Need advise for W3V

I have an Asus W3V came with 512 DD2 Ram. Wonder if I can add one more 1GB DDR2 or is better to add 512 DDR2? Because i saw this from sony website about the 2 modules have to been same capicity inorder for better performance. Is it true?

*If memory modules of the same capacity are installed to both of the two memory module slots, computer will run in dual channel mode and provide better performance.

http://vaio-online.sony.com/prod_info/vgn-s38gp_b/specifications.html

 

Yes, if it is dual channel, which I believe the W3 is, you need an identical stick. I know that means the same size, but it probably means the same frequency and possibly even more parameters need to be the same. Somebody else might have the answer to this latter part.

So, in a nutshell, yes. They need to be the same for dual channel. However, I bet you'll have much better performance adding a gig stick and NOT running dual channel than adding a 512 AND running dual channel. I can't give you #'s though. Sorry.

 

Ok so what u mean is 1x1GHz will be better than 2x512MB?

 

No, the way I read it he means:

1) Dual channel setup: 1 x 1gig + 1 x 512mb (original)

is better than

2) Non-dual channel setup: 2 x 512mb (one being the original)

He is saying the 1.5gig total memory performs better than the 1gig total, though the latter would be utilizing the dual channel capabilities.

 

My Corsair value select module makes the W3V uses Dual Channel. It actually runs faster than before.

[l]ikwid.[f]uzion

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'> Originally posted by CertDude

No, the way I read it he means:

1) Dual channel setup: 1 x 1gig + 1 x 512mb (original)

is better than

2) Non-dual channel setup: 2 x 512mb (one being the original)

He is saying the 1.5gig total memory performs better than the 1gig total, though the latter would be utilizing the dual channel capabilities.

<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

CertDude your explanation is correct but the labels are backwards..

The Dual-channel is the one with both stick with same capacity (2 x 512mb)

C.

 

I've been looking for a new laptop, and after some time I've finally decided to get the W3V. I appreciate everyone's info and thoughts here, it has been very useful.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll upgrade the memory after a while but had some concerns/questions about dual channel ram.

Although I doubt there will be a problem with many brands of ram, I'd want to use something I know doesnt have any compatibilty problems, and has been tested on the system. I've also heard that even using different brands of dual channel ram with exact same specs can cause stability problems, any of you think that really a concern? What brand is the included 512MB module? Other than just the ram being a 512mb pc4200 533 so-dimm, do any other specs need to be matched other than CAS latency? (Looks like they're all 4 though)

thanks

 

Hey Justin, When you get a chance, can you take a nice picture of the W5 and W3V side by side and post it somewhere in here.

I'd really appreciate it [8D]

 

Thats not a bad idea..... sure.. I'll throw the V6 in there for good measure. Let me try to do it tomorrow.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Well right now the latancy on every 1gb ddr2 533 stick I've seen is 4... when corsair finally puts out some XMS2 sticks, we can expect to see that go down to atleast 3 if not 2.

Dual channel is negligible...... but it's a benefit... the 400 to 533mhz bandwidth is just about as negligible too, but you'd probably rather it.

Where the issue becomes apparent is more when someone wants to scrap the 512mb stick that comes in the W3 for "a matching pair".... since someone like corsair doesn't make matched sticks for ddr2 so-dimms yet, it shouldn't even be in the realm of possibilities.... even when they do, will you ever notice the difference? Probably not, but you'll certainly know that you've done everything to your system to have it run it's best.

The funny thing is, usually the people who want the 2.1ghz cpu, the 7200rpm drive and say 2gb of XMS, are usually the people who you'll find 1500 viruses and 500 pieces of spyware on their system a few months after they bought it. That's just my experience, but just because you have the money to do it, and the know how to max out your system, doesn't mean you'll ever make use of it or that you even know how to take care of your computer.

I wouldn't freak out about dual channel..... aside from it being a marketable benefit to the system, real world performance increases will be seen by less than 1% of people who can actually make use of it.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

anyone want to run down a small list of dual channel benefits. all i can remember is that real world performance was negligible.

ps. i wanted to be the only one in columbus with the w3v [ !]

 

I think in some article Toms Hardware concluded that there's about a 5% increase in performance (That might have included the whole Sonoma processor/chipset/bus speed, in addition to the ram, not sure).

I just figured since I'll eventually upgrade the ram, I might as well take advantage of dual channel, since it at least helps a little.

I'm still a little confused about dual channel ram in general...

So I guess any 2 brands of equal size 533MHz 4200 ram modules will be dual channel, but same brand (or furthermore matched pair) might give some extra benefit (more stable)?

Which brand does Asus put in it?


PS eightone yeah I noticed you're from Columbus too. I'm ordering mine Monday, so maybe you still have the only one in the city... for now

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Cyber6

CertDude your explanation is correct but the labels are backwards..

The Dual-channel is the one with both stick with same capacity (2 x 512mb)

C.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Thanks for pointing that out Cyber6. Switch the labels and it is correct. Can't believe I managed to screw up such a simple explanation. []

 

[/quote]

Thanks for pointing that out Cyber6. Switch the labels and it is correct. Can't believe I managed to screw up such a simple explanation. [ ]

[/quote]

Hey, it was my post that required three people to try to clarify!!![ ]