer

Senior member
Jul 11, 2002
329
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I already have 1gb of Patriot 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PDC1G3200+XBLK - and it cost me $200 about 6 months ago I was going to buy another set so I would have 4 x 512...Is this a bad Idea everyone keeps saying 4 x 512 is not good ......I want to upgrade to 2gb but I also don't want to throw out $200 worth of ram well its about $160 for another 1gb now ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220033
 

magomago

Lifer
Sep 28, 2002
10,973
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It depends what you play. There are a few games that absolutely need 2gigs (well not all 2 gigs, but over 1 gig) so you would need that. Personally I haven't come across the need, and actually just went from 512 meg to 1 gig only a few weeks ago. In the future yes you'll need two gigs, but when 2 gigs becomes the "standard" is something that you need lest you start getting lag will be far off. I would say right now that 512 works well in most cases.
That and 2x1 is cheap anyways so I would go for it, just expect to have a lot of unused(read:wasteD) ram