Have 2x1gb now, want to add another 2 gigs?

[amheck]

Hi, I think I know that it's recommended to only use 2 sticks of RAM, but I'm not sure why, so I was hoping someone could explain it.

I have 2 x 1gb sticks of HyperX DDR2 memory and I'm putting together a new C2D system. I would really like 4gigs of RAM, but that would require me either to buy 2 more sticks, for a total of 4 sticks, or put that memory in the parts bin (which seems like such a waste) and spend money on 2 x 2gb. Can someone please explain the downside to using a total of 4 sticks of RAM in a OC'd C2D system?

Thanks!
Aaron

 

[GundamF91]

supposedly it makes Northbridge hotter by running 4 sticks because memory controller has to work twice as hard. So that'll drop your oc ability on the mainboard-memory side. By the way, I run 2x2GB, and it'll still only let me do 2T command rate because of the density of the memory. you're not going to get any faster memory timing with 2x2 over 4x1, the only thing you may gain is the stability. So you're not missing much with 4x1 as long as your board can take it.

 

[Cutthroat]

Works fine for me, but results may vary. My only suggestion would be that you buy RAM as close to identical as you can to the stuff you already have.

 

[cozumel]

And it varies the result you get from board to board. Some will be good with 4x1GB whilst others work better with 2x2GB...

 

[amheck]

Thanks guys. I guess I'll give the 2gb a try now and see how the new system runs. If I could take the e6400 up to 2.8-2.9GHz and add another 2 gig RAM if necessary, that'd be cool. If the board can't do 3.1-3.2 Ghz, I'd be ok with that.