Which is better: 4 x 256 or 2 x 512?

[bgray77]

I'm buying memory for a dual channel DDR Intel board. Which would run faster: 4 sticks of 256 MB or 2 sticks of 512 MB?

 

[niwi7]

considering dual channel--- 2 x 512 hence the name DUAL = 2

 

[bgray77]

you can still run dual channel with 2 pairs, right?

 

[Corporate Thug]

yeah but why take up the slots?

 

[jfall]

get 2 x 512.. save the room for future upgrades

 

[Nebor]

Read the anandtech quest for the holy grail (memory). It tells us that by populating all 4 slots, you get better performance.

 

[jim1976]

I think that we are talking about minor differences here.
2x512 will be just fine

 

[bjc112]

sometimes can hinder the ability to overclock... But doubtful

Not always but, the more sticks you add, the more chances you have on one stick not reaching the same speed/timings ( different brands of course )

2x512

 

[batmang]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Read the anandtech quest for the holy grail (memory). It tells us that by populating all 4 slots, you get better performance.

werd.

its kinda like this. say your a farmer, (heh), you have 2 leet ox..... one is bound to get tired and lazy. if you have 4 decent ox, at least with one tired you still have 3 going. quantity is better.

 

[jim1976]

I'll go with the farmer then...

 

[Spac3d]

I don't think you will see a significance difference... so I would go with the cheaper option.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i think the 512 will be cheaper AND you can upgrade in the future

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: jim1976
I'll go with the farmer then...

Why? What if you want to add an extra stick in the future? You will be stuck.. It's really not the most viable option.

 

[jim1976]

Thats exactly my point if he put 4x256 he will fill the slots but 2x512 will leave him space for future upgrade.But then im not an expert...

 

[bgray77]

Thanks for all the input.
I'll be going with 2 x 512MB for the sole reason of being able to upgrade in the future.

 

[dmw16]

I'd say 2x512. I have never heard of a performance difference and even if there was one it would be meaningless points in some synthetic benchmark. Save room for future upgrades. Cuz you you ever wanna add memory and you go w/ 4 sticks your gonna lose 512MB of RAM before you upgrade anyhting...
-doug

 

[billyjak]

If you go with 2x512 is there a chance you'll add more later, most people don't.
Chances are you'll uprade your mobo before that happens.
Better performance was with all 4 slots taken.

If your definately going to add more later, get the 512

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: batmang

Originally posted by: Nebor
Read the anandtech quest for the holy grail (memory). It tells us that by populating all 4 slots, you get better performance.

werd.

its kinda like this. say your a farmer, (heh), you have 2 leet ox..... one is bound to get tired and lazy. if you have 4 decent ox, at least with one tired you still have 3 going. quantity is better.

This is a really poor analogy. Memory is not like an ox. Memory will only run as fast as the slowest component.

 

[UlricT]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: batmang

Originally posted by: Nebor
Read the anandtech quest for the holy grail (memory). It tells us that by populating all 4 slots, you get better performance.

werd.

its kinda like this. say your a farmer, (heh), you have 2 leet ox..... one is bound to get tired and lazy. if you have 4 decent ox, at least with one tired you still have 3 going. quantity is better.

This is a really poor analogy. Memory is not like an ox. Memory will only run as fast as the slowest component.

well... you could call them oxen, but they would all be tied to the same yoke, meaning they will have to plod along with the tired oX

 

[440BX]

I,d say 512 so you can get more ram in later..I am in the same boat for a new comp.I was thinking of getting one stick of 512 and another identical one the following month.Will it work ok with just one stick at a slower speed?