What would be faster?

[Zucarita9000]

I want to get 2GB of ram for my new rig. But due to the fact that I'm running low on cash, I'll get 1GB now and another GB in a month or so. I was wondering if I should get a single 1GB dimm now or get two 512MB sticks and run them in dual-channel.

I've been reading a few posts about the subject, and noticed that some people are stating that using four dimms (PC3200 DDR400, or 200MHz) at the same time will force the motherboard to lower the memory bus, as using two 400MHz dimms per channel is not standards-compliant.

So what should I do? I would think that the right way to do 2GB of ram is using 1GB stick per channel, and not 2 512MB per channel.

FYI, I dont' play games. Just Photoshop and heavy multitasking.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

If you will get another gig in a month or so then definitely go with the single 1 GB stick.

 

[Zucarita9000]

This is from Kingston's website:

Virtually any configuration up to 4GB can be reached using any combination of Kingston's 128, 256, 512MB, and 1GB modules.

So what's the deal here? Their basically saying that is OK to use all four slots. It's a shame, as the 1GB stick is like $270 while two 512MB sticks are $190.

 

[cherrycoke11178]

It is always faster to use one stick rather than two equalling the same amount because the cpu only has to access one bank instead of two. How much faster, you probably wouldn't notice, we are talking ns.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Zucarita9000
This is from Kingston's website:

Virtually any configuration up to 4GB can be reached using any combination of Kingston's 128, 256, 512MB, and 1GB modules.

So what's the deal here? Their basically saying that is OK to use all four slots. It's a shame, as the 1GB stick is like $270 while two 512MB sticks are $190.

thoes prices seem a bot off, you can get a 1GB stick for around 200$ PC3200, and 2x512s for 150$

id go with 1GB noe and another GIG later

 

[TopAce]

Originally posted by: cherrycoke11178
It is always faster to use one stick rather than two equalling the same amount because the cpu only has to access one bank instead of two. How much faster, you probably wouldn't notice, we are talking ns.

Actually that is completly wrong. Putting Two DIMMS and run them in dual channel will actually speed up your PC.

 

[ts3433]

How much, though, depends on CPU--it's been shown to make a very small difference (if at all noticeable without benchmarks) on AXPs and A64s, but more bandwith-dependent architectures like the P4 benefit considerably from it.

Since the OP plans to get another 1 GB very soon, and will probably be ready for more RAM upgrades with his current system, I also recommend a 1 GB DIMM now and another identical one later.

 

[TopAce]

I do too agree that he should get 1 GB now and 1 GB later. I was just posting accurate information for a inaccurate post, so a person who was reading this didn't get the wring idea!

Ace

 

[Zucarita9000]

Thanks a lot for the replies.

 

[V00D00]

IMO the very small performance gain is not worth the price.

 

[mkruer]

Try this; the question you should be asking for the performance is which GB modules support T1 timing, this is where you will notice the difference.

On an Athlon 64 going from 2 to 1 channel could be like loosing a speed grade in certain application, however going form T1 to T2 timing levels WILL BE a drop in performance across the board. So what you should be looking for in GB modules that support the more aggressive timing of 2.5-3-3-5-T1. So far I have not found anyone that can answer this question on this board, as apparent in this thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...1136&enterthread=y

You may think that its ok to go ahead and get 2x512MB dims, but you still will run into the timing issues if you go to a second set of 2x512MB dims. The reason why is because once you go to four banks of DIM because of the added latency will automatically be set to T2 timing, and there to my knowledge there is no work aground for this, no matter how fast of ram you have.

So it ends up being if you want performance from 2GB or memory it comes down to only one option; You need to get 1GB models that support T1 timing levels.

2x512 (T1) = Performance
4x512 (T1) = Performance drop because you are using 4 dim slots.

Sucks don?t it.