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Dragonlich · 02-13-2005, 11:45 AM

I'm looking for some advice on expanding my computer's memory. Specifically: how much to expand it...

My current situation: I have an Asus P4P800 motherboard, with 4 memory banks. I have 2 x 256 megs DDR400, running in dual-channel mode. (it runs a pentium 4 2.6c, with a WD Raptor harddisk and an ATI radeon 9800 pro. Plenty of power.) I'm looking at the option of getting more memory to increase the speed in certain games (such as BF1942, vampire: bloodlines, etc). I just can't decide on what to buy.

My options:
1) Buy 2 x 256 megs. Total memory 1 gig. Should be enough to play all those games, and should suffice for a while. Downside: all banks will be filled, and I won't be able to expand without *replacing* memory; that's a waste of money.
2) Buy 1 x 512 megs. Total memory 1 gig. Downside: my system will go back to single-channel mode, negating some (all?) speed gains from the extra memory. Advantage: I retain the possibility of expanding my memory at a later date.
3) Buy 2 x 512 megs. Total memory 1.5 gigs. Twice as expensive (170 Euros instead of 90), but it is dual-channel, and it will give me a bit more breathing room in the near future. My memory banks will still be full, but at least I have 1.5 gigs...

Money isn't a problem, but 90 Euros can be spend on lots of other (more useful?) things, such as a faster DVD-burner (current one is 4x speed).

Now, some questions:
a) More memory = better, but where do you draw the line? Can you really notice the difference between 1 gig and 1.5 gigs? (considering I play lots of games...) Does anyone have any experience with this?
b) Does anyone know of benchmarks showing the difference between dual-channel and single-channel mode? I.e. is option 1 clearly better than option 2?
c) Which of the options would you recommend?

thanks.

02-13-2005, 11:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	more ram dilemma I'm looking for some advice on expanding my computer's memory. Specifically: how much to expand it... My current situation: I have an Asus P4P800 motherboard, with 4 memory banks. I have 2 x 256 megs DDR400, running in dual-channel mode. (it runs a pentium 4 2.6c, with a WD Raptor harddisk and an ATI radeon 9800 pro. Plenty of power.) I'm looking at the option of getting more memory to increase the speed in certain games (such as BF1942, vampire: bloodlines, etc). I just can't decide on what to buy. My options: 1) Buy 2 x 256 megs. Total memory 1 gig. Should be enough to play all those games, and should suffice for a while. Downside: all banks will be filled, and I won't be able to expand without replacing memory; that's a waste of money. 2) Buy 1 x 512 megs. Total memory 1 gig. Downside: my system will go back to single-channel mode, negating some (all?) speed gains from the extra memory. Advantage: I retain the possibility of expanding my memory at a later date. 3) Buy 2 x 512 megs. Total memory 1.5 gigs. Twice as expensive (170 Euros instead of 90), but it is dual-channel, and it will give me a bit more breathing room in the near future. My memory banks will still be full, but at least I have 1.5 gigs... Money isn't a problem, but 90 Euros can be spend on lots of other (more useful?) things, such as a faster DVD-burner (current one is 4x speed). Now, some questions: a) More memory = better, but where do you draw the line? Can you really notice the difference between 1 gig and 1.5 gigs? (considering I play lots of games...) Does anyone have any experience with this? b) Does anyone know of benchmarks showing the difference between dual-channel and single-channel mode? I.e. is option 1 clearly better than option 2? c) Which of the options would you recommend? thanks.