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What's better 3gb in single channel mode or 2gb in dual channel?

HeXploiT

HeXploiT

Diamond Member
So one of my sticks of crucial Ballistic pc2 8000 burned out on me. I have been so happy with this ram I'm going to purchase another identical set. This got me thinking however that if i use three sticks I'll have three gigs of ram but it won't run in dual channel mode which will be slower. So which is superior, 3gigs in single channel mode or 2gigs in dual channel mode?
 
On XP, aside from really RAM intensive games, the dual channel 2 GB would likely be a little faster.

But i'd still rather have 3 GB for a little smoother & no chance of stuttering.

On Vista, no contest, more RAM vs. faster RAM wins hands down.

Keep in mind on the majority of new Intel chipsets, 3 dimms will often run in asymmetric dual channel, or flex mode, so the performance hit is very small anyway.

I'd certainly vote for the 3 GB option.
 
asymmetric dual channel gives zero. And the problem with flex mode and a super fast game is, you have no control over where in memory windows will load the game, so ...
 
Originally posted by: Perry404
Originally posted by: nefariouscaine
run 3 gigs and RMA the bad stick with Crucial
Click to expand...

Bought it used. Don't have a receipt.
Click to expand...

well - this might be looked upon as under handed but I've not once had Crucial press the issue on where I've bought my sticks when i called them for an RMA

I don't tell them I got it used and I leave out the fact that I might have overclocked them - they've never made it an issue if I don't tell them - Just don't tell them anything

If you don't want the bad stick, I'll pay for shipping and take it off your hands 😛
 
thats strange, i have the same problem, have 3 x 1gb crucial sticks with 1 x 1gb dead and awaiting response from crucial for a RMA.

in CPU-Z memory tab, it says Channels # Dual. so does that mean i'm running 3 x 1gb in dual channel?
 
l - no, it means you're running in Intel's "flex mode", which is dual-channel for the paired region, and single-channel for the single-module region.

OP - Buy 2x512MB so you can run 3GB in dual channel; win/win.
 
so I want more Ram for gaming on Vista but screwd up and only got a 2 x 1 GB kit a couple of months ago. What would be the best route to go? I am kinda broke already.
 
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