Dual channel ram

[Vincentm83]

I currently have a 2gb dual channel kit installed and was wondering If I install a 1gb single channel stick is it worth it losing the dual channel for the extra 1gb or should I keep as is?

[mjc]

Full specs...'cause as it stands the answer is a definite maybe.

[Vincentm83]

Asus M3A78-EM AM2 motherboard
450w BFG PSU
AMD 2.6 ghz dual core brisbane processor
No video card atm

Pretty simple setup right now. I was also curios why it only shows 1.7gb when I boot up and I have 2gb installed.

[jlreich]

I was also curios why it only shows 1.7gb when I boot up and I have 2gb installed.
Since you are using onboard video it is probably using 256MB of system ram.

For the most part you will benefit more from 2GB of dual channel than 3GB single channel. If you were talking 256 vs 1GB it would be a different story. But cutting your rams performance in half usually doesn't make sense. ;) If you are running vista it would make the 3GB more important, but not be by much in my opinion.

If you are running programs that can seriously benefit from that extra GB ram then you have to decide what is more important to you depending on your needs. But at the same time if you are running programs that can benefit from 3GB over 2GB I would much rather ditch the 1GB stick and get another dual channel kit, or get a matching stick to keep dual channel and have more ram. The best of both worlds. If getting another kit or matching stick is not an option right now, chances are you will be better off sticking with 2GB dual channel until you can get more.

[Vincentm83]

Ok thanks a lot. I will just wait until I can upgrade better. One last question though. Can I use another 2gb kit to top off at 4gb or do I need to buy a whole new kit of 2 2gb sticks? Thanks again!

[jlreich]

Yeah you can use different size sticks in the other channel. Just as long as you don't mix the sizes on the same channel you should be fine. :) You can even mix speeds in the same way but the system will use the slowest speed for all ram. That last part is a little more dependent on the particular chipset/mobo, but generally speaking it isn't a problem.

However, more than 4GB will not be seen or used unless you are running a 64bit OS.

[mjc]

For around $40 you can grab a pair of 2 GB sticks.

For around $30 you can grab a pair of 1 GB sticks.

For $40 you can double your RAM and have a pair of 1 GB to keep for something else or sell on ebay or the like (might get around $10 for the pair)...