512 MB RAM problem

[censor]

I'm building a new computer and have run into a dilemna. I know I want 512 MB of memory. However, I'm not sure how I should implement it. I'm going to be using an nForce2 motherboard, and would like to take advantage of the dual channel memory controller. That would of course mean purchasing two 256 MB dimms. If I go this route and decide to upgrade my memory, I would need to purchase two 512 MB dimms at a later date. However, I could just purchase one 512 MB dimm now, and purchase a second at a later a time. This seems to make more financial sense (one 512 is cheaper than two 256, and the upgrade to 1024 will be cheaper as well). The question I have is how much of a performance bump does using the dual channels give? I'll be using an Athlon XP 2200+?

 

[vexingv]

single digit percentage points in most instances....i myself have 2x256 Dimms on an NF2 mobo, but i dont plan to upgrade. there was a review/test done on AT of some other website where they tested the board w/ 2 populated dimms vs one dimm

 

[Lord Evermore]

If your board has 3 slots, then when you decide to upgrade you can put the two 256MB modules in the 2 slots that run on one channel, and a 512MB module on the other slot that's the second channel, and get the performance of dual-channel. This applies only to NF2 of course.

 

[Keego]

I would definatley go with 512 in a single stick now, and then upgrade later. I think there were some problems with crucial 512 sticks working in nforce2 motherboards? I can't remember :/

 

[vexingv]

Lord Evermore,
from wut i remeber in reviews and in my epox manual...when u populate all 3 dimms u're no longer running w/ dual channel memory

 

[Lord Evermore]

The nforce2 data sheets say you can do it with 3 modules the way I described. 🙂 And lots of people here have said the same thing (in fact that's how I first heard of it and then checked the data sheet).

The Asus A7N8X manual isn't really clear on it. It has a description of which module sizes can be used in each slot, then a "pay attention" note below that says for best performance with dual-channel mode to use slots 1 and 3, or 2 and 3, or 1, 2 and 3. I guess they were just pointing out that 1 and 2 can't be used for dual-channel. But it definitely means all 3 slots can be used for dual channel, but they fail to point out that each channel needs to have the same total memory amount for best performance.