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    2 x 512mb; Why???

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Icebreaker, Dec 1, 2006.

  1. Icebreaker

    Icebreaker Notebook Guru

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    I´ve been looking around for a new notebook and noticed that most laptops have only 1GB of ram and the vast majority has 2x512mb and no slot free. That means people have to throw away ram when they want to upgrade (buying a 1GB stick for an upgrade of 512mb; 1GB to 1.5GB for example.)

    I just don´t get why the manufacturers are selling laptops with 2 512mb modules instead of 1x1GB, when the prices are pretty similar, if not the same.

    With Vista, 1GB is the absolutely min for surfing etc and anything less than 2GB for some work won´t cut it.

    I´m going to stick to XP pro and maybe OSX and Linux (no Vista), but it just make little sense to get anything less than 2 GB of ram, because it brings so much benefit considering that it isn´t so expensive at all.
     
    Icebreaker, Dec 1, 2006
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  2. ajfink

    ajfink Notebook Deity

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    Using two 512MB sticks will give you better performance than one 1GB stick. When using two sticks of the same type, they operate in dual-channel, which allows them to work faster and, thus, better.

    I have 2x1GB sticks in my notebook.
     
    ajfink, Dec 1, 2006
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  3. forsage

    forsage Notebook Enthusiast

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    It's easier for a company to buy a bunch of 512 Mb sticks and sort them between models with 512 Mb and 1 Gb RAM. Rather than buy a specific number of 1 gb and 512 Gb plates. IMO
     
    forsage, Dec 1, 2006
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  4. forsage

    forsage Notebook Enthusiast

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    I meant 512 Mb, not Gb of course
     
    forsage, Dec 1, 2006
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  5. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    It's cheaper for the manufacturer and they only have to order 1 part to fulfill two needs. Dual channel is probably another (very secondary) reason. For the very reasons you mentioned it's better to buy the bare minimum of RAM possible and upgrade yourself. Some of the better manufacturers will only put 1x1GB in some of their models, or at least make it an option.
     
    vespoli, Dec 1, 2006
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  6. Jalf

    Jalf Comrade Santa

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    2x512MB is typcially cheaper than 1x1GB.
    Also, 2x512MB can (depending on motherboard) allow you to run dualchannel memory, which can (on some system) be a significant memory boost.

    But the lower price is definitely the main reason.
     
    Jalf, Dec 1, 2006
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  7. Icebreaker

    Icebreaker Notebook Guru

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    Well, there aren´t many models around with only 512mb ram, but it makes sense for the manufacturers to buy only one type of sticks and put it in all models. However, the high end lines carry only 2x1GB sticks so the manufacturers are buying a lot of 1GB sticks already...

    Dual channel is not reported to bring so much benefit and the latest chipsets are said to be able to run different types of ram sticks in dual channel mode, so the pairs don´t need to be the same. This is all just a hear-say. :)
     
    Icebreaker, Dec 1, 2006
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