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EggXpert » Product Support » Computer Building & Upgrad... » Memory » Re: 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

Last post 08-14-2008, 8:12 AM by Alfador. 6 replies.
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  •  08-06-2008, 8:17 PM 369863

    2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

    If I'm getting 4GB DDR2 1066, is it better to get 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB in terms of speed?

  •  08-06-2008, 8:22 PM 369867 in reply to 369863

    Re: 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

    2x2gb is a good way to go. It will work in dual channel just the same as the 4 single sticks. Why fill all the slots up if you don't have to. There should be no difference in speed if you fill all the slots up or if you just fill two.

    OCZ 1066 Reaper HPC if your board can handle it. You will more then likely have to set the speed and timings of the ram in the bios. Make sure your board is rated for 1066 or 1200 ram to use this if not the use the below ram.

    OCZ 800 Reaper HPC

  •  08-08-2008, 10:55 AM 370727 in reply to 369867

    Re: 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

    2X2GB is always my option. but it has nothing to do with the speed. they should be the same. but you will have 2 slots to futureproof and it is said that the 2X2GB memory overclock well. Stick out tongue
    Only the Paranoid Survive
    T-T
    ~ ~ ~ ~

  •  08-08-2008, 11:57 AM 370778 in reply to 370727

    Re: 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

    Not sure about other memory configurations but for all of corsair's high performance memory they recommend 2x2.  They posted a mem guide here recently but I can't find it at the moment.  2x2 allows you to not have to use dual channel even if you have it, which could theoretically make a small performance increase (though I doubt you'd realize it), and considering that the bad-stick rate for ram, even from a really good company, can be pretty high, You decrease your chances of needing an RMA by a couple orders of magnitude. 

    ASUS P5E, E8500, 2x2GB Corsair DDR2 1066
    Visiontek HD 4870, Antec 900, Corsair 750w PSU
    Why the iPhone is the pinnacle of failure

  •  08-09-2008, 3:48 PM 371336 in reply to 369863

    Re: 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

    I think 2*2G will be better.

     

    First, if without dual cannel, 2G ram will have better efficiency than double 1G rams with

     

    the same capability and parameter.

     

    And also, you can use double 2G rams to set up a dual channel. In this way, which will

     

    have better performance than 4*1G.

  •  08-09-2008, 5:18 PM 371357 in reply to 371336

    Re: 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

    Hyacinth, I stated in my post that either 2x2gb or 4x1gb will be dual channel and thus perform the same.

    What are you trying to say about double 2g rams having better performance then 4 1g rams? Its the same setup you have all 4 slots filled up which works in dual channel mode or you have 2 slots used in dual channel mode. Same performance.

    So please get your facts straight or explain better what you are trying to say as I can see that english is not your native language. Doing so will make sure the OP doesn't get confused or mis informed.

  •  08-14-2008, 8:12 AM 374101 in reply to 371357

    Re: 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB

    Here, this is what I was looking for earlier: http://www.corsairmemory.com/_appnotes/AN806_Memory_Upgrade_Resource_Guide.pdf

    According to that, performance will be better with 2x2 as opposed to 4x1, at least in terms of overclockability.

    Many users interpret these specifications too liberally. A motherboard that can overclock to a given speed with 2 modules cannot overclock to that same given speed with 4-up. Again, this is due to the increased electrical load on the north bridge or memory controller and the increased heat that accompanies it. So, many users are disappointed when they add memory and their overclocking capability is reduced. They tend to fault the memory for this limitation when it is actually a physical limitation of the memory controller.

    Now, according to the actual documentation that came with my corsair memory, when you have four slots in dual channel, like so ||  ||  you want to fill the leftmost slot in each pair, so they run in single channel, rather than run them both in dual channel in the same socket.

     

    There is however one, and pretty much only one benefit to 4x1.  It seems that smaller memory sticks are more likely to be able to run at faster timings like CAS4 for DDR2, at least that is the impression garnered from newegg's RAM listings.
    ASUS P5E, E8500, 2x2GB Corsair DDR2 1066
    Visiontek HD 4870, Antec 900, Corsair 750w PSU
    Why the iPhone is the pinnacle of failure
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