1x1024 or 2x512???

D

Dewmeister

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Aug 29, 2006
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Hi I'm new here, I'm putting a new system together in the near future, and I'd like some advice on RAM

I'm considering the following two options:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227088
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2205990&sku=O261-9014

Obviously the first one is a bit cheaper. They seem like comparable products, no? Of course, I would imagine that having it all on one stick would be slower than spreading it out over two, but I'm interested in knowing how much slower. Would it really be worth the extra $70 to get it on two sticks? 1000MHz seems so fast anyway. Opinions?

Thank you!
 
It depends... pure performance 2x512 is better becasue they can run dual channel...

but 1024 allows you to get another one later, if same one, then you could have dual channel then and that would be best..

I got my OCZ DDR500 1gb sticks at different times because they were like $150 each and i was only making $9 hr... so it took a while to get both...
 
I thought I read on the memory FAQ that you could run 2x512 and a 1gig stick and still get dual channel to work. Im not sure if this is applicable since that part of the article was still talking about n-force2 boards on skt A. It would be cool if an someone who had tried this could clear this up. Also If the OP plans on overclocking im not sure if this would hurt overclocking/timings greatly.
 
I would say get the 1 gig now and get another later but you might have a hard time finding the exact stick to dual channel in the future.
 
socket A with Nforce 2 ultra = you can run the two 512mb of ram (if their on the same tier) in dual channel, the other 1gb will run, well, however it wants to, but it will force the Memory controller into a T2 opperation.

so if all you plan on ever getting is this ammount of ram, 2X512s. if you plan on upgrading, a single 1gb stick.

here is a review that tests four 512 sticks,two 512sticks, and two 1gb sticks. as you can see, the two 512mb sticks often outperformed the four 512s. this is because of the command teir opperation, 3 or more sticks forces the memory controller into a T2 op. T1 has traditionally been faster.

mind you, all bets are off on AM2s memory controller. they had to change it and i dont know if performance was effected.

you gotta remember the differance between your two possibillities is theoretical, and very very small.
 
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