Question on RAM: 512MB vs 2x256MB

[Idz21]

I'm looking for people's opinions backed up by experience and techinal knowledge on the issue.

I'm wondering if better performance can be achieved with one stick of 512 MB of RAM, or with two sticks of 256 MBs of the same brand and model. To be more specific I am referring to the Corsair CMX512-3200C2PT vs two Corsair CMX256A-3200C2PT.

1. 
   By performance I mean general real world speed as well as the ability to overclock.
2. Is it easier to overclock one stick of 512 or two sticks of 256?
3. Will I be able to achieve higher overclock speeds with the stick of 512 or two sticks of 256 of the RAM afore mentioned?

The board which this will all be happening on is the Epox 8RDA3+.

Another question I have is about the Dual Channel DDR. Model: CMX512-3200LLPT and CMX256-3200LLPT.

1. Anyone have any experience with DDR II, and what were the results?
2. Are the results better with DDR or DDR II?
3. Is it easier to overclock DDR or DDR II?

This is a double post from the Highly Technical forum. I just saw that another RAM question thread got redirected here. I'm looking for some help before I purchase the RAM for my new system. Any help will be appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

 

[WhiteKnight77]

Do you intend to try and run your RAM as dual channel? If so, you need to have 2 RAM slots on the mobo filled so you would be better off with the 2 sticks of 256MB. Also if one stick should crap out on ya, you are not totally shut down (if that is your only PC.)

 

[konichiwa]

It will be easier to overclock with one stick. The memory bus can handle faster timings (or slower timings/higher speed) with one memory bank filled as opposed to two or three.

As for the dual channel DDR performance, the performance gain seems to be negligible unless you're using onboard video (which you're not). You may see a rise in benchmarks by 5% or so, but it will most likely not be noticeable. At least that's my experience.

 

[Idz21]

Whiteknight: As of right now I am looking for input from everyone to determine which RAM to get. I heard some things about DDR II where there are problems running and OCing the sticks, being that they must be exactly identical. The price differential isn't that great between DDR and DDR II, but I would rather have stability with the proven standard DDR sticks.


konichiwa: That is what I've been hearing. I'm looking to OC my 1700+ JIUHB to at least 2.4 Ghz so I need perfect stabiliy, and right now it looks that I will be able to get that with the single stick of 512 MB.


Thanks for the quick responses guys.

 

[Idz21]

Ok I heard some things that in order to take the advantage of the nForce2 chipset, it is better to get two sticks of 256 (the corsair TwinX) which are supposedly tested to work together as an identical pair. Using two sticks takes advantage of the boards dual channel capabilities providing better performance.

As of right now I'm leaning towards getting the 2x256 sticks. Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[Corporate Thug]

from what i understand, nfroce2 does not benefit from DCDDR as much as canterwood. also, the big benefits to DCDDR with nforce2 is when using onboard graphics

 

[NesuD]

twinx really isn't necessary for good dual channel. I am using a pair of single 512s corsair XMS pc3200c2 modules that i bought at the same time and they were together just fine in dual channel. I would only buy a dual channel kit if it were cheaper than 2 singles which usually isn't the case. Dual channel with nforce 2 makes little noticeable difference in most applications in the non IGP boards It's only readily discernable benefits are when used with the IGP of the Nforce2.

 

[Idz21]

Sounds good. Thanks for your help guys. I went ahead and purchased the TwinX Corsair 2x256 XMS Platinum Low Latency sticks for $162. Might be a little pricy, but I just went on a purchasing rampage and decided to get the best.

 

[holdencommodore]

When I bought another stick of 256MB PC2100 for my Shuttle AK31 3.1, I had to raise some of the latency settings, namely the Command Rate CMD, which did reduce performance somewhat. Also had to lower the FSB slightly from 150 to 147MHz for the system to remain stable.

Cheers

 

[randumb]

Well two sticks are better on nforce2 because its Dual DDR.