2 x 1gb ram question

[Toddo97]

For my (hopefully) soon pc build as soon as ATI releases their next card, I'm leaning towards getting 2x1gb of ram. I was going to get 2x512 and another 2 sometime down the road (this build will last me about 3 yrs), but heard that 2x1gb will perform better. For OC'ing (not too much--this'll be my first time), is it still a good idea to get value ram rather than more expensive stuff? I know 2x512 makes more sense to go value, but am not sure about the 1gb sticks. Also, does my plan for getting 2gb now make sense or should I go for 2x512 now and put the extra $100 into other things?

Thanks!

 

[V00D00]

The only difference between value ram and more expensive stuff is the price.

Timings seem to jack up the price, but they don't have a very big effect on overall performance.

If this rig is going to last you a while, then get 2x512 now, and when 1gb sticks aren't so expensive, go for it. I'm sure any game you play will not be limited by your ram. Most games are built to run on peice of crap computers, and because of that people with bleeding edge stuff kind of get ripped off.

I bought my motherboard for the fact that I can upgrade later and get a healthy performance increase. My mobo has DDR and DDR2 slots. So now I have 2x512 PC3200, and when DDR2 PC5300 is cheaper, I'll get some.

If you plan ahead in your upgrades you will save yourself a ton of money.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

I'd say go for 2x1GB if you play BF2 or Everquest. They're pretty much the only games that will perform better with more than 1GB of RAM. Go for some cheap value RAM and run a divider.

 

[BigCoolJesus]

I would strongly suggest gettting 2GB of RAM as it is futureproof.....BF2 has shown that 1GB wont be cutting it for long in newer games


also, if its your first time overclocking, ValueRAM is the best option

 

[Ike0069]

2x1 now.
Value is fine, but there are some good deals on Patriot 1GB CAS2 sticks floating around. Outpost has the Patriot 2x1 for $199 if they ever get them back in stock.

 

[Toddo97]

Great--thanks for the replies. How long do you think it'll be until 2gb becomes as standard as 1gb is now?

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: Toddo97
Great--thanks for the replies. How long do you think it'll be until 2gb becomes as standard as 1gb is now?

Well, people will always have thier reserves about 1GB, mainly because of all the superfast sticks you can only get in 512mb sticks (overclockers wet dream stuff basically)

but i would say that in a good year, most games that come out will require a bare minimum of 1GB (ie, most games now say 512mb, so it will double, and 2GB will be the reccomended)

 

[tropic]

My $.02:

I would rather have 2 x 1GB sticks rather than 4 x 512MB sticks. The main reason isn't highly technical--I'd rather have a couple memory slots open to upgrade if I ever need it especially since it seems 1GB system RAM will soon not be enough to run anything you want. I DID take into account the following caveats:

Smaller RAM modules are often "quicker" than larger ones--the memory controller has an easier time accessing the entire module.
Less compatibility issues when using smaller sticks.
Generally, smaller sticks are easier to overclock.
Larger sticks sometimes will not run at their rated speed/timings while an identically rated smaller stick will.

As for the Value RAM Vs. Premium RAM issue, I like to buy quality RAM, which can fall into either category. IMO, memory quality is one of the three most important things is building a stable computer, along with a steady PSU and quality motherboard. If you've picked your CPU and motherboard chipset already, check out some enthusiast forums to see what RAM works well with them. Also remember that the larger the stick, the more important it is to buy a quality part.

Speed & Timings: fast, low-latency RAM is nice, but it isn't the most important thing in the world. I'm running 2 x 1GB OCZ sticks in dual channel mode at Cas2-3-2-5 1T on an NF4 with a Venice core CPU. It's great, but I cannot tell the difference between them and 2GB of Corsair ValueSelect running at Cas3, except that I had to relax the Corsair's timings to get it to run stable.

 

[n7]

If you want to play newer games (think F.E.A.R., BF2), you need 2 GB.

Both those titles run like ass with only 1 GB.

However, if your budget can't handle buying 2x1 GB, just get a single 1 GB dimm for now, & grab a second 1 GB dimm later.

 

[orangat]

I'll say that if you're strapped for cash 512x2 is alright but make sure to get low latency 2ns high bandwidth sticks.

The reasoning is that the new Venice cores can run at max bandwidth and only take a hit to the command rate -2t, which doesn't make a big perf. difference - 3%. So you can fill up the next 2 dimm slots without taking a big hit to your wallet or pc perf.

Edit: Or you can get a single 1Gb stick and run in single channel mode on a 939 temporarily...

 

[mechBgon]

The Crucial PC3200 1GB modules came recommended to me by Zebo, and they're $104 at Newegg last I looked. That's what I got.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

Another Vote for 1GBx1. Get another later when you have the cash.