Question regarding RAM chips

[mangled]

Tried motherboard forums...trying here as well:

I'm going to be getting some DDR memory fairly soon. Looking to get 512mb of it.

I've looked at several vendors and I can actually save some money if I buy 2-256mb modules instead of one 512mb module. Why is that? And is there an advantage to going with one 512mb ($80) instead of 2-256mb ($60)?

 

[dullard]

Basically the advantage is that you have one more free slot for additional memory. If you have 4 slots and want 2 GB of memory, you cannot use the 256MB modules. Of course most people don't need that kind of memory, so most people don't buy the 512 MB modules. For that reason, the 512 MB are more expensive (the production costs are shared by fewer people). Get the 256 MB ones.

Edit: there may be other minor differences. For example, my motherboard can only use memory that has 16 memory devices (chips) on each module. Thus for a manufacturer to build a 256 MB module, sixteen 16 MB devices could be used. For that manufacturer to build a 512 MB module, sixteen 32 MB devices must be used. The larger capacity devices cost more to make. Some motherboards may be more forgiving, and might allow memory modules with thirty two 16 MB devices on a 512 MB module (if that occured the 512 MB module would cost about the same as two 256 MB modules).

 

[mangled]

ah, i see what you mean. i wasn't sure if it was some technical advantage to having one 512mb over two 256mb. So I just gotta decide if I want the option to have 1024mb of RAM sometime in the near future or not....probably not as 512mb is more than enough for some time to come (it'll be combined with an Athlon XP 1800 and Geforce 3)