questions on memory(ram)

[thrazt]

hi there...currently i have 2x TwinMOS 512MB PC5300 DDR2 ram, i was wondering if it is good enough to run games like battlefield and how is it compared to other rams.

what advantages does a dual kit compared to a 2x of a similar ram eg. (dual kit 2x 1gig to a 2 individual 1gig ram).

Thanks in advance

[Agility]

In dual channel, your computer uses two ram stick and fill them up equally (or something). Meaning its like X2 speed of what your ram is. Eg. 400mhzX2. In single channel, it's based on one stick and one 400mhz only. Not really good at explaining but it's something like that. Correct me if i'm wrong.

[ex_reven]

Dual channel is faster. Thats all you really need to know lol.

When your not in dual channel, you dont get double data rate afaik

[Pinchy]

In regards to gaming, you wont see *much* of a difference between single and dual channel. However, for a game like Battlefied, you will see an increase from 1GB of RAM to 2GB of RAM.

[thrazt]

currently i have a 2x 512mb...my startup windows says its running at dual channel...i also have a 256mb spare from my old comp. but is DDR not DDR2 like the 2x 512mb. will it be better if i add the 256 or just leave it as it is?

[CH@NO]

If you mean adding the 256 MB DDR to you mobo (presume you have DDR and DDR2 slots on your mobo, you cant use DDR rams on DDR2 slots and vice versa)....you CANNOT join DDR and DDR2 together, only one type at a time, and if you want to receive Dual-Channel features your DDR2 ram's must be the same size, same or different speeds (if you have one with 533 and other with 667 the system will take the lower one) and of course, need a pair of them.

[Pinchy]

currently i have a 2x 512mb...my startup windows says its running at dual channel...i also have a 256mb spare from my old comp. but is DDR not DDR2 like the 2x 512mb. will it be better if i add the 256 or just leave it as it is?

Yeah, as already mentioned, you cant do that.

You are correct though...because you have 2x512mb chips, you ARE running in dual channel. But, even if you were to add an extra 256mb, you will still run in dual channel (there is no such thing as tri or quad channel, afaik).

If you want to upgrade, id say its best to get 2x1GB, especially for a game like Battlefield :).

[DanTheBanjoman]

A dual kit basically is the same as 2 individual equal sticks. They've just been tested to work. However performance wise there won't be a difference, compatibility simply is guaranteed.

1GB should be enough to play games, though newer games will prefer more, memory bandwidth comes second. When you don't have enough RAM bandwidth won't have much of an effect. However, once you have enough RAM, bandwidth is the way to further improve performance.