Going to 4GB, 4 sticks or 2 ? And Compatibility ?

[Ogs]

Blame Crysis, im looking to go to 4GBs of memory (PC2-6400), but im not sure what to do, which is best etc.

Do i go for 4 sticks of 1GB or 2 sticks of 2GB ? Does it even matter ? Can my motherboard (MSI K9N Neo) handle it (someone said i would have to check its compatibility with 4GB, which the manual says it can take) ? Which brand is worth going for ?

What stands out to me is this -

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-086-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

But also someone recommended me this (if i buy 2 of course) -

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-066-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

What would you recommend ?

This if from the MSI website -

"Main Memory

• Supports Dual DDR II 533/667/800
- 4 DDRII DIMMs (240pin / 1.8V)
- Supports a maximum memory size up to 4GB."

I see that on the sticks ive chose, the Voltage is higher, does that mean i cant use them as my motherboard says 1.8v ?

Edit - I aint an Overclocker, if that means anything Also, i see a lot about "Timings", are lower timings better ? And is it automatic on the motherboard ?

 

[londonbairn]

Personally, 2x2gb. I went from 4x1gb to 2x2gb to ensure 100% stability. Do not notice a difference between PC2-8500 and PC2-6400. Maybe in benchmarks, but as a person who actually uses a PC to do things rather than "benchmarking", I do not care.

 

[pegasus1]

Personally, 2x2gb. I went from 4x1gb to 2x2gb to ensure 100% stability. Do not notice a difference between PC2-8500 and PC2-6400. Maybe in benchmarks, but as a person who actually uses a PC to do things rather than "benchmarking", I do not care.

As above.

 

[FatRakoon]

Agreed. I went with 4x1GB purely because I went to 2x1GB and then a few weeks later, I upped to another pair of 1GB Sticks.

I since went with a pair of 2GB Sticks, thinking it would help on a few things ( Mainly Overclocking ) but this was simply not the case.

Im now back on 4x1GB but only because Im using the 2x2GB in a Mobo that only has 2 RAM slots.

For me, 2 or 4 makes no difference at all... Maybe price?