[DDR2] 4x1GB vs 2x2GB?

[Tech God]

Well after reading a lot of sites i am starting to regret my choice. I heard there is a significant difference between 2x2GB sticks and 4x1GB sticks... how big is the difference?

i currently got 2 dual channel kits (2x1GB) to total 4 gb, it is all same brand and speed i got 2 identical kits, im just worried that im losing a lot of performance.

[splicer707]

I had 4x1GB DDR2-800 sticks in my PC. Now I had 2x2GB DDR2-800 and I can't tell any performance difference.

My Windows Performance Score for RAM is still a 5.9. :)

[Emil Valsson]

I dont think there is any performance issue as long as the memory sticks have the same specs. Having 2x2GB leaves you with the option of adding 4GB more later on. :)

[Tech God]

ah ok great, and is there a major speed difference between 5-5-5-15 and 5-5-5-18? =X

[splicer707]

ah ok great, and is there a major speed difference between 5-5-5-15 and 5-5-5-18? =X

Not unless you can count in Milliseconds. :D

[Raa]

More like nanoseconds ;)

[TEX4S]

More like nanoseconds ;)

exactly

there isnt a noticeable performance difference, but there is a stability issue . especially if your OC-ing.

not to mention - some motherboards simply get flakey when all DIMM slots are being used.

[Skulltrail-old]

exactly

there isnt a noticeable performance difference, but there is a stability issue . especially if your OC-ing.

not to mention - some motherboards simply get flakey when all DIMM slots are being used.

Depends on the motherboard and manufacturer. Stock motherboards (like the **** rags you get from HP) will have stability issues when the maximum memory capacity of the motherboard is reached...

[TEX4S]

Depends on the motherboard and manufacturer. Stock motherboards (like the **** rags you get from HP) will have stability issues when the maximum memory capacity of the motherboard is reached...

yeah, I know that some mobos will get flakey when capacity is being used as far as amount of RAM, I was referring to all DIMMS being used regardless of size.

I know its mainly the crap ones -- but lets face it - most people dont demand ASUS in their comps

[Tech God]

yeah, I know that some mobos will get flakey when capacity is being used as far as amount of RAM, I was referring to all DIMMS being used regardless of size.

I know its mainly the crap ones -- but lets face it - most people dont demand ASUS in their comps

Actually i have an Asus P5K :p

[CPressland]

Actually i have an Asus P5K :p

Keep the BIOS up to date and you'll have no issues ;)

I've got the P5Q Deluxe. Brilliant board.

[Richard Hammond]

Doesnt make diddly squat bit off difference, The size of the ram affects performance more than the speed of the ram

[Julius Caro]

I would go 2x2GB. Some people say some boards struggle to get the lowest timings when all slots are occupied. But it shouldn't be a problem if you don't tighten the timings and use the same sticks

[MMaster23]

the only reason why I would suggest 2x2GB over 4x1GB is because something that's called Full Loading.

Slighter older systems (socket 939 etc) have some issues running 4 DDR sticks at very high speeds. When the motherboard (or rather the BIOS) think it won't be capable of running it smoothly, it would downclock the RAM bus (and sometimes even the FSB clock) thus losing performance.

However most (modern) systems don't have these problems and don't care about Full Loading.

Also .. should Full Loading occur in your system, you can overwrite the system to use the preferred clock speed by setting the RAM speeds by hand.

That said .. I run 4x1GB just fine.. and so could you..

[gwai lo]

Actually, it isn't just "cheap" boards that would have issues with 4 DIMMs, although it's more likely that they will. All four DIMMs filled could affect overclockability, additionally the same amount of throughput is gained with 2?2GB really so you just end up stressing the MCH more for nothing.

[ViperAFK]

I have a really cheap biostar that was only $49 and I run 4x1GB with no problems. I do agree with 2x2gb however, no reason to get all 1 gb unless you already have some 1 gb sticks (Which is why i have 4x1gb) 2x2 gives you better upgrade options as you have slots open.

[+shift. MVC]

If getting entirely new sticks of RAM go 2x2GB, reason? As previously stated, some boards don't run as well with all DIMM slots filled.

If upgrading from old RAM (I assume 2x1GB) then just get another 2x1GB dual channel kit (of preferably the same RAM). Be prepared for the scenario that your motherboard may not like having all it's DIMM's filled, and that your overclockability of your processor will be decreased.