Memory: 1 stick vs. 2 sticks

[darbius]

Okay, so I'm planning on building the following computer and I'm trying to figure out what to do about memory:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI
Chaintech GeForce 6600GT 128MB
Seagate Barracuda 160GB 7200 RPM (SATA)
XP Pro

I don't tend to play the hardcore games like farcry or doom 3 or any of those, but I do play a lot of World of Warcraft and I may want to adopt some of those more hardcore first person shooters at some point. However, this computer will be largely a gaming rig and won't be used for a whole lot else.

I have decided on a few basic things about the memory. Regardless of brand it will be DDR 3200, and will be a total of 1GB. I have already read plenty about how dual memory on an AMD platform gives only a negligible performance increase, so I think I'm going to stick to single channel. I have also looked everywhere for the answers to these questions, but either I misunderstand the issue or the answer just isn't out there. Also, I may overclock sometime in the future, but since I don't even know how to do it or how any of that works, I wouldn't worry about that as a key issue. So based on that, a few questions:

1. Am I better off getting 1 x 1GB RAM or 2 x 512MB RAM? Why?
2. If I get 2 x 512MB do I have to run in dual channel? If so, since AMD in dual channel is pointless I would just get the 1 x 1GB, right?
3. I read that heatspreaders on memory are really more for appearance, but are they worth it? Do they prolong the life of the memory?

Thanks to all of you who help me figure this out.

 

[Silversierra]

I think most 1gb sticks of ram have higher latency values than the 512mb sticks. Higher latency is slower, so look for lower latency. Most 1gb sticks are cas 3 latency, while 512 sticks are 2, or 2.5 for good ram. Here 1gb stick 2x512mb sticks. The 512 is cas 2.5, while the 1gb is cas3. 512 also comes in cas 2 (and 3 for cheapo ram), and I think there may be 1gb cas 2.5. I think dual channel does give some performance increase. Heatspreaders could be useful for overclocking, but mainly so they look cool I think.

 

[Ike0069]

The only reason to get a 1 GB stick is if you plan to buy another 1 GB stick without upgrading anything else. This will allow you to continue to run 1T because you'll only have 2 sticks of RAM. With >2 sticks of RAM on a A64, you will have to run 2T.
If you plan to stay with 1 GB, then 2x512 is best not only for running in dual channel, but it's nearly half the price.

 

[darbius]

Thanks dude. But assuming the latencies are the same on 1GB stick and the 512GB sticks, would I be better off with the 1GB stick?

And what do the terms 1T and 2T mean? I've seen them in many places. Are those just references to channel? Single channel vs Dual channel?

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Silversierra
I think most 1gb sticks of ram have higher latency values than the 512mb sticks. I think dual channel does give some performance increase. Heatspreaders could be useful for overclocking, but mainly so they look cool I think.

Yea, most all 1 GB value RAM sticks are 3 CL.
The cheapest 1 GB sticks at < 3 CL are nearly $200 that I've seen. I'm sure this will change in the near future, but exactly when is the big question.

 

[darbius]

Okay, so since I'm probably not going to upgrade to 2GB of RAM in the very near future (i.e., probably not for a year or two), then I'm better off getting 2 x 512MB, right? Both because of the lower latency but also because of the increased bandwidth. Also, is there any reason I shouldn't be running in single channel mode? In one of my books it said that single channel mode is "not recommended" specifically in reference to an AMD build.

 

[Ike0069]

Running in single channel is fine, it's just that dual channel is faster. I think price is the big issue here. If they were the same price, or at least close, 1x1GB would probably be best.
As for the 1T vs. 2T, just know that running 2t will give you a big performance loss. For gaming, 2x512 GB (@1T) would perform better than 4x512 (@2T). Ribbon13 can explain this in alot more detail and I would expect him to post here soon.

 

[darbius]

I was looking at the following memory for my build. What's your opinion on the best way to go?

1 x 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-045&depa=1

2 x 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-114&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-440&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-037&depa=0

or 2 of these bad boys: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-546&depa=0

What would you recommend?

 

[LED]

For Price/Performace get the Corsair...

 

[Ike0069]

I see you got you 1T/2T answer.

 

[imported_Kensai]

If you got 2 X 512MB, you don't *have* to run it in dual channel. Heatspreaders are not only for appearence, if you're overclocking your system they are essential in keeping your ram cool. I'd personally take the Corsair or Kingston sets.

 

[Silversierra]

The Corsair is great for the price. It's like half as much money as the "good" stuff, while only being slightly slower.

 

[darbius]

Okay, you guys have all been a huge help, so now I just have one more question.

So I know the following:

1T = good
2T = bad

Can I run 2 x 512MB in dual channel but still be running at 1T? If so, that seems to be the pretty clear preference. However, if running dual channel with 2 DIMMs forces me into 2T, then the water gets foggier and I'd rather just run single channel.

I'm sorry guys. I know it feels like you're talking to a wall, but I think I'm actually starting to understand this stuff.

 

[Ike0069]

2x512 = dual channel @1T

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
2x512 = dual channel @1T