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    1x1024mb versus 2x512mb - Which is better?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by fish_147, Nov 23, 2005.

  1. fish_147

    fish_147 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi

    I'm currently in the process of buying a new laptop, and I'm intrigued into which option of RAM upgrade is better:

    1x1GB stick (DDR2-533MHz)
    2x512mb sticks (DDR2-533MHz dual channel)

    Some retailers have quoted the latter option as the slightly more expensive making me think that this would be the optimal set up, contradicting my original thoughts that a single stick of ram would be faster. :confused:

    Can anyone help please
     
    fish_147, Nov 23, 2005
    #1
  2. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The second stick will be marginally faster if your laptop supports dual channel memory. Using 2 identical sticks will enable dual channel which basically increases memory bandwidth. But the real world performance improvement is negligible or not noticable.

    The 1X1024MB stick will provide for easier future upgrade. But if you don't see yourself upgrading to 2GB then 2X512MB is also good.
     
    miner, Nov 23, 2005
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  3. Naptop

    Naptop Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks!

    That answers my question too.
     
    Naptop, Nov 23, 2005
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  4. Shagrath

    Shagrath Notebook Consultant

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    How do u know this ive read a couple people post this, its time to start picking on somone for this ive seen a lot of bandwagoners. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/133/5
     
    Shagrath, Nov 23, 2005
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  5. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    miner, Nov 23, 2005
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  6. madmike23

    madmike23 Notebook Deity

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    Well there are some systems that will take advantage of "Dual Channel" acceleration, but the increase isn't that much. If you want to future-proof your system so you can upgrade in the future, I'd say go with the single stick.
     
    madmike23, Nov 23, 2005
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  7. fish_147

    fish_147 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I don't think either of those two links shows a 1gb single channel vs. a 1gb dual channel. Does anyone have any graphs depicting the test results of these two options alongside one another?
     
    fish_147, Nov 23, 2005
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  8. davez82

    davez82 Notebook Consultant

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    get 1x 1gb so then if you want 2 gb u havve a slot for it. dont buy a laptop with ram in it get it from newegg or something.
     
    davez82, Nov 23, 2005
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  9. fish_147

    fish_147 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oh, seeing as most of you guys/gals are in the US, would someone be able to do me a massive favour by ringing AGearNotebooks.com (1-866-863-4784) for me

    I just need to know how much it'll cost to ship an Asus Z70va to the UK, and how long could I expect it to take.

    It's coz no-one will answer my emails and I'm desperate to order from them. I know it's a lot to ask, but if someone could help me out I will forever be at their mercy
     
    fish_147, Nov 23, 2005
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  10. davez82

    davez82 Notebook Consultant

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    dual channel is not worth blocking any future possible upgrades to 2gb.
     
    davez82, Nov 23, 2005
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  11. jabba1900

    jabba1900 Notebook Geek

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    fish, if they don't answer your e-mails you might want to reconsider ordering from them in the first place...
     
    jabba1900, Nov 23, 2005
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  12. fish_147

    fish_147 Notebook Enthusiast

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    that's true. But theyre the only company that'll ship the exact specification model I want to the UK, and I've heard good reviews about them as a company, albeit bad customer service in my instance.
     
    fish_147, Nov 23, 2005
    #12