4GB or 2GB?

[mkln]

Hi, I was planning on upgrading to Vista x64 and was wondering what would be the best option. would it be better to get high end 2x 1GB memory or lower end 2x 2GB memory? which would give me better performance? (i actually plan on dual booting with XP x86 and Vista x64)

i have read some links on the benefit of 4GB (in a 64bit OS) and have also noticed that vista is a resource hog. I originally was hoping to just get high end 4x 1GB as that is significantly cheaper than high end 2x 2GB. are the 2GB modules likely to go down in price anytime soon?

thanks in advance

btw: i would be getting rid of my current RAM as it is going into a standby comp and i have about an hour and a half before i have to pull the trigger

 

[Hardlin]

Usually, the higher number of modules you have, the more latency you will have in access. I guess it all depends on what you are doing with your system and how much memory you are currently using (Vista x64 will use all the extra memory for cache to improve performance).

How's that for a non-answer?

 

[KeithTalent]

I do not know the specifc answer to your question, but I thought I would pass along a link to this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=2047216&enterthread=y which I found very interesting when deciding to go to 4GB.

Cheers,
KT

 

[Roguestar]

DDR2-800 is not low end. DDR2-800 is high end, especially considering most of the time whatever RAM you put in will run at DDR2-533 speeds unless you're overclocking.

There's nothing wrong with your current RAM . Get 2x1GB of it for your new PC, 4x1GB if you can get a good offer, seeing as RAM is cheaper now. DDR2-800 is not low end, and you'll barely notice a difference (if at all) between it and DDR2-1066, and no difference whatsoever unless they're specifically being run at their respective speeds and not just stuck in at default.

 

[Oyeve]

4x1GB

 

[mkln]

after some re-evaluation, my selection would most likely be one of the following:

Buffalo firestix PC2-6400: 2x 1GB = 119.99 (~143 total after shipping and taxes)
OCZ PC2-8500: 2x 1GB = 169.99 - 40MIR (~161 Total)
G-Skill PC2-6400 (6-6-6-18): 2x 2GB = 269.99 (~302 Total)

all prices are in CAD.

thanks for the replies so far. any more suggestions?

(i have a bit more than a half an hour before i must choose)

 

[mkln]

oh ya, the firestix and OCZs are confirmed micron d9s. dunno about the G-Skill.

 

[Roguestar]

Firestix used to be D9s but stopped being D9s a few months ago, actually.

Edit: Get two of these sets http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087

 

[mkln]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Firestix used to be D9s but stopped being D9s a few months ago, actually.

Edit: Get two of these sets http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087

oh no, are you sure about that?

 

[Roguestar]

Yes, someone called a Buffalo rep a few months ago when a lot of manufacturers were changing from D9 to promos/elpidia and others, and asked and from what I recall they were told that they are no longer D9.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

i just ordered some pc133 ram

 

[mkln]

thanks for all the replies guys

in the end i just went for the OCZs which are rated to run at 1066 and are confirmed d9s.

most likely though, if the price is the same or lower in the next couple of months, ill just get another set.

thanks again

 

[Roguestar]

Will you at least be running them at 1066? Are you overclocking? Changing the memory ratio?