Question on New RAM Purchase

[Adam611]

I built a machine a little bit ago that has a Q6600, GeForce 8800GTS, 2x1 GB Ballistix PC6400 CL4. I have been told by a couple people that RAM is my system's weakest point. I use 32-bit Ultimate though and can't take full advantage of 4GB. My RAM usage sits around 40-50% with 2GB in Vista. I use the system primarily for gaming would it be wise to get a third 1GB stick of the same RAM while it's super cheap? This would leave 1 slot for future expansion if I switched to Vista 64-bit. What's my best bet?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I haven't moved to VISTA yet, using XP (Pro) MCE 2005 (32-bit).

I had only a 2GB 2x1GB kit of Crucial Ballistix DDR2-1000's. I may still find through running more benchmarks that there's a better way, but I run these at settings below "native DDR2-800" so that I can over-clock 1:1 and tighten the latencies to CAS 3 at either 3,3,3,6 or 3,4,4,8. With either of these latency settings, I had been able to run at a command-rate of 1T. Memory bandwidth is as much as anyone would want that way -- or it was.

I picked up another 1GB 2x512 kit -- going through some troubles getting the system to post (see a recent thread I started). So I have 3GB running as dual-channel memory. All the OC settings work fine, but now the command-rate defaults to 2T, and I took a slight hit on bandwidth performance.

If you only buy one stick as you suggest, you would be running in single channel mode as far as I can tell, and my best understanding of it is that you'd take a real performance hit.

I'm still gaining expertise in these matters, so other may want to comment. However, by the time the technology and software advances to a point where you can really use 4GB, you may be turning over your parts or the whole system on EBay. I had come to the conclusion that 3GB was plenty, and for my XP-based system, really more than I need. Especially, I can't run the Crucials at a single-clock-cycle command-rate. At least, I haven't tried, but as I said, the system defaults to 2T now and 1T before adding the extra GB.

VISTA consumes more memory. I'm not fond of this trend in the software industry, but that's the way it goes. Even so -- wouldn't you think with 1GB still free and adding another, you'd have enough? I suppose it depends on how much a performance hit you're willing to take and for how long before you move up the OS ladder and buy the module for the fourth slot. But if it was I, I would get a 1GB 2x512 kit.

Maybe someone else has more insight to offer on this.