2 sticks vs. 4 sticks of ram

[snoopdoug1]

Does it matter if I use 2x1GB or 4x512MB or RAM? It's usually cheaper to get the 4 sticks, but is that causing a performance hit?

Thanks!

 

[Bobthelost]

Yes 4 sticks means you'll drop down to DDR333 speeds and to 2T timings.

Bad.

 

[NeonFlak]

If your talking amd 64 dropping down to 333 and 2t only happened with older hardware. Otherwise it shouldn't make a difference, I'm running 4x512 1:1 with my x2 3800 @ 260mhz.

 

[snoopdoug1]

Originally posted by: NeonFlak
If your talking amd 64 dropping down to 333 and 2t only happened with older hardware. Otherwise it shouldn't make a difference, I'm running 4x512 1:1 with my x2 3800 @ 260mhz.

so the problem he is talking about is fixed?

 

[Wentelteefje]

If you're coupling it with an AMD64, look out for Venice cores... All the X2's should be compatible too... Older Winnies had problems to run at PC3200 speeds when pairing them up with 4 modules, but Venice ones sport an updated integrated memory controller that can handle them...

 

[snoopdoug1]

Yeah, I was thinking about pairing it with a venice... so either way it should work the same right?

 

[Wentelteefje]

Yes, with a Venice it should give no problems... What mobo?

 

[snoopdoug1]

probably the EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra.

Also... is there a reason you have to buy RAM in a pair now? Reason i'm asking is it's 5 bucks cheaper to buy 2 of the exact same module, instead of buying the "pair"

 

[Wentelteefje]

:thumbsup:

An EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra truly is a helluva mobo... OCs as well as DFI, but is much more compatible with hardware... By buying in pairs, you mean sold as Dual Channel mem...? Don't worry about it, single sticks can perfectly work in Dual Channel configs too... Modern mobo's don't make a fuss about it...

 

[snoopdoug1]

Thanks for the help

 

[Wentelteefje]

No prob