Which is faster, 512mbx2 or 1gbx1 RAM?

mrchainsaw · 05-17-2005, 10:32 PM

I know I want to get 1gb RAM, but I was wondering should I get it by buying two 512 pieces or one 1gb. It seems like 512x2 would be faster because my computer could be using two separate sticks instead of taking everything from one. But, if I get one stick of 1gb, then I could put more RAM in later. If that's the only upside though, I think I'll stick with 512x2.

ripken2004 · 05-17-2005, 10:46 PM

get 2x512 and dual them

[-0MEGA-] · 05-17-2005, 11:41 PM

downside of getting 2x512's is that if your motherboard only allows supports 2 memory sticks, then your stuck with 1GB, while thats enough for most people, but if you wanted to upgrade, you would have to get rid of one of the 512 sticks.

Bobo · 05-18-2005, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrchainsaw

I know I want to get 1gb RAM, but I was wondering should I get it by buying two 512 pieces or one 1gb. It seems like 512x2 would be faster because my computer could be using two separate sticks instead of taking everything from one. But, if I get one stick of 1gb, then I could put more RAM in later. If that's the only upside though, I think I'll stick with 512x2.

Is this an OEM system? If so, get the 1GB module. Most (if not all) OEM systems run the RAM at a slower speed if all the slots are filled up.

If it is not OEM, it shouldn't matter, unless you have dual capacity. If so, then do that.

jeffyboy · 05-18-2005, 01:01 AM

If your motherboard supports dual-DDR... it would definately be a tad faster to have 2 sticks of 512.

Jeff
at yourtechonline.com

**Praetor** · 05-22-2005, 02:25 PM

Quote:

get 2x512 and dual them

What happens if your setup doesnt support dual channel?

In the case where it doesnt support dual channel it is usually slower to have two sticks

Quote:

Is this an OEM system? If so, get the 1GB module. Most (if not all) OEM systems run the RAM at a slower speed if all the slots are filled up.

Only if theres more than two DIMM slots.

Bobo · 05-22-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praetor

Only if theres more than two DIMM slots.

Nonono, it does it if there are 2. My computer does, I am absolutely positive.

**Praetor** · 05-22-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Nonono, it does it if there are 2. My computer does, I am absolutely positive

Thats because your settings are off or you've not read the mobo manual where it says restrictions on DS/SS memory

Bobo · 05-22-2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praetor

Thats because your settings are off or you've not read the mobo manual where it says restrictions on DS/SS memory

I have no setting or manual. We went over this before:
Change RAM speed

I remember that thread all too well

But let's get back on topic....

**Praetor** · 05-24-2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

I have no setting or manual. We went over this before:

Yeah and as such you should remember

Quote:

"If you populate N-1 DIMMS where N is the total number available on the board, then your RAM will run at the maximum speed (in this case DDR400), if you populate N DIMMS then it will run at the second highest memory speed"

. The Venice cored processors i believe have fixed that issue however.

05-17-2005, 10:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
mrchainsaw Bronze Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: IL Posts: 25	Which is faster, 512mbx2 or 1gbx1 RAM? I know I want to get 1gb RAM, but I was wondering should I get it by buying two 512 pieces or one 1gb. It seems like 512x2 would be faster because my computer could be using two separate sticks instead of taking everything from one. But, if I get one stick of 1gb, then I could put more RAM in later. If that's the only upside though, I think I'll stick with 512x2.

05-17-2005, 11:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,082	downside of getting 2x512's is that if your motherboard only allows supports 2 memory sticks, then your stuck with 1GB, while thats enough for most people, but if you wanted to upgrade, you would have to get rid of one of the 512 sticks. __________________ Desktop // Laptop Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.0GHz // Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 // Intel PM45 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 // 512MB GDDR3 9800M GTS 4GB (2x 2GB) DDR2 940 // 4GB DDR3 800 750GB SATAII w/32MB // 200GB SATAII 7200RPM Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 21391 // 9179

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05-17-2005, 10:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
ripken2004 Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 534	get 2x512 and dual them

05-18-2005, 01:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
jeffyboy New Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 8	If your motherboard supports dual-DDR... it would definately be a tad faster to have 2 sticks of 512. Jeff at yourtechonline.com