Dual chanel and games

[x2 3600 rules sazakky]

How much of a performance difference would dual channel make to my games as I currently run my computer on single

 

[Somniferum]

Originally posted by: x2 3600 rules sazakky
How much of a performance difference would dual channel make to my games as I currently run my computer on single

Very little difference, except on synthetic benchmarks. See here for an example of some real-world test results. Bottom line: dual-channel memory is way over-hyped.

 

[Phynaz]

While I agree, I have to point out that the data you linked to is for an Intel C2D cpu, not an AMD X2.

 

[Somniferum]

Originally posted by: Phynaz
While I agree, I have to point out that the data you linked to is for an Intel C2D cpu, not an AMD X2.

I dug up that example because I wanted to make sure it holds true with DDR2. I know from personal experience dual-channel makes very little difference using DDR on an AMD x2. But I take your point, ideally we would look at a real-world performance comparison using DDR2 on an AMD x2, just in case that one CPU/RAM combination performs differently from all the rest. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: Somniferum
I dug up that example because I wanted to make sure it holds true with DDR2. I know from personal experience dual-channel makes very little difference using DDR on an AMD x2. But I take your point, ideally we would look at a real-world performance comparison using DDR2 on an AMD x2, just in case that one CPU/RAM combination performs differently from all the rest. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one.

The broader point is that the Athlon 64 family have integrated memory controllers, and the Core 2 family do not. So there can be significant differences in memory performance in some cases.

But to the original question, it is true that dual-channel memory makes a fairly modest performance difference. Given the current market conditions for RAM, it's probably a better idea to just go for quantity if you want more performance.

 

[Somniferum]

Originally posted by: Aluvus

Originally posted by: Somniferum
I dug up that example because I wanted to make sure it holds true with DDR2. I know from personal experience dual-channel makes very little difference using DDR on an AMD x2. But I take your point, ideally we would look at a real-world performance comparison using DDR2 on an AMD x2, just in case that one CPU/RAM combination performs differently from all the rest. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one.

The broader point is that the Athlon 64 family have integrated memory controllers, and the Core 2 family do not. So there can be significant differences in memory performance in some cases.

As I said, I have an A64 CPU myself. I'm well aware of the integrated memory controller. I have extensively tested different DDR configurations on my own system, including dual-channel vs. single-channel, 1T vs. 2T command rate, memory bus speeds and latency timings, etc. My answer to the OP was informed by my own testing combined with the various articles I've read on the subject over the years.

The THG data I linked to was not the basis for my opinion, it was only an effort to provide the OP with some real-world numbers to use as a reference point. If anybody has real-world data of this type using DDR2 on an A64 system, please do post it, as I have not been able to find any specific data using that particular configuration.

 

[imported_Woody]

Originally posted by: x2 3600 rules sazakky
How much of a performance difference would dual channel make to my games as I currently run my computer on single

You have 2GB. Is it just one stick? What operating system are you running?

I personally don't think it's worth investing in an old system like that especially with DDR-533 and especially for what is likely a negligible performance gain.

You would have to match the original stick specs exactly, latency and speed in order for them to run dual channel.

If you run Windows XP you won't see a significant performance gain overall with 4GB rather than 2GB. Your system will only recognize about 3.5GB anyway.

With Vista, even 32bit, you will see a noticeable improvement in general OS responsiveness and many applications with more than 2GB RAM.

Dual channel with your CPU has a more significant effect on system performance than on modern Intel systems but a little less of an effect than on the old Athlon XP systems. In any case it's not much and not something you're likely to notice except in benchmarks. It will depend on the specific application you're running, some more than others.