Which to choose?

[DaveRo]

Hi,

I'm building a new system that will absolutely require more than 1gb and I was wondering what are the pros and cons for going either 4x512 or 2x1024? The question is more about the technical aspects as I know that the 4x512 solution will be cheaper and the 2x1024 will leave me room for future upgrades. BTW, the mobos that I'm currently considering are the Asus P4S800D-E and the P4C800-E Deluxe.

 

[DaveRo]

bump

 

[Ages120]

It's a lot easier to find performance 512mb sticks, although if you need more then a gigabyte right now down the road you might be wishing you had the extra slot. What are you gonna be doing? I bet 4 would perform better if the chipset can run quad channel but I don't know enough about memory controllers.

 

[AristoV300]

Well if you are leaving room for upgrades go with 2 x 1024, even though 2 gigs is alot RAM. Just I know that the p4c800-e has a problem with 4 gigs if that is what you would plan to upgrade to. Only downfall is it is difficult to find good memory in that size. Much easier to find dual kits of 2x 512. The only other downfall to 4 dimms is lowering your overclock, but I guess you are not doing any of that.

 

[Tostada]

You can get 2X 512MB PC3200 OCZ EL Platinum CL 2 for $230.

You can get 1X 1024MB PC3200 OCZ Performance CL 3 for $262.

1024MB sticks are more expensive and slower. I've never seen 1024MB faster than CL 3. The only reason to get it is if you actually think you'll be putting more than 2 GB in that board at some time.

 

[Tostada]

My bad... OCZ makes 1024MB PC3200 CL 2.5.

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/OCZ_DDR_PC-3200_Platinum_Enhanced_Bandwidth

Pretty nice...

 

[DaveRo]

Well, it's like this. Now the wallet talks so I'm leaning towards the 4x512 solution. But looking back, with every single computer that I bought in the past 15 years at one point or another I wished that I had more memory but never had the space.

Now, just another quick related question that doesn't warrant a new thread. At one point I considered going with an A64 and the Asus K8V SE Deluxe but I've heard people complain about memory problems. Is there any truth behind this? Would I encounter problems using two 1gb DIMMs?

By the way, the system will be used mostly for print production where I constantly use files that are larger than 1gb. Heavy multitasking is also involved.

 

[DaveRo]

One last bump for the second question I posted above.

 

[DaveRo]

Bump, anyone?

Now, just another quick related question that doesn't warrant a new thread. At one point I considered going with an A64 and the Asus K8V SE Deluxe but I've heard people complain about memory problems. Is there any truth behind this? Would I encounter problems using two 1gb DIMMs?

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: DaveRo
Well, it's like this. Now the wallet talks so I'm leaning towards the 4x512 solution. But looking back, with every single computer that I bought in the past 15 years at one point or another I wished that I had more memory but never had the space.

Now, just another quick related question that doesn't warrant a new thread. At one point I considered going with an A64 and the Asus K8V SE Deluxe but I've heard people complain about memory problems. Is there any truth behind this? Would I encounter problems using two 1gb DIMMs?

By the way, the system will be used mostly for print production where I constantly use files that are larger than 1gb. Heavy multitasking is also involved.

I wouldn't have thought that you'd have the need for more than 2Gb RAM, but then again, your needs may grow. Personally, I'd have the two 1Gb sticks to give you some flexibility. You can always use them on a newer board, assuming that DDR-1 is still around at that time, of course

 

[Bad Dude]

It depends on how often you upgrade. If you upgrade often then go with the 512MB sticks. If not then the 1Gb sticks. As for the Asus K8V SE Deluxe, you should not have any problem running two 1Gb sticks but problems might occurs when running 3 1Gb sticks b/c using the third slot is always unstable. I don't even know why they put the slot there and we can't even use it. Maybe the third slot is for when you running 3 sticks single sided RAM.