Memory Configurations?

[Rockinacoustic]

So currently I have desktop with 512mb of RAM in two 256mb DDR pc3200 modules.

My Question is if I chose to just add another stick of 512 for 1gb, would I have lesser performance if I had two 512 modules in dual channel? Or would the performance difference be null at best? I'd rather not spend double for nothing noticeable.

Thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[Bob Anderson]

You need to look up your motherboard on the manufacturer's site. Not all motherboards can handle four sticks in dual channel mode, and not all will function at PC3200 (400 Mhz).

You need to do the research to make an informed decision.

At the very least you need to specify your make and model and operating system here if you expect a useful answer.

-Bob

 

[Rockinacoustic]

This is on Windows XP SP2

I have an ASUS socket 939 Motherboard and it does support dual channel configurations.

Perhaps I should clarify this more:
1st configuration: Two 256mb dimms, and a 512mb dimm = 1gb RAM (note all are DDR 3200)
2nd Configuration: Two 512mb Dimms in Dual Channel config = 1gb (both also DDR 3200)

And my question being if there any advantage in performance in the 2nd config, over the first config. I already have the two 256 modules and I am curious whether I should add a 512mb stick or just buy a dual channel kit to upgrade to 1gb.

 

[Bob Anderson]

XPSP2 performs noticeably better with 1 GB compared to 512MB, in pretty much any type of computing. The second configuration will provide an increase in memory speed. Memory intensive applications will benefit from it. I'd go for number 2.

-Bob