RAM question...

[Tumble]

Which would be faster?

I've upgraded my mainboard to a Gigabyte EP43 and come into ownership of some faster memory than I had before, but only half as much as what I've already got... so.....

4gb PC6400 (800mHz) in 4 1gb sticks, or 2gb PC8500 (1066mHz) in 4 512mb sticks?

I'm running XP32 at the moment *I know* about the "it won't see all 4gb" thing but I know it helps.

[handscombmp]

What cpu have you got as i would say 4gb

[Tumble]

E6400 at the moment.. soon to be an E6850 though

[GSte]

Not much speed difference at all, depends on the timings a little..... in general, higher frequency is faster, but not so much that you'd notice... but 4GB will be better if you are doing any photoshop or video editing work.

[teachmech]

I would go for more rather than faster and may be use the other ram and old parts to build a pc for a relative or second system.

[Hawker1986]

I would also say go with more rather than faster, use the faster stuff for something else.

Hawker

[fallen2004]

Yep the 4gig is beter, espece on loading times in games and doing filters and stuff in PS

[mediaboy]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but this thread also throws up a similar question that I want answered before I spend all of my money

Is 4x1gb or 2x2 gigabytes faster on Vista Premium x32? I know that I won't see all of it, but the price difference is negligible. It would be easier for me to do 4x1 than 2x2, probably cheaper as well, but if 2x2 is the better option then I'll just do that.

Also: will having 2x1 of one type of memory and 2x1 of a different brand of memory (but same clock speeds, possibly different voltage settings though, although my current memory is under the recommended anyway, due to laziness) affect this in anyway? If so, would it then be better for me to just buy new 2x2 sticks?

[handscombmp]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but this thread also throws up a similar question that I want answered before I spend all of my money

Is 4x1gb or 2x2 gigabytes faster on Vista Premium x32? I know that I won't see all of it, but the price difference is negligible. It would be easier for me to do 4x1 than 2x2, probably cheaper as well, but if 2x2 is the better option then I'll just do that.

Also: will having 2x1 of one type of memory and 2x1 of a different brand of memory (but same clock speeds, possibly different voltage settings though, although my current memory is under the recommended anyway, due to laziness) affect this in anyway? If so, would it then be better for me to just buy new 2x2 sticks?

If your going to do overclocking 2x2gb would be better. I don't think having different ones would make a difference if they are paired together but i'm not sure about voltages.

I'd go for the 2x2gb

[mediaboy]

Hmm.. Having just checked on misco (where I'll be buying from, as my dad doesn't trust anywhere else and it's his credit card being used. My money though ) it appears that they have decided to remove the filters for PC-5300/PC-6400 etc.

They also appear to charge lots and lots. Is 2x2 worth the extra £15-30 it's going to cost me?

Although, of course, I suppose I could dig around on ebuyer and see if I can't get him to accept me buying from there.


EDIT:
All links to ebuyer, simply because misco don't seem to sell any PC-6400 RAM...

My current RAM: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/111439 (may not be exact, but it's something similar to those.)
If I was to get a new 2x1 kit to get to 4gb would probably buy these: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114728
If I was to get 2x2 kit I would probably get these: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143803 or http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146049

[Lanky123]

Hmm.. Having just checked on misco (where I'll be buying from, as my dad doesn't trust anywhere else and it's his credit card being used. My money though ) it appears that they have decided to remove the filters for PC-5300/PC-6400 etc.

They also appear to charge lots and lots. Is 2x2 worth the extra £15-30 it's going to cost me?

Although, of course, I suppose I could dig around on ebuyer and see if I can't get him to accept me buying from there.

Two different sets of RAM are by no means guaranteed to work together at all, especially if it turns out they use different chips and this can vary even with the same manufacturer. You would probably be alright though. A 2x2GB set is of course guaranteed to work together by the manufacturer, and would probably overclock better if you're going to.

With regards your dads card - why can't you just get your own debit card and use that. Failing that ebuyer would probably be a better bet yes, how about showing him all those retailer of the year awards scan got though.

To the OP: 4GB all the way, though you might find one or two selective apps that would be a tiny bit faster with the quicker memory.

[handscombmp]

With regards your dads card - why can't you just get your own debit card and use that. Failing that ebuyer would probably be a better bet yes, how about showing him all those retailer of the year awards scan got though.

Lloyds do a visa debit card since your age 12.

[mediaboy]

Scan is off of the list. He didn't appreciate their customer service last time something went wrong. My mobo wasn't working and blah blah blah. Long story.

And the reason for credit card is that then we're covered by the credit protection laws. If wherever I buy from go bust between me getting my things and ordering them, then I can reclaim my money back. I already have a solo card, which I use fairly frequently (for things like funorb membership... go jagex ).


So it is worth the extra bit of money to get 2x2 as opposed to an additional 2x1? Okay.. that's sorted then

[Tumble]

Thanks for the replies folks - I had the notion that moar is better here but just wanted it confirming by peeps that know waaaay more than me (or is healthy )