How much do i lose if i run p4 prescott in single channel ?

[gryfon]

Well, as the topic says guys, how big is the performance penalty for a prescott 3.0 ghz, running only 1 stick 512 mb pc3200 in single channel with 865pe ? have anybody tested it ? because i never saw benchmark number for this.

And also which is better, above config, against 2x256MB dual channel ddr333 pc2700 with same mobo and processor.

i need to decide it for my inspiron 9100 memory....

thanks
gryfon.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, I don't know why you'd run slower memory than PC3200 with a Prescott, but the penalty for running single channel is between 5 and 10%, I believe. The penalty for the slower memory is probably about the same.

 

[gryfon]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Well, I don't know why you'd run slower memory than PC3200 with a Prescott, but the penalty for running single channel is between 5 and 10%, I believe. The penalty for the slower memory is probably about the same.

err... i just bought the inspiron for $878, and i can't afford for another $180+ for a gig of memory ATM, so i'm wondering is it better to bought a single 512mb pc3200 stick, and just add another one if i got the money, or just wait. The default memory is 256 MB DDR333

 

[LTC8K6]

I'd just get another 256MB stick of PC2700 and let it go at that. While you are losing a bit of performance by not having PC3200, I don't think it's enough to worry about or to spend a lot of money fixing.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I'd just get another 256MB stick of PC2700 and let it go at that. While you are losing a bit of performance by not having PC3200, I don't think it's enough to worry about or to spend a lot of money fixing.

That's a good cheap solution for now since dual channel 2700DDR is preferable to 3200DDR SC for performance on that platform.

 

[aepheton]

There is just one problem about the this question.
If you have to choose between dual channel slower memory of single channel faster memory think about this:
1. A faster memory will help you when you try some overclock.
2. There is also a possibility of upgrade. 512 MB RAM is not that much anymore.

Actually I am running a single channel 512 MB 3200DDR on a P4 2.4 GHz Prescott @ 2.88 GHz (1 MB). As soon as possible I will upgrade to 1 GB RAM and them it will be 1 GB 3200DDR dual channel. As good as it takes.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, he said he didn't have much money to spend on memory for his laptop, so that's why I said just get another stick of PC2700 and let it go.

Yes you'll have 1GB of DCDDR ram aepheton, but you still won't have hyperthreading and you'll still be a bit slower than a 2.4C Northwood overclocked.

You'll also still have a God-awful FX5200 card.

 

[w00t]

dual channel is alot better for p4's

 

[gryfon]

thanks for the reply guys, so if i'm reading it correctly y'all agreed that dual channel on pc2700 is better than having single channel on ddr3200 ? will it (the difference in performance) be significant between those two crippled config ?

not that i don't trust you, but i would like to know why... is there a reason for this ? i.e is it because the dual channel @333 will be more effectively used than single channel@3200 ?

ATM i only got the money enough for 1 stick pc3200 512MB, but maybe 2 or 3 months later i can get something worked out....


thanks.
gryfon

 

[uOpt]

The performance impact is absolutely minimal, I tested on my P4 2.8C and it is very hard to even get to 3%. That applies to compiling, encoding and games.

Apparently half-life 2 is the only game benefitting from dual-channel memory right now, at least that is what some tests of different AMD64 platforms/sockets imply.

I would go single-channel 3200 for now if you are tight on money for now and expect to spend more later.

 

[Thermalrock]

dual channel pc2700 = bandwidth of single channel pc5400. get it?

 

[LTC8K6]

I still think since the laptop already has a stick of PC2700, he should just get another one and let it go in dual channel mode.

 

[gryfon]

Originally posted by: Thermalrock
dual channel pc2700 = bandwidth of single channel pc5400. get it?

isn't that's the theory ? But on s939 dual channel doesn't seem to affect much of performance.. that's why i asked how does it goes on p4 platform... Also to my understanding the performance of the memory is also affected by latency right ? not just bandwidth ?

The performance impact is absolutely minimal, I tested on my P4 2.8C and it is very hard to even get to 3%. That applies to compiling, encoding and games.

MartinCracauer, the performance impact that you said above is for general benchmarks right ? i mean it's not a memory benchmark, but an overall system performance, right?

I still think since the laptop already has a stick of PC2700, he should just get another one and let it go in dual channel mode.

I'm sorry i also forgot to add this, the laptop is in dual channel mode..., it has 2 sticks of 128MB pc2700 memory, that's why my option is already limited, the 256/512MB pc2700 can be bought for cheap, such as the deals on hot deals forum, but i've never seen such a deal on pc3200 sodimm. Thanks for the suggestion though, i might go that way if that's the case..

 

[LTC8K6]

P4's love memory bandwidth. The more the merrier.

2 128MB sticks in there huh? Well that would change my mind. I would want 512MB of memory.

I would get 2 256MB sticks of PC3200 then. I have seen them at Newegg for ~$40 ea. If you can afford that though, then you can probably afford a single 512MB/3200 stick now and then get another one later. Since we are only talking about PC3200 now, there would be no speed difference worries.

Maybe you can sell the 128MB sticks and get a bit of your hard earned dough back?

 

[gryfon]

then you can probably afford a single 512MB/3200 stick now and then get another one later

Yes, that's the reason i'm asking this, will it be much different in performance if i decide to spend my money on 2 stick of cheap sodimm pc2700 @ 256 Mb in dual channel than having a stick of PC3200 @512mb running in single channel mode.

Since we are only talking about PC3200 now, there would be no speed difference worries.

i don't think i understand this. Could you elaborate ? Do you mean later, if i bought another stick ?

Maybe you can sell the 128MB sticks and get a bit of your hard earned dough back?

Yes, that's an option, but i also heard that for the warranty to be remain valid, i must have the original config (unless i changed it thru dell) incase something happened to my notebook and i need to send it back. Since my warranty is only 1 year, i will consider that too..

gryfon.