This is more of a general query. I was wondering whether: 4GB =4 X 1Gb sticks was faster than 4Gb = 2X 2Gb Sticks I know that cost effectively 2 x 2GB is better but was wondering as if there are more channels for data to flow down wouldn't that make it faster? Has any one ever tested, or got any views? Cheers, Anthony
Generally there are 2 or 3 memory channels rather than 1 per slot. In your case 2 by the sounds of it. I honestly wouldnt think there would be a lot of difference between 2x2GB and 4x1GB, but I would defintely go for the 2GB chips.
theres is no speed difference (measurable) but filling the extra memory banks (4x1) can lower MAX possible overclocks when compared to 2x2. also extra power use and heat output (dumped into the case)
Just to clarify this a bit , it'll be the memory over clock the CPU won't be affected, DDR2 will usually go to it's default setting of 800mhz
just to clarify further the CPU may be effected as its generally accepted that 4 sticks of RAM can cause instability in a overclock where 2 will not. if your only going for a mild overclock them you would have nothing to worry about i think. however as i stated it can lower the MAX possible overclock e.g. if you can get 4Ghz with 2x2Gb you may find 3.7-3.8Ghz is all you can get with 4x1GB.
+1 - Overclocking becomes alot more complicated and limited when you fill up all the slots. Go 2x2gb. Rough explanation: More memory means more for the memory controller to do, stress it more at stock speeds with lots of ram and it will oc less than if it had less memory. 1 ram stick is fastest, 2 a bit slower and and 4 the slowest. 4 sticks is slower than 2 sticks because with 4 sticks you are making each memory channel (there are two) control an extra ram stick. This has the penalty of requiring extra 'administrative duties' on the part of the memory controller in controlling a 2nd seperate piece of hardware. Simply using 2 larger ram sticks instead of filling up the slots with 4 lower capacity ram sticks still incurs a performance penalty but less so than that of dealing with memory 'distributed' over 4 seperate locations. To reach 8 gb requires using all the slots however. 8 gb machines are NOT unstable when overclocked. They simply will not oc as far and stability testing needs to be done with more care. Prime95 wont cut it, it doesnt use up much memory. Use Linpack, it will use every last drop. Note: there are 4gb ram sticks available but the price is stoopid and the latencies pretty horrible. Miniaturisation continues however and it wont be long till 4gb sticks are the norm. For instance when i bought my motherboard in 2006, 1gb sticks were normal (ddr2 800 5-5-5-15), now im running 2x2gb sticks (ddr2 965 5-5-5-15). God bless the P5-B Deluxe: best motherboard in history!
I'd have to agree with 90% of the above, but throw in the AMD equation and thing seem to change a bit. I've had my board filled with ram and got an extra 150mhz out of it and in fact every AMD rig I've come across(and thats a few) have never had any trouble running flat out with more or less ram, probably due to a better memory controller. This may well change at ridiculously high overclocks, but for what it's worth ,thats not going to affect 99% of us.
