1 gig stick or two matched pairs?

[tommot82]

I have a 775 rig on an asus P5LD2-VM which currently has a gig of Geil PC5300 667MHz Value DDR2.

I want to put another gig in (photoshop is running like a dog) and i have 2 questions:

1) should i use the same ram as the other matched pair? i.e. is it beneficial to get some more geil value like the stuff that is already in there or is other (kingston value) RAM taht i can source cheaper due to an offer OK???

2) the board ahs four slots. Two are currently used. Is there much of a performance issue if i buy a single gig stick over two more 512 sticks?
My thinking was taht if i fill the third slot with a gig stick it leaves me a free slot for another gig in the future if i want it!

The rig is my girlfriends, it is used for design stuff (so mainy adobe creative suite) and is not and will not be clocked.

Thanks
Tom

 

[tommot82]

i have read previously that dual channel is not possible with an odd number of DIMMS.

If i buy a 2GB matched pair of geil sticks it'll cost me £82 wheras i can get hold of 2x1Gb (not a matched kit) of either kingston or corsair for £50.

My question: is the extra £30 going to be worth it??? or will the two single gig sticks simply work??

 

[tommot82]

yeah i guess what i was really asking was hiw likely is it not to run dual channel if i buy two singgle sticks rather than a dual channel kit?

I am not sure if i am asking a "ow long is a piece of string" question or not here!!!