Better upgrade: Add a HD or go to dual channel RAM?

[ninja098]

I have a A64 x2 3800+ that I use for media encoding and software development, some light gaming. Currently have one 1GB stick of RAM, 1 SATA 250GB hard drive.

Would I see more of a performance boost adding another stick of RAM so I can run dual channel or adding a separate hard drive to put the OS on? I've searched around a bit and haven't been able to find hard numbers on what sort of perf increase to expect going to dual channel RAM.

 

[Pyroclazm]

I'd guess more performance adding the ram, aslong as you put your OS on the first partition that should allow for max performance.

IE: almost 1gig of ram would be used just by running winxp n wow.

 

[jimbob200521]

adding ram will def get you more of a performance boost