2 × 1024 or 1 × 2048

I got one simple question for you guys, wich is better the 2 × 1024 or the 1 × 2048 and why?

Thanks a lot

 

1x2048 is better if you want to upgrade to a total of 4 gigs later...

 

Nice time to buy memory. Go for the 2GB SODIMM and pair it with whatever you want, whenever you want.

 

Go to our Tech Deals section...we have a HOT RAM DEALS sticky where you can get 4GB for about $200. That's better than either option

 

2x1024 due to Dual Channel. If you go 1x2048 the RAM will only run at half speed.

 

Mantiah,

You should get a pair of sticks instead of one. For instance, 2x1024 or 2x2048. If you get a matched pair of RAM sticks, then you can have Dual Channel (128 bit memory bus) instead of Single Channel (64 bit memory bus). This is especially good if you have integrated graphics or also a TurboCache or HyperMemory enabled card. Also, if you are using a 32 bit os, you will not see all 4 gigs of ram due to 32 bit os limitations. 64 bit OSes see 128 Gigs.

-J.B.

 

3GB>2GB dual channel. So if you plan to go higher than the 2 sometime in the future, then the 1x2048 is better. Otherwise go 2x1024

 

I have tried various RAM combinations and couldn't see the claimed benefits of dual channel. My results are in this post.

However, if you have integrated graphics then you may see some improvement in graphics performance if you have some RAM in each slot, but a cheap 512MB module in the second slot would be enough.

John

 

2 x 1024mb because it's cheaper at the moment and unless you're running some insanely memory intensive program, you won't 4 GB Ram anyways.

 

what laptop does the OP have? we don;t even know if his laptop can use 4GB of ram.

 

If your using a Santa Rosa notebook, and use one module of whatever density, then the processor may becoe somewhat startved of data flow, because the notebook has no dual channel functionality. This is only true when the one module you use is 667 MHz or 533 MHz, and whn you are using both processor and memory intensive applications.

 

hi,

i've just got one 2gb stick of DDR 800/PC6400 with laptop im getting. what would be the best option for ram upgrades, as i would like to fill the second ram slot up. i would really like to obtain this dual channel feature...without spending much.

i understand that its better to have the same brand and type of ram for both sticks to possible avoid issues?...but would it work with different ones?

im thinking of buying cheaply, just your current cheap, generic 1x 1GB stick of DDR2 667/PC5300. will this enable dual channel?

....will it even work? im just concerned it will have issues because it will be a differnt brand, different size, different type...the only thing thats common is its sodimm

thanks!

 

is the ddr800 worth getting over the 667??

 

I don't think laptops are readin the 800 yet, so getting it you will be bottlenecked by the mobo (is it the mobo?). So 667 is fine. However to run dual channel the two modules have to be the same.

 

I second the 2X1GB upgrade over the 1X2GB for the dual channel. Just got my ram upgraded to enable the dual channel and everything is snappier.

 

a single 2gb sodimm would be better if you plan to get more than 2gb of ram, but if not then 2x1gb is better since its cheaper and will offer ever so slightly more performance.

dual channel (wich is largly over rated but still a free performance boost) and also single 1 dimms will have tighter latency timings than 2gb ones.

Maybe 1-3 fps diffrence between the setups but nothing you will notice, benchmarks will show the diffrence tho.

Id recomend 3gb+ for vista its showing some nice gains esp if you have a turbocache gpu. But for XP 2gb is a nice sweetspot.

 

so you guys think matching sticks (brand, model, etc) of a 2 gb stick and a 1 gb stick would be a good setup for 32 bit vista?? And do others agree that even the newest santa rosa notebooks can't benefit from the ddr800 sticks??

 

I agree. You might see a 2-3% performance improvement with DC but I wouldn;t call it a boost and it is nothing you will notice without using specific benchmarking software.

 

DDR800 will be useless for the newest santa rosa notebooks. pairings two identical dimms is better than pairing two different sized ones.

however, pairing two dimms, same size and specs, different brands IS still better than pairing two dims, same brand and different sizes.

 

i was just trying to decide if i wanted to go for the almost maxed out 3 gigs and worry about not being the same size ram sticks, or just sticking with 2 gigs and having the fuzzy feeling of having the same sized sticks. Which would offer better performance??

 

3GB, would give you more of a boost than 2gb even if they are dual channel.