Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

[bloodbrood]

I currently have 2 sticks of 512mb RAM and im going to upgrade to 2GB but which way should i go? which runs better 2 sticks of 1 GB or 4 sticks of 512 mb?

[imported_bigpappa]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

it would be more economical to get 2 more 512's, although having 2, 1gig sticks is cool...

[Sir. MatDef]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

I think for a p4 system it shouldn't matter how many sticks you have, so just get the 2x512mb ones.

[Umi.Ryuuzaki]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

Very little performance difference unless you're anal about 1T vs 2T thing. If your system can take 4x DDR sticks fine, then yes. Some systems though have issues about running 4xDDR400 sticks so check around for P4's, since I know it works fine only on AMD64 939's

[bloodbrood]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

my mobo has 2 more slots available so i guess ill fill those in. thanks for the help.

[imported_Wreck]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

Well the only problem is the strain on the memory controller. If you plan to overclock you will get less of an overclock wihth 4x512 in an Intel system.

[Espion]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

4x512 can't run at 1T on any current boards. Performance wise 1T is about equivilant to 10-15 extra MHz added on to your RAM speed. If you can afford it I'd say go for the 2x1GB then sell the other sticks. I was in a similar situation a few months ago, and wish I had gone the other route.

[imported_Wreck]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

4x512 can't run at 1T on any current boards. Performance wise 1T is about equivilant to 10-15 extra MHz added on to your RAM speed. If you can afford it I'd say go for the 2x1GB then sell the other sticks. I was in a similar situation a few months ago, and wish I had gone the other route.

Yes, 1T is possilbe with current AMD cores and new revision ATI and Nvidia chipsets. For instance the DFI expert/crossfire.

Thats also irrelevant with an Intel system.

[Espion]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

I know it's possible, but I'm just not sure about with 4 sticks.

[imported_Wreck]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

I know it's possible, but I'm just not sure about with 4 sticks.

Yes, with the boards I mentioned it is.....

[Flanker]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

Get 2 x 1GB. For one 4 x 512GB take up twice as much voltage. Another; 2T timings CAN be a pain in the ass when overclocking. Third; I'm not sure, but I don't think 4 x 512MB runs in Dual Channel.

[imported_Wreck]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

Get 2 x 1GB. For one 4 x 512GB take up twice as much voltage. Another; 2T timings CAN be a pain in the ass when overclocking. Third; I'm not sure, but I don't think 4 x 512MB runs in Dual Channel.

Yeah it does run in dual channel. And 4x ram won't overclock as well as 2x ram even at 2T. You are right about less voltage, and less strain on the memory controller.

Even the boards that support 4x ram at 1T will not allow you to overclock it at all. So you would be stuck at stock speed and timings ie: 400mhz @ 2-2-2-5 timings.

I recommend 2 x 1Gb regardless of whether it's on an Intel or AMD platform.

[DL86]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

Yes, definatly 2 x 1gb of ram. btw 4 x 512 mb on the older 939 athlon 64's has trouble running at ddr400 speeds. I experienced this problem with my 3500 and had to go back to the dealer to exchange my ram for 2 x 1 gb sticks. Till then my ram was running at ddr333 speeds.

[bloodbrood]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

my RAM is DDR and no im not going to overclock it. what do i do?

[Talus]

Re: Help: 4x512 or 2x1GB RAM?

I have 4x512 MB running with my Asus A8V Deluxe and A643000+

Seems to work well.