Which is more practical?

[Fogel]

for use w/ vista 64-bit

8gb of ddr2 1066 vs 4gb of ddr2 1170

[dave87]

neither. The fact you have 4gb as an option suggests you don't need 8gb (very few specialised applications need it).

So:

4gb of ddr2-800.

Cheap, and more than enough for most consumer apps on Vista.

[Thorsson]

Worth getting faster for one of the new cores, but don't pay silly money.

[staffsMike]

As thorson says. Unless you are trying to do a very big overclock on a 1333MHz Chip it isn't really worth it.

PC6400 will suit any 1066MHz chip or lower.

[Fogel]

their both reasonable

$194($144 after rebates) for 8gigs
$185 for 4gigs

[staffsMike]

You are hardly likely to get full use of 8GB.. or 4GB really. What are you doing with this PC?

8GB would out weigh the extra speed of the 4gb set if will be utilising it all ..

[Fogel]

You are hardly likely to get full use of 8GB.. or 4GB really. What are you doing with this PC?

8GB would out weigh the extra speed of the 4gb set if will be utilising it all ..

gaming and photoshop pretty much, dual monitors @ 1680x1050

[DDY]

They're not reasonable prices to pay if you're just photoshopping, PC2-6400 will do if you're doing light to moderate overclocking of any CPU.

However the 8GB set looks like good value, but again, only if you need it.

[staffsMike]

doubt you would need 8GB for that.

What CPU?