Dual Architecture

[SteveThePirate]

With Dual Architecture, the transfer rate will increase from 64 bits/sec to 128 bits/sec; however, I do not understand if the amount of Ram is still considered to be 2 gigs(if there are 2 one gig sticks) or if it consolidates it to say there is only 1 gig now. Also, if 2 one gig sticks transfering at 128bits/sec is better than 3 one gig sticks transfering at 64 bits/sec then what happens when there is a program that says minimum requirements are 3 gigs of ram? Does this mean that you have to take the slower transfer rate of 64 bits/sec or will the dual architecture step up and actually handle the situation as if there were say.. 4 gigs of ram being that there were originally 2 and the transfer speed is doubled?

thanks for any help!

Also, I appreciate the help but if you are just guessing or don't have a real strong grasp of the technology, please don't answer because I do not feel like being confused thanks!

 

[Cromewell]

With Dual Architecture, the transfer rate will increase from 64 bits/sec to 128 bits/sec; however, I do not understand if the amount of Ram is still considered to be 2 gigs(if there are 2 one gig sticks) or if it consolidates it to say there is only 1 gig now.

The amount of RAM in that case would be 2GB. By making the memory bus 128bits wide you are just adding a second module (a stick of memory has a 64bit wide bus) so to find the total RAM across the 2 channels just add up the amount of the individual sticks.

Also, if 2 one gig sticks transfering at 128bits/sec is better than 3 one gig sticks transfering at 64 bits/sec then what happens when there is a program that says minimum requirements are 3 gigs of ram? Does this mean that you have to take the slower transfer rate of 64 bits/sec or will the dual architecture step up and actually handle the situation as if there were say.. 4 gigs of ram being that there were originally 2 and the transfer speed is doubled?

It depends. In this case 3GB of RAM would be better if your system was regularly using more than 2GB because then you would be using less page file. If you aren't using more than 2GB than the 2GB of dual channel would be better because it's faster.

 

[SteveThePirate]

thanks, that is what I was looking for