Dual Channel DDR vs. Single Channel

[Akaz1976]

I am buying ASUS P4P800SE (Intel 865PE) mobo.

I was just wondering if i should get 2x256MB and run it dual channel or 1x512MB.

Price difference is about $10 more for 2x256 vs 1x512. But i thought dual channel performance might make it worth while!

Akaz

 

[MustISO]

2 x 512MB dual channel.

 

[theMan]

it depends on what programs you are using, some things will give you almost no advantage, some will give you a 7% advantage. i'd say its worth $10.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Not for Office apps.

For games you should probably be buying a socket 754 AMD A64/Sempron if you're on a tight budget.

 

[MrDudeMan]

why not get 2x512mb since 512 is not enough anymore?

 

[theMan]

id say its certainly enough for everything except SOME current games, and video editing. right now, im on a laptop with 128mb of ram, and im not seeing anything wrong with it, besides the fact that its a p3... my current rig has 512mb, and the only game where i notice problems is hl2, and its only like a few times where it locks for a split second. some people just cant afford so much ram, especially when its unneeded.

 

[MrDudeMan]

its cheap right now though and its the best upgrade that will enhance performance for the money IMO. easy to install, helps a ton, and helps to future proof.

 

[Cares]

Why don't people just answer the question anymore? I think 2x256 dual channel is better than 1x512 single channel.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: AlphaQ
Why don't people just answer the question anymore? I think 2x256 dual channel is better than 1x512 single channel.

Because we nned more context for a simple yes or no. Like what the machine will be used for, and how soon if ever the OP might want to add another 512.

2x256 will cost more, and on some motherboards may offer a worse upgrade path than 1x512 (if only 2-3 RAM slots).

 

[Akaz1976]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: AlphaQ
Why don't people just answer the question anymore? I think 2x256 dual channel is better than 1x512 single channel.

Because we nned more context for a simple yes or no. Like what the machine will be used for, and how soon if ever the OP might want to add another 512.

2x256 will cost more, and on some motherboards may offer a worse upgrade path than 1x512 (if only 2-3 RAM slots).

My current system specs are in my sig. My P4T533 mobo died. I am not looking to upgrade till december (my GF is going away for a month in december and i will upgrade right before then to get best system i can for the one month of gaming).

So i have decided to do a stop gap measure. I considered mobos based on 850 (RDRAM), 845, 848, 865 and 875 (all DDR) chipsets which are all compatible with my current CPU.

And i have decided on ASUS P4P800SE as its better than 845 and 848 based mobos and cheaper than 875 based one.

The chance that i could probably sell my 2x256 RDRAM (1066) for $150 drove me in DDR direction rather than just getting a 850 based replacement. I can get the mobo and DDR RAM in the price of my RDRAM (or nearly)

So really the only decision in between 2x256 or 1x512. I am not gonna go with 1Gig of RAM just yet.

Akaz