Quick question about RAM configuration

[Gigi]

I've always thought it was better to have one larger stick of RAM vs. two smaller ones (e.g., 1GB vs. 2x512MB) since you are leaving one slot free for upgrading. However, lately, I've been reading comments about the speed benefits of having multiple channels. So then, what is the preferred practice? Thanks.

[mbg]

I've always thought it was better to have one larger stick of RAM vs. two smaller ones (e.g., 1GB vs. 2x512MB) since you are leaving one slot free for upgrading. However, lately, I've been reading comments about the speed benefits of having multiple channels. So then, what is the preferred practice? Thanks.

A matched pair of identical modules is best for dual channel. That's why some companies sell the pairs as a unit. You might get away with using two single modules with the same specs without buying a bundled pair, but why bother?

I think most dual channel boards have 4 slots, so you're not losing the ability to upgrade by using 2 slots.

[Gigi]

A matched pair of identical modules is best for dual channel. That's why some companies sell the pairs as a unit. You might get away with using two single modules with the same specs without buying a bundled pair, but why bother?

I think most dual channel boards have 4 slots, so you're not losing the ability to upgrade by using 2 slots.


Thanks for the info. Are most motherboards now dual channel boards? Sorry for a noob question, but I am thinking of upgrading my desktop and laptop, and want to make educated purchases.

Also, then, back to my original question, is it still better to use two sticks vs. one?

[terrybear]

Thanks for the info. Are most motherboards now dual channel boards? Sorry for a noob question, but I am thinking of upgrading my desktop and laptop, and want to make educated purchases.

Also, then, back to my original question, is it still better to use two sticks vs. one?


I would say 95% of the boards out there are dual channel based chipsets with acceptions to some of the via,sis & a few others that have intergrated video onboard. Like the Via KM800/900 series I believe is single channel chipsets with intergraded video which is ment for low end machines say for like a business or like for a place that is like a web cafe.

As for your other question all depends .... IF ya got a dual channel board then ya should be using dual channel kits or 2 moduals of the same size & spec ( 2 x 512, 2 x 1 gig., 2 x 2 gig ect. ) on the board ... but if you have a single channel solution like 1 of those KM800 boased chipset boards then 1 large modual of 1 or 2 gigs in size is the best choice then.

As the general rule of thumb is when using more then 1 modual of ram in single channel solutions you are causing the latencies in your systems overall preformance to rise or take longer as your cpu has to access more than 1 modual of ram for data or ect from it. This also applies to dual channel chipsets as well but not as severly penalized as single channel cause moduals are moved into 2 access points as apposed to 4 with a single channel solution.

Well hope that helps you some .... :)

[BeaverLiquor]

performance diff between dual channel vs single is like 3-5%, get the larger single stick.

[Gigi]

Thanks for the info, terrybear. Ok, just to clarify then...a dual channel board is not the same as a board with two RAM slots right? I think that was the cause of my misunderstanding before. I had assumed they were the same but now it appears they are not related at all.

[akito925]

Thanks for the info. Are most motherboards now dual channel boards? Sorry for a noob question, but I am thinking of upgrading my desktop and laptop, and want to make educated purchases.

Also, then, back to my original question, is it still better to use two sticks vs. one?

al depends on the age of your motherboard, and the age of your laptop..

[terrybear]

Thanks for the info, terrybear. Ok, just to clarify then...a dual channel board is not the same as a board with two RAM slots right? I think that was the cause of my misunderstanding before. I had assumed they were the same but now it appears they are not related at all.


No there are dual channel boards out there that only have 2 memory slots in them matx / sff pc's only have 2 slots in them. Again if you have or know the motherboard your talking about it would help then.

[Deimos]

Thanks for the info, terrybear. Ok, just to clarify then...a dual channel board is not the same as a board with two RAM slots right? I think that was the cause of my misunderstanding before. I had assumed they were the same but now it appears they are not related at all.

Look at your computer power supply. Notice that there is one or more cables with connectors along the way, that plug into hard drives, optical drives etc. Each cable is like a channel. And the connectors are like the memory slots.

More channels is foremost preferable because its seperate lane and doubles bandwidth. (think 4 lane highway vs 2 lane highway).

More memory slots are added on motherboards to allow users to add more memory to the motherboards. Bare minimum is 1 memory slot per channel. Other than that, the number of memory slots and memory channels is not inter-related.

More bandwidth doesn't always help much, as someone already pointed out, but is the prefered option.

Given a dual channel motherboard with 4 memory slots, by far the prefered solution is two memory modules, one per each channel. And this is also usually the cheapest option. Smaller memory modules cost disproportionally more. Just as very very large memory modules also cost disproportionally more. Installing 4x256MB instead of 2x512MB, not only makes upgrade difficult (requiring removal of old memory modules), but also typically requires using slower memory speed.

[Gigi]

terrybear and Deimos, thanks for the clarification. Actually, I am not concerned about my current setup hence the limited info I provided. I am actually looking ahead to purchasing a new system (both desktop and laptop) and was wondering how I should configure the RAM. Apologies if my use of the term "upgrade" implied upgrading my current system.

[Gee]

Always go Dual Channel if given the option.

Hell, I think it is better to go full bank. If your intentions is to get 4 Gigs of RAM, populate all 4 banks. Instead of just two banks.

[Gigi]

Always go Dual Channel if given the option.

Hell, I think it is better to go full bank. If your intentions is to get 4 Gigs of RAM, populate all 4 banks. Instead of just two banks.

So do you mean, if I wanted 2 GB in total, get 4X512MB NOT 2X1GB?

[mbg]

So do you mean, if I wanted 2 GB in total, get 4X512MB NOT 2X1GB?

I don't see an advantage to doing that... in fact, I'd rather keep a couple of slots open (OTOH, I wouldn't expect to go over 2GB for what I do)

[terrybear]

So do you mean, if I wanted 2 GB in total, get 4X512MB NOT 2X1GB?

no in that instance if your wanting 2 gig ... ya want 2 x 1 gb moduals then cause if ya when 4 512's it would increase some latencies in your systems preformance.

[Gigi]

OK, thanks very much guys. :)