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Topic: RAM - single or several modules?

Hi everybody!

I had a hunt around and didn't find any discussions about this topic specifically so I figured I'd ask here in case anyone knew / was interested.

Assuming that one has a computer that has two slots for RAM and assuming the limit is 2Gb, is it better to put in two 1Gb modules or a single 2Gb module? Or is there no appreciable difference?

I'm looking at upgrading an old laptop that is limited to 2Gb (three actually, but last I checked there were no 1.5Gb modules available and it is a bad idea to put in one 2Gb and one 1Gb module - or is it?) and has two slots for so-dimm ram.

Currently, it has two 512Mb modules in there and shopping around it looks like the cost of a single 2Gb is about the same price as two 1Gb.

So what do people recommend?
1 - Single 2Gb
2 - Double 1Gb
3 - 2Gb + 1Gb

(Note, talking about DDR2)

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

Well my computer has 2 RAM slots and I have some DDR2 memory in there, one is 2GB and one is 1GB. And it runs fine.

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

First you have to figure out if you have DDR or DDR2 memory. Otherwise you might get the wrong kind and it won't fit into the ram slot.

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

Dr Neo Lao wrote:

(Note, talking about DDR2)

Greenscreener Studios wrote:

First you have to figure out if you have DDR or DDR2 memory. Otherwise you might get the wrong kind and it won't fit into the ram slot.

Er...

I don't think it matters. 2 or 1.

-Don

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

Dr Neo Lao wrote:

(Note, talking about DDR2)

Oops... didn't see that. Ok, could you give me the motherboard model number? Because if it supports DDR2, it might be able to support 4gb.

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

4GB is only usefull on a 64-bit machine. 32 only uses 3.25GB RAM. Or are you on a 64-bit machine?

-Don

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

Off the top of my head, and if your limit really is 2GB, 2 singles would be better IF your mobo will support Dual Channel ram. However... If it doesn't I can't remember if there's a disadvantage to only running a single 2GB DIMM.

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

A dual channel is much better than a single channel.

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Re: RAM - single or several modules?

I have no idea how to work out what the mobo is, but it's a laptop - Acer Extensa 5220.

It's only a 32 bit system, hence the 3Gb max but I have not seen any hard numbers on single vs double ram chips. If it is a true dual channel system then you do get a slight efficiency boost (around 2% I've heard) but it is only a major advantage if you need to extract every ounce of performance for hardcore gaming.

Since it is an ageing laptop that I mainly use for light office work (email, browsing, spreadsheets and text documents) then I don't think that I'd need to go for maximum performance.

Currently, this machine is running Vista (Home Basic) which is what got me onto wanting to upgrade the ram (and possibly drop a bigger hdd in at the same time) but I was thinking of rolling back to XP anyway.

From what I've read thus far, I don't see any major reason not to go for Option 3 - 2Gb + 1Gb since I don't think this laptop supports dual-channel (in which case both chips would have to be the same) so 3Gb would leave plenty of overhead. Not that I'd probably be using it, except maybe when burning discs.

Thanks everyone for your comments. mini/smile

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