640MB single channel vs 512MB Dual Channel

[LIVAN]

I have a computer with 512MB of Dual Channel DDR 333mhz. I have a spare 128MB stick. I am just wondering if the extra 128mb is worth losing Dual Channel? Please help.

 

[thesurge]

do you overclock? dual channel's purpose is to reduce CPU bottleneck by the ram by doubling the data rate throughput. also if you have an a64 i think it might help to have it in dual channel.

 

[alimoalem]

if the apply does not apply to you, go for the 640, although you will not see a difference at all. why don't u sell the 128?

 

[sonoma1993]

what is your system specs?

 

[Matthias99]

You may not even be losing dual-channel if you have (2x256 + 1x128). Some chipsets (and all A64s, IIRC) can run in 'unbalanced' dual-channel, with different amounts of RAM on each channel.

If you do lose dual-channel, then no, it's probably not worth it unless you are constantly hitting your swapfile (but then even 128MB of extra RAM may not be enough).

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: LIVAN
I have a computer with 512MB of Dual Channel DDR 333mhz. I have a spare 128MB stick. I am just wondering if the extra 128mb is worth losing Dual Channel? Please help.

Probably not, but you have all the tools to run your own benchmarks and find out for sure.

 

[LIVAN]

It's actually wife's computer, she does QUickbooks and stuff on it. Celeron 2.40Ghz. I just thought adding the 128mb may make it a bit more snappier.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: LIVAN
It's actually wife's computer, she does QUickbooks and stuff on it. Celeron 2.40Ghz. I just thought adding the 128mb may make it a bit more snappier.

No. If it's Intel, you want to run in dual channel. AMD is a different story.