2x2 or 4x1

GhostlyPea · 19 Nov 2007 at 13:33

Which RAM combo would be more reliable for a higher clock? 2 x 2gb modules or 4 x 1? Im assuming 2x2 but I thought I read somewhere the 2x2 modules sometiems had problems?

- Pea0n

PinkFloyd · 19 Nov 2007 at 13:38

As far as I know 4 1gig sticks would be a better bet. They tend to clock better, and I've not seen many people posting about issues with 4 sticks.

I'm hoping 4 1gig sticks is ok atleast, as I'm likely to order another 2 gig later

Marse · 19 Nov 2007 at 13:51

4 x 1 GB seems to be recommended, particularly for overclocking, which is why I went for that option.

One disadvantage is that it will limit the total amount of Ram you can install, but 4 GB is probably enough for most for the immediate future.

I'd be inclined to buy all 4 GB at the same time since you will then have greater confidence they are fully compatible if you want to overclock.

I bought 4 GB at once and they are consecutive serial numbers.

PinkFloyd · 19 Nov 2007 at 15:17

I can't see needing more slots being a problem for most people. I know it isn't for me.
I'll be on an 8+ core system with ddr3 ram before I start needing 8 gig

pegasus1 · 19 Nov 2007 at 15:27

Well id say that it depends on the mobo, there are plenty of mobo's that have problems clocking all 4 slots. i recently stuck in 2 x 2 gig OCZ sticks at 667 and my super pi and 3Dmark scores were no different than my 2 x 1 sticks at 950 (both with the same latency).

GhostlyPea · 19 Nov 2007 at 15:48

well -

Linky 2 x 2
Linky 4 x 1 (2 kits)

Obviously i realise the OCZ is 5400 as apposed to the 6400, excluding that fact 4 gig is more than all would be needed, but 2 kits of the GeIL would be a better bet?
Currently i'm looking at an a Abit IP35-Pro as I know this is very popular, but I will probably wait until Q1 '08 for the 45nm chips.

- Pea0n

pegasus1 · 19 Nov 2007 at 16:25

Memory speed or latency doesnt make as much of a difference as it did with P4 or older AMD systems, CPU speed is king (or speed and bandwidth with a quad core)

Marci · 19 Nov 2007 at 16:58

Whatever combination provides the least number of CHIPS (eg: Each stick of ram has 8x chips on it) tends to yield the best overclock. With 32 chips (4x sticks with 8 chips per stick) the fastest you'll get it to run is the speed of the slowest chip. With 32 chips, more chance of getting a slow chip in the batch than with 8 chips, or 16 chips.