Add 2x1gb ram or replace with 2x2gb to make 4gb total

[Henrah]

I currently have 2gb (2x1gb) ram in the system in my sig. Would it be best to replace it with a 2x2gb kit or just add two more 1gb sticks of the same make to get 4gb total?

If it's best to replace it with a 2x2gb kit, which make/kit is the best?

I'm running Vista Ultimate 32-bit.

Cheers,
Henrah ^_^

 

[Blain]

"Best"?
Buy a 4GB kit...
$35 after rebate and it holds to the JEDEC voltage standard for DDR2.

 

[drizek]

Why not add two more 2GB stick for a total of 6?

There isn't much reason to not be using a 64bit OS anymore. I'm not completely sure how the license works, but I'm pretty sure Ultimate lets you use both 32bit and 64 bit.

If not, then it will depend on the ram you have now. Often, 2GB sticks will have higher latencies than 1GB sticks, so if you have high quality ram now just get more of it. If you have low quality ram, get good 2GB sticks to replace your current ones.

 

[bobdelt]

Check with your motherboard, make sure either options above are compatible. Upgrading your OS to 64 bit can be a hassle unless you want to do a clean install now anyway.

I dont think there will be any difference performance wise, not even with benchmarks, so I would go with what's cheapest.

 

[Henrah]

Originally posted by: Blain
"Best"?
Buy a 4GB kit...
$35 after rebate and it holds to the JEDEC voltage standard for DDR2.

Cheers Blain That has the same latencies as the RAM I currently have, but it doesn't look half as cool. (Mine has fins. See here: http://www.corsair.com/products/xms2dhx/default.aspx)

Originally posted by: drizek
There isn't much reason to not be using a 64bit OS anymore. I'm not completely sure how the license works, but I'm pretty sure Ultimate lets you use both 32bit and 64 bit.

If not, then it will depend on the ram you have now. Often, 2GB sticks will have higher latencies than 1GB sticks, so if you have high quality ram now just get more of it. If you have low quality ram, get good 2GB sticks to replace your current ones.

I'm able to go to 64-bit. I don't quite have the time right now to do a reinstall to get to 64-bit, but I will when I'm able to. What are the RAM limitations between Ultimate 32-bit & 64-bit?

Originally posted by: drizek
Why not add two more 2GB stick for a total of 6?

That's a great idea! Should I be concerned about differing latencies? My current RAM is 5-5-5-18 at 800Mhz. I could get this: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products...fered-CAS-4-4-4-12-DHX which is the same as what I have now, just 2gb each in size (4gb total) and 4-4-4-12 latencies.

My motherboard can handle DDR2 1066Mhz, as well as DDR3 (dual-channel.) Here is 2x2gb of DDR2 1066Mhz for £2 less than the 800Mhz I linked above: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products...fered-CAS-5-5-5-15-EPP

Would I be able to add that on top of RAM running at 800Mhz, or does all the RAM in a system have to run at the same speed? If the latter, I might get the above 4gb of 1066Mhz to replace my current 2gb. If the former, I'll get the first link and total 6gb (I think this might be best, pending differing latency knowledge.)

What about DDR3? Is it worth it in my system?

Thanks for all your help,
Henrah ^_^

 

[Henrah]

Originally posted by: bobdelt
Check with your motherboard, make sure either options above are compatible. Upgrading your OS to 64 bit can be a hassle unless you want to do a clean install now anyway.

I dont think there will be any difference performance wise, not even with benchmarks, so I would go with what's cheapest.

Here's my mobo: http://uk.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=fFZ8oUIGmLpwNMjj

It's pretty robust. I can max out at 8gb DDR2 @1066Mhz, or 4gb DDR3 @1333Mhz.

 

[drizek]

32bit has a 4GB limit, 64bit is limited to 16 million Terabytes. Whether you get 4gb or 6gb, having a 32bit OS will limit you to around 3GB.

All your ram needs to run at the same speed and same latency. Whether 4GB of fast ram is better than 6GB of average ram depends on what you use your system for.

 

[Denithor]

Just to clarify a few points here.

1) 32-bit OS is capped at 4GB total memory. Including what's on your video card and any other cards etc in your box. Most people end up with 3.2-3.5GB usable RAM if they install 2x2GB in a box and run a 32-bit OS. Not a big loss so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Grab something like the sticks Blain linked, paying attention to voltage more than anything else really (lower voltage = higher quality RAM).

2) If you can take the time to wipe & install 64-bit OS go for the 2x2GB on top of what you already have. Vista 64 will happily use as much RAM as you can provide. In this case, or for just adding 2x1GB to what you already have - if the timings don't match up all sticks will run at the slowest rated speed/timings.

3) RAM speed & timings has very little impact on performance. Just get whatever has the speed rating you need for any overclock you want to do (note that even DDR2-667 is fast enough to handle an e6750 @ stock speed) and look for lower voltage instead of tight timings or fancy heatshields.

4) DDR3 is a complete waste on a C2D system.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: drizek
Why not add two more 2GB stick for a total of 6?

There isn't much reason to not be using a 64bit OS anymore. I'm not completely sure how the license works, but I'm pretty sure Ultimate lets you use both 32bit and 64 bit.

If not, then it will depend on the ram you have now. Often, 2GB sticks will have higher latencies than 1GB sticks, so if you have high quality ram now just get more of it. If you have low quality ram, get good 2GB sticks to replace your current ones.

+1

My brother had 4x512MB... I replaced two 512MB sticks with 2x2GB... now he has 5GB.... no reason to waste old ram.

 

[18 Is Number 1]

These should do about 1150: http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-PC2-...45LDC/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1