Quick Memory Question: 4x512MB or 2x1GB

[Cheex]

Which is better and why?

 

[xollox]

Performance wise I would imagine they'd be the same.

2x1gb gives you 2 more slots to upgrade, without 'throwing out' your old RAM.

 

[Nickel020]

I don't know about Intel, but on A64s 4x512MB will only run at 2T which nets a 2-5% performance loss IIRC and depending on the motherboard may only run at DDR333 if all modules are double-sided.

 

[Cheex]

So basically 2x1GB would overall be better. This is what I thought. I just like being certain of things.

 

[Alone]

2x1GB. Less reading by the system, more room for expansion, better sticks for re-sell if needed.

 

[Rottie]

2GB will give you a long term investment. 512MB is very old Many programs will be able to run smooth if you have more than 512MB.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: Rottie
2GB will give you a long term investment. 512MB is very old Many programs will be able to run smooth if you have more than 512MB.

4x512MB = 2GB

 

[tallman45]

Every component draws power to run

A single stick of 512mb DDR will draw 2.6 Watts
A Single stick of 1gb DDR will draw 3.3 Watts

So
4 x 512 = 10.4 watts of power
2 x 1gb = 6.6 watts of power

Does not add up to much but you are asking what the differences are

 

[Roguestar]

2x1Gb is better because:
- less parts to go wrong
- less power consumed (not that it makes a significant difference)
- less slots taken up so you don't have to toss it all out if you want to go to 4Gb
- less packing and transport weight so easier on the courier's arms 😛

 

[Cheex]

Thanks people. Enough said.

Please look at this for me. I'm undecided and I need some help.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: Rottie
2GB will give you a long term investment. 512MB is very old Many programs will be able to run smooth if you have more than 512MB.

4x512MB = 2GB

ooops your right. 4 sticks are not worth it will run with 2T no room to add later.

 

[Skotty]

Will dual channel work with 4 of the same sticks? I've never tried it.

 

[E6700]

nope 🙂

 

[Avalon]

Cheex, if you were still looking for some cheap D9, go to Buffalo's website and order a 1GB PC-8000 stick of Firestix. It's on sale for $94.50 for a stick. I'm pretty positive those use D9 (I'd check around for confirmation first).

 

[Cheex]

Tempting but....Look at my other thread (linked above).

FireStix DDR2-1000 @ 5-5-5-15 (Micron D9) = $103
G.Skill DDR2-800 @ 4-4-3-5 (ProMOS) = $110

The G.Skill is stable as high as 1162 and does 1200 (maybe this can be made to be stable).
I don't know but please move this over to my other thread.

 

[superHARD]

Originally posted by: tallman45
Every component draws power to run

A single stick of 512mb DDR will draw 2.6 Watts
A Single stick of 1gb DDR will draw 3.3 Watts

So
4 x 512 = 10.4 watts of power
2 x 1gb = 6.6 watts of power

Does not add up to much but you are asking what the differences are

Kool, I didn't know that...thanks!

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Skotty
Will dual channel work with 4 of the same sticks? I've never tried it.

Yes, definitely.

Originally posted by: E6700
nope 🙂

Wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_channel


In fact on the latest intel chipsets even if you run 3 sticks of memory you'll get better performance than single channel as two sticks will essentially run in dual channel and the third normally. Search the forums for "dual channel".

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Avalon
Cheex, if you were still looking for some cheap D9, go to Buffalo's website and order a 1GB PC-8000 stick of Firestix. It's on sale for $94.50 for a stick. I'm pretty positive those use D9 (I'd check around for confirmation first).

Unfortunately from what we've been told, the Buffalo Firestix no longer use D9 🙁.

The DDR2 memory guide thread is still full of good suggestions though.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1966035

 

[nerp]

2T vs 1T has been discussed to no end and the general ruling is that the difference is quite minimal and most people will never notice. We're talking 1-5 fps in games and only a tiny drop in synthetic benchmarks.

I'd say don't worry about going with 4 sticks if you already have 2 512s. If you're starting from scratch, you definatley want to go with 2x1GB sticks, but many people like me have thrown in a second pair of 512s to go to 2GB with no problems at all.

My memory has given me no problems at all in this configuration and the only change from the rated speeds (DDR500 @ 250mhz 3-3-3-8) was 2T instead of 1T. Not that big of a deal, if you ask me. The boost to 2GB is quite impressive, especially in Vista.

I'd recommend against throwing out your memory just to keep two banks free. I was contemplating chicking my sticks and getting 2x1GB but I felt like that would be a waste of money. Now that I've upgraded, I realize it would have been a huge waste of money.