• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Memory slots

T

TommyPC

Junior Member
Does the number of Ram slots have any bearing on the number of sticks you should get? For example if a board has 4 slots and I want 512 MB of Ram, what would be best - 1 stick of 512, 2 of 256, or 4 of 128? Does it just come down to a cost issue or does performance factor into it as well?

Thanks.
 
Get as large a module as you can afford so that if you need to upgrade
the memory in the future, you won't have to throw any out.
 
I agree, to my knowledge there is no performance hit, though some motherboards don't like having all the slots filled (stability issues). There should be no problem with 4 * 128, but If you want to add ram later, you will have to throw out some ram. Personally, I would get 2 * 256 but 1 * 512 would probably be better (but more costly per m/b). Go with the highest mb/stick ratio that you can afford to.
 
One other thing that I like to consider when buying RAM in the potential problems if a stick goes bad... if you have 1 512 MB stick and it goes South, you'll be without your computer while getting a new stick or getting the bad one replaced. If you have 2 256 MB sticks, at least you can still use your computer while you get a replacement.

I agree with So -- I would get 2 256MB sticks.
 
Good Point Kevin! BTW have you ever had any memory "GO" bad? I haven't..I have had some new memory that was defective however.
Legitimate point still....
 
Actually, I have had a stick that half of it went bad, that was so weird... suddenly my 64 MB chip was only 32. Did it in every computer I put it in, so it wasn't my comp. And a friend of mine had a stick of 128 MB that went bad, his computer bluescreened on boot if that stick was in his PC. Got it replaced and there was no problem. So yes, it does happen, although admittedly not that much!
 
1 slot = 2 banks.
some chipsets support 6 banks,
so if the mb has 4 slots,
you can't use 4 double side dimm,
you must use 3 double side dimm + leave last slot empty or
2 double side dimm + 2 single side dimm.

the mb manual should have spec about that.
 


<< One other thing that I like to consider when buying RAM in the potential problems if a stick goes bad... if you have 1 512 MB stick and it goes South, you'll be without your computer while getting a new stick or getting the bad one replaced. If you have 2 256 MB sticks, at least you can still use your computer while you get a replacement.

I agree with So -- I would get 2 256MB sticks. >>



That's why you always keep an extra 64MB DIMM around. 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top