Two 256 or one 512 ddr ram?

[Achilles97]

I read in some post someone said for a dual-channel chipset you want 2 sticks instead of one. I have an nForce2 chipset, should I get one stick or two?

Thanks

 

[human2k]

Get two sticks of course! With 2 sticks you can run your ram in DUalDDR mode. Good ram to go with it would be corsair twin packs or 2 samsung pc700 256mb sticks if your on a budget.

 

[Brian48]

Well, I would add a caveat that if you can get the single stick of 512mb at a significantly cheaper price, then it might be better to opt for that instead. I've tried both dual and single channel configuration (two 256mb Crucial PC2700 vs one 512mb Samsung PC2700) with my A7N8X. The performance gain is so minimal, it's not worth the money *if* there's an additional cost. Also, the general consensus is that if you're planning on overclocking with a 400mhz or more FSB, the single stick is a bit more stable.

 

[KidChaos]

Get two, whether it be 2x256MB or 2x512MB. I should mention that you can get two 512MB samsung Original PC2700 memory modules for only ~$226!!! Corsair Twinx is quite pricey but it's the best.

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: Brian48
Also, the general consensus is that if you're planning on overclocking with a 400mhz or more FSB, the single stick is a bit more stable.

I'm interested to see how the Corsair PC3200 Twinx memories change this. As they seem to be engineered with Dual-Channel DDR overclocking in mind.

 

[CraigRT]

there are reasons for single or dual.
i'd get the 512 if i was running a system without dual DDR capabilities.
if running an NForce2, go with the 2 sticks fo dual DDR.

also think of expandability. most mobos only like using 2 sticks at a time, sometimes fill all 3 (most have 3) can be a problem unless you buy ECC stuff.

there are a few different reasons to think of.
i am getting 2x256 PC3500 cause I am going to be running dual DDR in a little while.

 

[jeffrey]

Get two 256mb sticks of PC2700 from a quality manufacturer and the best price you can find.

Here is Anand's first review of the Nforce2 chipset. The follow-up to that review can be read Here.

 

[Ipno]

If you can wait a week or two, I would, else, I would buy one 512m stick now, and wait till later to get another 512m stick.

 

[Achilles97]

What do you mean by wait a week or two?

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: KidChaos

Originally posted by: Brian48
Also, the general consensus is that if you're planning on overclocking with a 400mhz or more FSB, the single stick is a bit more stable.

I'm interested to see how the Corsair PC3200 Twinx memories change this. As they seem to be engineered with Dual-Channel DDR overclocking in mind.

"Engineered with Dual-Channel DDR overclocking in mind?" Dont' kid yourself. These packs might be nice because of their slight cost benefit of just getting two separate sticks, but I would truly bet anyone in here $100 that there is 0 difference between the sticks in these and the sticks they sell separately, other than the name.

Any takers?

Originally posted by: Achilles97
What do you mean by wait a week or two?

He means, spot prices for RAM recently dropped to the same that it costs to manufacturer them. In a week or two, this will have fully changed street prices. Wait a week or two and then buy.

BTW, Geil also now offers two sticks of RAM packaged together. They're cheaper than Corsair, and I've read many good things about them. I'm getting two sticks; I'll let you know how it goes, but at Directron, the Ultra Platinum PC3500 was on backorder.