Is 2 128 sticks Better than 1 256 Stick?????

[Over Clocked]

Hey guys. I've never really heard anyone talk about this topic before but I have a hypothesis that 2 128 sticks would be faster than 1 256 stick. Is this true? I am thinking this because, if you think logically, there would be more pins and bandwith for the same amount of information to go through. You'll see what I'm saying? I am building a new comp (READ MY POST ON THE A$S KICKING 1 GHZ) and I am thinking going with 1 256 chip and 2 128 chips (instead of 1 512 chip and 1 128). I know, Iknow, it's overkill... But atleast I can say... Na Na Bo Bo - I Got more RAM than You!!

[Warthog]

No.

My answer comes from the fact that if you have, say, a 128 and a 64, you would put the 128 first, right? There is a reason for that. It takes a bit longer to go from one memory stick to another. Plus, why needlessly take up two memory slots?

One 256 would be better than two 128 sticks.

There would be some sort of speed increase, but I don't know how much.

Warthog

[This message has been edited by Warthog (edited 10-25-2000).]

[canit]

You won't be able to say that to NDC. hehehe

[jamis]

To be honest.. the only benefit I see to having 1 stick of memory rather than 2 adding up to the same amount, would be the fact that you have one more slot open for future memory upgrades.

Saying 1 stick is better than 2 sticks adding up to the same amount would also lead credance to the theory that a stick with 3 memory chips on it is better than a chip with say 8. Theoretically there could be SOME latency, but in either case, it would be by no means noticable at all. Unless one stick is bad or in some way different (not as good quality, etc)..

I honest think there is no real performance difference. The memory bus is wide open and the system can map to any of that free space, whether it's 1 stick, 2 sticks, and any given number of memory chips on said sticks. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[steves1728]

I always heard the opposite-that 2 sticks were a shade faster than 1 simply because there were twice as many pathways in and out....Would be interesting to find the real answer.This page is a good bookmark on ram basics... http://www.mackido.com/Hardware/RAM.html

[NDC]

You won't be able to say that to NDC. hehehe

And just what did that suppose to mean, canit????


Anyway, I would have to say to go for the (1)256MB Module Vs. (2)128MB Modules.

I have 4 DIMM slots,

256/256/128/128 = 768MB and I wish that I could just chuck the (2) 128MB RAM Modules and replace it with (1) 256MB RAM Module. I'd like pop in another 256MB, but..... You know the rest.

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 10-25-2000).]

[steves1728]

A reply has arrived and is posted with permission.."Not sure exactly what you mean by faster. If you mean will you be able to overclock better with one or two, it all depends on the memory. In general I'd suggest 2 128's to increase your chances. If you just mean will the computer at the same speed be faster with a 256 or with 2-128's, there should be no difference."
Gary has just finished an excellent comparison on ram and is a recommended read-[and bookmark]here: http://www.overclockin.com/reviews/RamRoundup2/RamRoundup2-1.html

[canit]

256MB+128MB+128MB=512MB. 512MB+128MB=640MB quote: "But atleast I can say... Na Na Bo Bo - I Got more RAM than You!!" He couldn't say it to you NDC.
Thought it was funny, what did you think I meant?

[NDC]

Actually, I didn't know what you meant..... That is why I was asking you. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

And to be frank with you, I don't have all that RAM to brag about. I work with alot of huge files, some as big as 700mb per image file. And with the common PC setup of 128MB or 256MB just won't cut it. Even with 768MB, I run out of memory when I start opening image files.

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 10-26-2000).]

[mudoggy]

Hmm..
OK, so there may be more pathways with 2 sticks vs one, meaning more ways to go in and out.

Isn't there only one memory pathway/bus leading to the slots though? So you can have more on and off ramps to a highway, getting more people on the highway concurrently, but you will just have a traffic jam that much quicker... right? I guess if you didn't hit max capacity on the highway, then more ramps, in theory, might be conceptually faster.

Probably not enough for us to notice though.

Yes/no? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[KAknight]

2 sticks of 128 are cheaper that 1 stick of 256. If cost isn't an issue, I would go with 1 stick of 256.

[Szech]

There are some chipsets that have been specially programmed to use more than one SIMM together to increase performance. I believe 840 does this, and some older chipsets do this as well. That way, instead of filling up one 128 meg stick, then going to the next, 64 megs will be written to both. If your motherboard's chipset has not been optimized to do this, then I would say no, it doesn't make a difference.

[Savant]

I'd go with single stick, you'll ALWAYS need more memory (what idoit's idea was it to include only 3 slots anyway?)

[Brangwen]

First, there SHOULD be more memory slots! Second, I'd get 2 128MB sticks. If one stick went bad and was out of warranty or the company from where it was purchased made it a real hassle to replace, you would still be left with 128MB to keep running and would only require a 128MB replacement. Something to consider...

Brangwen http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[PassnThru]

Well - performance between one and two sticks would have to be negligible (sorry - no benchmarks but come on..). I usually favor breaking it into two sticks (even in the 128 range) so that I can pull a stick if needed and not disable the donor computer. If you must have stratospheric levels of RAM, then obviously slots are limited so go for the max in each slot. BTW - NDC - when you decide to 'chuck' those 2 128MB chips I'll send you my address...
Thanks in advance!