1x 1gb stick vs. 2x 512mb sticks

[Gigantopithecus]

I guess I've just been using 2x 512mb in builds for so long I never even really noticed that the price of one high quality 1gb ram stick is now comparable to two high quality 512mb ram sticks.

With the Athlon 64, is there an advantage to running two 512mb sticks in dual channel? Or does it make more sense to use a single 1gb stick? Or is there really not a noticeable difference in overall performance?

 

[BlacKJesuS]

i know you cant run 4x512 at pc3200 :\

 

[suicidalpigeon]

dual channel would be kind of noticable for games, apps wont probably see as much. overall you wont see a huge diff between the two channels. plus, with 1gb stick you can have a smoother upgrade path.

 

[Losty]

hey...! sorry if i'm just hijacking your thread... but ... if i upgrade my 512 to 1gb would it make a difference...? and what if I get a 1gb and put it with my 512 ... i'tll still do pc3200 right? goes down only if you use all 4?

thanks

Losty

 

[Gigantopithecus]

512mb to 1gb is a huge difference. If you have two different sticks, they run at the slowest speed (ie. if one is 2700 & one is 3200, they both run at 2700, but if they're both 3200, then there's no loss).

 

[vikingblade]

Ive been wondering the same thing. im planning to upgrade ram etc.. soon. im going 1gig total, however id like to be able to upgrade to 2gig in the near future.

so, same question, do i grab a single 1gig stick now or 2 512 sticks. if 2 512's, can i upgrade to 2gig by adding another 2 512 sticks.

looking for the best possible gaming but cant afford 2gigs now.

 

[w00t]

get one stick so you can upgrade to 2gigs.

 

[sgentry6]

Due to larger addressing space needed for the 1 gig stick, 2 sticks should offer better performance. If you want to go to 2 gigs down the road though I suggest the 1 gig stick.

 

[w00t]

the amd65 ddr memory controller does not support more than two sticks of ram therfore you need to get two 1gig sticks if you want to upgrade to two gigs.

 

[BlacKJesuS]

^ lies

 

[vikingblade]

OK...Im gonna be using the EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra motherboard.

does this motherboard allow me to use 4-512 sticks or no?

If No, and i have to go with a 1gig stick, will this not work as well for gaming?