Memory question

[XLR8]

What is your op ion ? 4-1 gig sticks or 2 -2 gig sticks for a total of 4 gigs.

[rapid]

Hi, I depends really on if your running 32bit or 64bit O/S.

[RobGordon]

From what I've read, less sticks is always better, as the system has less work adressing them. It also kind of depends on your mainboard. Some boards just don't like 4 sticks. ATM I have 4 1GB sticks in my (quite old) Asus A8NSLI-Deluxe Board and haven't had a problem yet, but if you have the possibility, go for 2 2GB sticks. You'll also have the possibility to upgrade later on as you still have some slots left.

[XLR8]

Hi, I depends really on if your running 32bit or 64bit O/S.

 

I run XP 32 bit and understand that I will only get about 3.5 gigs out of it.

[Joe Kurr]

Hi, I depends really on if your running 32bit or 64bit O/S.

 

32 or 64 bit OS has nothing to do with the choice of 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB.

That choice really depends on the number of memory slots on your mainboard, and what is supported by it.

 

The big difference between 32 and 64 bit is the amount of physical memory your OS can address.

 

Here is a table which shows the physical memory limits supported by various Windows versions:

 

 

The amount of physical memory shown by Windows Task Manager is usually less than the total amount of memory available.

I don't know why this is, but these are the results I get:

- PC (1GB RAM, XP Professional 32 bit): 0.99GB

- Laptop (3GB RAM, Vista Enterprise 32 bit): 3,75GB

[rapid]

32 or 64 bit OS has nothing to do with the choice of 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB.

That choice really depends on the number of memory slots on your mainboard, and what is supported by it.

 

The big difference between 32 and 64 bit is the amount of physical memory your OS can address.

 

Here is a table which shows the physical memory limits supported by various Windows versions:

 

 

The amount of physical memory shown by Windows Task Manager is usually less than the total amount of memory available.

I don't know why this is, but these are the results I get:

- PC (1GB RAM, XP Professional 32 bit): 0.99GB

- Laptop (3GB RAM, Vista Enterprise 32 bit): 3,75GB

 

not sure what you mean when you have all ready agreed with me...

The big difference between 32 and 64 bit is the amount of physical memory your OS can address.

:music_whistling:

[Joe Kurr]

I mean that 32 bit or 64 bit has nothing to do with the memory configuration -- 2x 2GB or 4x 1GB.

Both add up to 4GB.

 

I agree with you that it does matter if you want more than 4GB of RAM in your PC.

[Kuky]

2x 2GB stick is better then 4x 1GB sticks... but this is really better only if you intend to overclock. Reason for being better is that using less memory sticks, motherboard NorthBridge has less work to do because it has less DRAM slots to work with (ie. 2 lanes of traffic instead of 4 lanes). This then means less voltage required for the NorthBridge, meaning bit less heat which in turn gives better stability when overclocking.

 

So, even though it is better to have less hardware connected to your motherboard real benefit is only when overclocking. For everyday user this is of no issue so either is fine.