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3gb of RAM?

Post Date: 2008-03-24
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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: 3gb of RAM?
    Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 2:15pm

So I had a stick of memory die on me over the weekend so I am stuck with 1gb on my Vista 32 machine.  It's not really slow or anything but I can't play games like the Witcher at ALL since it's a hog. 

I just ordered a new set of RAM but since it comes in pairs I will have a total of 3gb.  Would it be smart to put 3gb of RAM in my system?  Does dual-channel mode really make a difference if I just used 2?  I feel that I would be just wasting memory if I had a 1gb stick just sitting around not being used.  Obviously I am on 32 bit vista so there won't be much of a difference.  I just want to know if it would be better to run 2gb or 3gb.
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 2:52pm
2gb dual channel will be better for you since you will only be adding an extra 512mb if you used the 3rd stick.
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EdH63 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1826 		  Quote EdH63 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 3:03pm
Originally posted by skyR

2gb dual channel will be better for you since you will only be adding an extra 512mb if you used the 3rd stick.


If I did this would I see any improvement?  Faster OS?  Not that it's slow, but just curious because I'm thinking of doing this too and thinking of upgrading to a 64bit OS sooner than later..


Edited by EdH63 - 24 Mar 2008 at 3:04pm
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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 3:19pm
cool, I'll just hold on to the extra stick for when/if I ever go 64-bit.  Is dual-channel set up automatically or do i need to do anything.
QX6850 @ 3.33ghz
Nvidia 680i A1
4gb pc1066 RAM
2x GTX 275s
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 3:20pm
Originally posted by EdH63

If I did this would I see any improvement?  Faster OS?  Not that it's slow, but just curious because I'm thinking of doing this too and thinking of upgrading to a 64bit OS sooner than later..


It's situational.

If you multi-task or use ram intensive software, the more ram the better.

If you just game, usually dual channel is better.

Originally posted by nomec

cool, I'll just hold on to the extra stick for when/if I ever go 64-bit.  Is dual-channel set up automatically or do i need to do anything.


The ram sticks has to be in slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 for dual channel. The motherboard usually has the ram slots color coded (same colour = dual channel eg: blue + blue or red + red).


Edited by skyR - 24 Mar 2008 at 3:24pm
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EdH63 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1826 		  Quote EdH63 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 3:34pm
Thanks, skyR.  When I do this, I'd just get the same exact RAM set that I have right now, correct?
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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 3:57pm
Originally posted by skyR

The ram sticks has to be in slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 for dual channel. The motherboard usually has the ram slots color coded (same colour = dual channel eg: blue + blue or red + red).
 
I see.  I assume running 3gb wont hurt though.. can't 32 bit Vista recognize up to 3gb or is that wrong?  I didnt know how much of a difference it makes with dual channel running so I am curious.
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4gb pc1066 RAM
2x GTX 275s
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
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Dashuu View Drop Down
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Posts: 407 		  Quote Dashuu Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 4:07pm
EdH63, it's best to get matching memory. Basically, RAM matches the slowest speed that's in the system. So if you get faster memory, you'll be ok. It'll just slow down the faster memory so that it matches. If you get slower memory though, it will slow down the rest of your RAM so that it matches. 
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EdH63 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1826 		  Quote EdH63 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Mar 2008 at 4:21pm
Gotcha.  I'll probably just get the identical RAM to what I have now.  Thank you kind sir!
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