Dual channel question

karansar · 12 Feb 2007 at 10:06

Just a quickie. I've read through the Memory section of the forums and am now more confused than ever. Think it's all the numbers (never was any good at maths).
So, I'll make it as simple as I am, and hopefully will get an answer fit for a simpleton

Which is more beneficial, running a matched pair of 512 PC3200 in dual channel mode, or adding another, unmatched stick of 3200, to make total RAM 1.5G?
Bearing in mind, I'm using an ancient system; K7N2 Delta, Athlon XP 3200+, you get the picture....
A yes/no answer will suffice (I'll get confused otherwise).

karansar · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:20

Please help. I've got a 512MB stick of memory sat on a shelf wanting a home.

Johnny Girth · 13 Feb 2007 at 18:57

Personally I'd go for the extra 512mb as I don't think the real world performance from dual channel on that system will be as substantial as the effects of reduced paging with the extra memory.

Although perhaps you could sell your current memory (all of it) and get 2 x 1gb sticks for the benefits of both more memory and dual channel?

karansar · 13 Feb 2007 at 20:25

Johnny Girth said:
Although perhaps you could sell your current memory (all of it) and get 2 x 1gb sticks for the benefits of both more memory and dual channel?

Thanks Johnny. I might just do that.

Count Stex · 14 Feb 2007 at 12:52

I used to run with 1GB of ram in Dual Channel on my ASRock board, and increased to 2GB (still in DC) about 18 months ago. The difference it made, particually in MMOs like WoW was very noticible, therefore I'd say go for more memory when you can, DC is just icing if you can do it. However if you have the chance to go for Johnny Girth's idea of selling .. then you get the best of both.

karansar · 14 Feb 2007 at 14:14

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-006-OK
In my basket until payday, Friday. I was going to get the Geil kit, but out of stock

Raymond Lin · 14 Feb 2007 at 14:24

karansar said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-006-OK
In my basket until payday, Friday. I was going to get the Geil kit, but out of stock

you can get some Corsair stuff for £99.99 from elsewhere too.

Corsair 2 x 1 Gb (VS2GBKIT400C3) DDR PC3200 2x128Mx64non-ECC 2x184 DIMM Unbuffered CL3 64Mx8 DRAMs

karansar · 15 Feb 2007 at 02:52

Raymond Lin said:
Corsair 2 x 1 Gb (VS2GBKIT400C3) DDR PC3200 2x128Mx64non-ECC 2x184 DIMM Unbuffered CL3 64Mx8 DRAMs

Thanks mate

karansar · 16 Feb 2007 at 05:58

However.....http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-046-GL
Thank you my OCUK

ordered 'em this morning. The wife'll be happy :eek:

I might be being made redundant from my crappy job in a couple of weeks. I'm sure she could find something better to spend my money on. Like food for the kids, or some other unecessary luxury items like that

Oh well, the long awaited upgrade is gonna have to wait. Hopefully this new ram will eke a little more life out of my creaking system.