Another memory question

[Flibb]

Have decided that I want to increase the amount of memory to 2gb, its primarilly a game rig (BF2, Il2, HL2, DoD-S), but currently have 2 sticks of 512 that wont run dual channel (memory was not bought as matched pair, rig hangs on boot if it trys to run dual channel). So basically am I better off trying to get 2 more sticks of 512 and attempting to get it to run dual channel, or do i use 1x1Gb stick + 2 x512mb. Supose I could sell the 2 x 512 and try to get 2 x 1gb, what do you think??

System is as follows
2 x 512MB PC3200 Value CAS2.5 Geil
Opteron 146 (2.5ghz must push it some more)
Asrock 939 dual sata 2 mobo
9800 pro (with a bit of oc)

[sawyen]

Running 3 sticks on an AMD 64bit system is definitely a no no... not only will you have to run single channel.. you'd have to live with DDR333 as well..

If you can, ditch that 2 sticks of 512 and get 2 sticks of 1GB.. or alternatively, run 4x512 like my rig.. you'd have to run 2T.. but it beats 333Mhz anytime..

[Nox]

Dual channel will only give you a few % in performance, not a lot.

It really depends on how much you're willing to spend - I would probably try and sell the two 512mb sticks (seperately) to (almost) raise enough cash to buy a single 1gb, then get another gb at the same time. Even though dual channel may only give a few %, its still free performance if its switched on.

Nox

[kempez]

I would get 2 x 1gb Sticks of RAM mate. Then you don't have to run 2T command rate.

I reccomend Crucial Ballistix PC4000

[Flibb]

Cheers guys, will probably grab a 1gb stick in new year and see how it works.

[sgoaty]

I wouldnt reccomend buying just one stick as you will see no benifit and end up not having a matched pair again

[Thorsson]

2x1Gb compared to 4 mismatched 512Mb is quite a big difference. Even ignoring the benefits of 2Gb (which are noticeable in BF2, FEAR and Civ 4 at least), you will likely see performance improvement of nearly 15%: Dual Channel tested here recently gave 7.7% improvement, 1T vs 2T = around 3% improvement and 400 v 333 is the same. These benefits are multiplicative. If you get faster rated, like PC4000, or tighter timings, you can add another 2-3%.

[nvening]

You would not get any performance increase from PC4000 on an A64 because the in chip memory controler only goes up to PC3200, infact, it would be worse (most likely) becuause the timings get worse the faster you go (this is not always the case no, but im talking about not spending crazy prices here). This all changes is you OC though.

Basically, get 2x1GB (Geil do a Value 2GB pack if you like them) and you waont go far wrong.

[Thorsson]

Sorry, I should have said I was presuming an OC.