Memory- How does it work so therefore what's the best option?

leboof

Hi, quicky....

For one reason or another I'm upgrading my PC and decided to go for 2GB or Ram.
I'm not sure how PC memory works. So, is it better to go for 2 x 1GB or 1 x 2GB chip. For example, does it work like a Core Duo CPU and better to have two separateRAM chips, or is memory space all bundle into one and makes no difference essentially?

Thank you very much in advance for your reply.

joshm_2

There's no discernable performance difference between 2x1BG and 1x2GB, provided the speed etc of the chips onboard the DIMM are the same.
The best thing to do is get 1x2GB provided your motherboard supports unmatched pairs and will allow, say, maximum memory of 4GB. That way, in the future, you can upgrade again without having to discard any of the old RAM.

marms

2x1Gb dimms wll be faster as it can run dual channel and give more bandwidth.

esuhl

It depends on the capabilities of the motherboard. In some, the RAM can operate in dual channel mode (which means the RAM can be accessed much faster), whilst other motherboards do not have this capability.

For "dual channel" mode to be operational, identical memory sticks must be used, and usually put in specific (numbered or colour-coded) slots on the motherboard. For this reason, memory manufacturers often sell "matched pairs" of RAM, which have come off the assembly line one after the other and so are as close to identical as is possible.

superscaper

joshm wrote: »

There's no discernable performance difference between 2x1BG and 1x2GB, provided the speed etc of the chips onboard the DIMM are the same.
The best thing to do is get 1x2GB provided your motherboard supports unmatched pairs and will allow, say, maximum memory of 4GB. That way, in the future, you can upgrade again without having to discard any of the old RAM.

As esuhl says, if the motherboard has a dual channel capability then 2 x 1 GiB will be faster than 1 x 2 GiB. Providing the two sticks are a matched pair.

zappahey

superscaper wrote: »

As esuhl says, if the motherboard has a dual channel capability then 2 x 1 GiB will be faster than 1 x 2 GiB. Providing the two sticks are a matched pair.

While you're absolutely right, I would suggest that, for the average user, the difference in speed would be pointless and that the OP should go for whatever is the most convenient.

Unless you're a serious gamer, there isn't much point in pursuing marginal gains in performance.