2x 256 ddr or 1x 512???

[yabanci]

I'm putting together an amd xp2500+ barton / epox 8rda+ combo and was planning on getting 2x256 of kingston hyperx pc3200 ram. Then somebody told me the following. Is this true?? What are the recommendations?

"you should probably get 1x512 instead of 2x256. The dual channel memory thing is basically a load of bollocks unless you're using the IGP, which the 8RDA+ doesn't have. 1x512 should be cheaper, and leaves you better expansion options later."

 

[Corporate Thug]

no, thats not true. get 2*256 and run DCDDR

 

[tenoc]

Dual channel needs two sticks to operate.

Yes, the improvement is not huge, but it does exist.

Plus, if one stick goes bad, and you only have one to begin with......, do the math.

 

[oogabooga]

DUAL CHANNEL :::: It really makes a difference (Albiet, not a GREAT one) but it is worth it. If you might upgrade ram i might even wait and get 2x512 but i imagine most people would not wait. The Dual channel isn't "a load of bollocks" and is something worth considering for sure.

correction: 2x512 is very expensive, and most would find other options, thats what i mean. Between 2x256 and 1x512 i'd go 2x256

 

[NTB]

I thought DC only made an appreciable difference if you were using onboard video, but maybe I'm wrong....Anybody care to clear this up?

Nate

 

[x3m]

Originally posted by: NTB
I thought DC only made an appreciable difference if you were using onboard video, but maybe I'm wrong....Anybody care to clear this up?

Nate

Yes, that's true, with nForce boards DC may improve the overall performace with 1-5%, but if you're using onboard video it could improve the video card performance with over 50 percent! (according to anand review)

I made my own test (I put the stick in wrong sockets at first) and in Sandra Memtest the difference were about <1% in 133 FSB (synchronized).

One bad thing if you're buying 2x256Mb RAM, is that you could only upgrade with another 512Mb (1024Mb tot).

 

[Confused]

If you're not using the IGP, then the peformance increase using DCDDR will not be too great.

Therefore, I would get the single stick of 512mb now, then, later, when you can afford it, get another stick of 512mb, for a total of 1GB RAM (which will speed up your computer greatly anyway! ) and then you will get the advantages of DCDDR.

If however you had a board with IGP, go for 2x256


Confused

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: x3m
Yes, that's true, with nForce boards DC may improve the overall performace with 1-5%, but if you're using onboard video it could improve the video card performance with over 50 percent! (according to anand review)

I made my own test (I put the stick in wrong sockets at first) and in Sandra Memtest the difference were about <1% in 133 FSB (synchronized).

One bad thing if you're buying 2x256Mb RAM, is that you could only upgrade with another 512Mb (1024Mb tot).

Which two sockets does the memory go into in order to activate DC mode? The two that are closest to eachother? (I've noticed that nforce boards have two closely-spaced sockets, and one that's set off a little further to the right). Just curious, since I'm building an Epox 8RGA+ system this weekend.

Nate

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: x3m
Yes, that's true, with nForce boards DC may improve the overall performace with 1-5%, but if you're using onboard video it could improve the video card performance with over 50 percent! (according to anand review)

I made my own test (I put the stick in wrong sockets at first) and in Sandra Memtest the difference were about <1% in 133 FSB (synchronized).

One bad thing if you're buying 2x256Mb RAM, is that you could only upgrade with another 512Mb (1024Mb tot).

Which two sockets does the memory go into in order to activate DC mode? The two that are closest to eachother? (I've noticed that nforce boards have two closely-spaced sockets, and one that's set off a little further to the right). Just curious, since I'm building an Epox 8RGA+ system this weekend.

Nate

The two close together are one channel, and the single one is the other channel. For DC you will want to use the single one, and one of the double ones


Confused

 

[x3m]

Originally posted by: NTB


Which two sockets does the memory go into in order to activate DC mode? The two that are closest to eachother? (I've noticed that nforce boards have two closely-spaced sockets, and one that's set off a little further to the right). Just curious, since I'm building an Epox 8RGA+ system this weekend.

Nate

http://www.8rdafaq.com/

 

[propellerhead]

1 GB if RAM sounds cool, but do you think you'll need it? I watched System Monitor for several weeks and for 99% of what I do, Windows uses less than half of my 512 MB of RAM.

I might need 1 GB of RAM later when I install Windows 2006 or something, but by then, I will be building an entirely new PC.

In short, consider the expected lifespan of this PC.

 

[propellerhead]

Freakin double post. Sorry.

 

[Fallengod]

1 GB is useless in my opinion. Windows doesnt use that much ram. Its a waste of money and if you ever want to upgrade, you will lose more money trying to sell it.

 

[Matt84]

1GB of ram is not useless under some common circumstances. Load a large image into photoshop or do some minor video editing and watch your 1GB of RAM quickly fill up