Which memory config???

[MaxxuM]

Which memory configuration would offer better performance? I multitask a lot between IE, Photoshop 7, MS Word, AutoCAD and a few other minor programs. I typically will have 3-5 windows open at the same time. The board is an ASRock Dual SATA2 and the processor is an AMD 64 3200+ (Venice).

2 x 1GB DDR400
4 x 512Mb DDR400

Theoretically, I would imagine large programs like Photoshop would benefit from the 1Gb sticks, but as heavy as I am into multitasking often reaching the peak of available memory Dual-Channel would offer direct access to more modules meaning less of a bottleneck accessing different programs simultaneously. Am I just over thinking this?

 

[stevty2889]

2x1GB is better. With 4 sticks, you have to run at 2T. While it's not huge differance, it makes about a 3-5% differance. For my video encoding, I took a 7.5% hit when running 2T. Dual channel will have the same effect weather running 2 sticks or 4 sticks, but with 2 sticks you don't take the 2T performace hit.

 

[Sunrise089]

Agreed

 

[MaxxuM]

Thanks guys....