Core2011 notebook memory question

[will2]

Am considering getting a Latitude E6520 notebook that uses a Intel QM67 chipset with Core2011

For Windows7 & typical office apps with some photo/video editing, is much to be gained by going higher than 4GB DDR3-1333 ?

Dell customisation states can buy using 4G DRAM as either a single stick, or 2 sticks of 2GB (bit cheaper)

I remember older nVidia desktop chispsets used 'dual-channel DRAM' for faster performance.

My question is, for 4GB DRAM & Notebook Core2011/chipsets, is it better to have 1 stick or 2 - and why ?

 

[razel]

Assuming you mean Sandy Bridge, then 2 sticks since the memory controller (so far) is 2 channel. There were rumblings of Dell notebooks that support 4 sticks.

What's even better, you can buy as fast of a stick that you want since the memory controller will take what you give it, assuming your notebook vendor's BIOS lets you. Check out legitreviews review of the Kingston's HyperX DDR3-1866 RAM for the Sandy Bridge notebook that boosted onboard graphics performance.

Traditionally the difference between 1 stick and 2 sticks is minimal and despite the RAM benchmarks, I'm still old school since there won't be much difference in the end. However since RAM prices are ridiculously low, if you need new RAM might as well spring the extra few bucks, especially for quality RAM.

 

[will2]

Assuming you mean Sandy Bridge, then 2 sticks since the memory controller (so far) is 2 channel. There were rumblings of Dell notebooks that support 4 sticks.

What's even better, you can buy as fast of a stick that you want since the memory controller will take what you give it, assuming your notebook vendor's BIOS lets you. Check out legitreviews review of the Kingston's HyperX DDR3-1866 RAM for the Sandy Bridge notebook that boosted onboard graphics performance.

Traditionally the difference between 1 stick and 2 sticks is minimal and despite the RAM benchmarks, I'm still old school since there won't be much difference in the end. However since RAM prices are ridiculously low, if you need new RAM might as well spring the extra few bucks, especially for quality RAM.

Many thanks for that. The Dell site configurator - help-memory choice does not state if their Latitude can benefit from dual-channel.
Any thoughts on my other question: "For Windows7 & typical office apps with some photo/video editing, is much to be gained by going higher than 4GB DDR3-1333 ?