2 RAM Scenarios, what are the strengths/weaknesses?

[fr0th]

Setup 1 Dual Channel Interleaved:
Slot 1: 1GB
Slot 2: Nothing

Slot 3: 512MB
Slot 4: 512MB


Setup 2 Dual Channel Interleaved:
Slot 1: 1GB
Slot 2: Nothing

Slot 3: 1GB
Slot 4: Nothing

Right now I have the first setup and I'm wondering if its worth investing in 1 stick of 1GB. All of the ram is the same manufacturer and speed (G.Skill DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 timings.)

Does the second setup use the ram more efficiently? Are there overclocking issues using 2 sticks in the second channel like in first setup?

Thanks.

 

[tripleplay905]

Im guessing only the 1GB stick and one of the 512 sticks are running dual channel, and the other 512 stick is running single. I would go with two 1GB sticks in dual channel.

 

[Forceman]

I don't know if it would be better to dual channel the 512 sticks and let the 1 GB run by itself or not. Actually, I'm not sure if it is either all dual or all single - anyone know? Seems like it would be too complicated for two sticks to be running dual channel while a third stick was running single channel.

However, RAM is so cheap now it's probably worth investing in a 1 GB stick (or a 2 x 1 kit and sell the others).

 

[fr0th]

During my post test it does say Dual Channel Interleaved, so I assumed all sticks of ram were cooperating.