4@512ddr 2t timing vs 2@1024 ddr 1t timing

[ZipSnipe]

I know this has probably come up in some shape or form.

First I play Battlefield2 (powerhungry game of the decade)
My Specs
Athlon3000 oc to 1.9
chaintech vnf4ultra
2@512 pny optima memory
gforce 6600/128 vid

My first question. Is it worth the difference in price to goto 2@1024 ddr($168) and be able to run at 1t command? Or is 4@512 ddr running at 2t command($85)? How much of a difference in performance? Lets say you had two machines with these two different configurations, howmuch is one better over the other? I have played with my 1t & 2t settings and 1t is only a little bit better.

3dmark03
Mem at 2t everything set to stock score 5203 cpu fps 94.5
Mem at 1t everything set to stock score 5217 cpu fps 98

Any opinions is appreciated?

P.S. yeah tryin to save a buck here...

 

[Celeryman]

My suggestion would be to invest in 1 512MB stick. Then save your other money, sell you 6600, and buy a new video card. I would suggest a 6800gs. I think that would smooth game out. You probably won't notice the difference between 1t and 2t. I didn't in BF2.

 

[JohnAn2112]

You'll gain more of a performance boost from having 2 gigs of RAM rather than taking a hit from going from 1T to 2T. The command rate change from 1T to 2T is very minor to begin with, maybe about 3% to 5% depending on the app and Battlefield 2 loves 2 gigs of RAM so just go with the 2 extra sticks of 512MB.

edit: spelling.

 

[ZipSnipe]

Thanks guys I think that input has helped me decide what i wanna do . Yeah Celery your right I am currently looking at a 6800 however I am still a couple of weeks away from being able to purchase it. But that will be first then ram. Thanx again

 

[alimoalem]

don't look into any 6800. go for the gs

 

[formulav8]

I would do almost watever I could to run at the 1T CRate. There is up to a 16% loss in performance (rare) according to a anandtech article and on average is a 5% performance loss.


Jason