RAM: The age-old question....more or less? 4GB or 6GB?

[Rob_B]

I'm running the below kit & have 6GB of RAM simply as I didn't start off wanting something powerful then kinda changed my mind slowly!

X3 435 (2.9Ghz)
3 x 2GB DDR2 (PC6400)
GTX260

Basically It's all at stock, not interested in OCing yet as everything runs perfectly well & with pretty good temps. RAM @ 200mhz & even Crysis doesn't push the 4GB mark..

So I already know the answer really...most places I have seen suggest that 4GB is the sweet spot unless you need the extra RAM for video editing etc (I don't)

Should I get rid of one stick of RAM to enable dual channel, gain £20 or so & probably notice no difference?..

Used for internet, the odd video encode & the odd game (Crysis mainly at the moment)

Thoughts appreciated!

Rob

[SiM]

I would just keep it for the epeen. It probably won't make a huge amount of difference day to day unless you run memory intensive apps... but at least it will future proof it and memory tends to hold value well anyway....
Dual channel doesn't make a huge difference either. If anything I would upgrade to 8gb if you want dual channel

[kalniel]

Come on, this is Hexus! The obvious answer is to buy another 2gb stick so you get even bigger e-peen and can run dual channel.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would probably run the RAM in dual channel as it should improve performance.

BTW, some of the 8200 motherboards do support core unlocking IIRC.

[Rob_B]

Haha you guys aren't helping!!

No core unlocking on this mobo

[SiM]

Haha you guys aren't helping!!

No core unlocking on this mobo

Your options are:
1) Stick with 6GB. Be happy and don't open this thread again.
2) Continue reading this thread, be convinced to upgrade to 8GB+. Bask in the joy of your large epeen.

Do you understand: Downgrading is not an option. This is HEXUS!

[Rob_B]

I guess that's me told then eh?

[ed^chigliak]

You've broken one of the Hexus 10 commandments.

Thou shalt not build single channel abominations.

Sell 1x2Gb
Buy 2x1Gb

Maximum effort. Minimum dosh.

[arthurleung]

You've broken one of the Hexus 10 commandments.

Thou shalt not build single channel abominations.

Sell 1x2Gb
Buy 2x1Gb

Maximum effort. Minimum dosh.

I would say there is no perceptible difference in having 3 sticks compared to 2 sticks apart from 2 sticks can run tighter timing, more so if running in unganged mode, wouldn't see much difference with 2,3,4 sticks or ram.

If your system runs fine, don't bother messing with it.

[=assassin=]

I found that Crysis can get a memory leak on the very last level, and I've encountered usage by the game alone as over 4GB!!! Having the extra 2Gb for 6Gb total made a big difference in this occasion. Most games will do fine with much less though.

[Pob255]

Personally with the current ddr2 2nd hand prices, sell one stick, 4gb is still more than enough in most situations, heck I'm still running on 2gb atm

ps I do hope your running win7 64bit and not 32bit, if you are running 32bit then I reserve the right to laugh and point at you mercilessly.

[Rob_B]

Personally with the current ddr2 2nd hand prices, sell one stick, 4gb is still more than enough in most situations, heck I'm still running on 2gb atm

ps I do hope your running win7 64bit and not 32bit, if you are running 32bit then I reserve the right to laugh and point at you mercilessly.

I'd hope you know me better than that! 64bit all the way

I'm undecided, £20 is barely worth the effort of selling I reckon :/

[Singh400]

Get rid of the extra stick to get Dual Channel. 4GB is plenty. Really hard to fill unless I load up multiple VMs.

[Pob255]

Just a quick look at fleabay, basic unbranded/non-fancy 1x2gb pc2-6400 around £20 exP&P, fancy branded stuff with heat sink (eg corsair XMS2) £30-35 exP&P

[Rob_B]

I had to do it....

*sigh*