2Gb double channel or 2+1gb single channel?

Hello everyone,
I need help on choosing the upgrade for my notebook.
After browsing the pages on this forum.
i think this should be the correct place for me to ask for suggestion
Below are the spec of my compaq presario v3313TU






I am running on window xp.
for this notebook.the main purpose i using it to play game.
What i need is open multiple window of this game.
i am not expert in hardware.
So is 2+1gb larger ram or 1+1gb double channel works better for me?
thank you.

 

Larger RAM, if anything.

 

Seconded. More memory > dual channel/faster memory, though above 4GB typically you won't notice any difference unless you actually run programs that will utilize that amount.

 

THat game looks HELLA fun! What is it called?
Everquest: Brushstroke of Legend?
or World of Whitespace?

 

None...
Get a dual channel 2x2GB Ram. 2x2GB Sodimm kits can be had for as low as $10-15. 1x1GB dual channel can cost more and 2+1GB ram will cost even more.

 

There's not a lot of difference in memory bandwidth and more RAM usually helps overall performance because there is less use of the swap file. See the dual channel RAM guide. I would tend to get 1 x 2GB to add to whatever you have now.

BTW, Alt + Prnt Sctn or Alt + Fn + Prnt Scrn will capture only the active window, not the whole display.

John

 

Thanks for everyone replied, i think the conclusion is
larger ram >> dual channel

and thanks john for the link..
it sounds like single/dual is not so significant for intel processor right?

by the way, i just discovered a webpage
http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_results.aspx?ref=mem&modelid=80032754
it states my compaq presario v3313 only support Maximum Memory of 2gb..

so sad...
so 1+1gb dual channel will only give me
-512mb extra
-and a 10% increased performance based on dual channel?

eqmiami, this game is named as Qworld

 

Yes.

Can you check which Intel chipset? There was a generation of notebooks with the Intel 945 chipset where the chipset could handle 2GB modules but the notebooks usually did not indicate compatibility because no modules were affordable for testing at the time the notebook specs were published.

John

 

huh? i am sorry.. how to check?
i emailed hp technical support to confirm the maximum 2gb ram support.

 

The driver page says 945GM, but to make sure, you could download Everest Ultimate trial edition, or PC Wizard.


edit: gah, I can't believe I missed this one..

 

dual channel is a very small boost, not even enough to notice or see in real life, you would only see a small difference in a memory benchmark.

that said if your chipset is newer it has something called asymmetric dual channel, where it can run dual channel mode with an odd amount of ram like 2+1gb.

I would just go for the 3gb, if you ever do something that requires more than 2gb of ram it will pay off in spades, and Vista and Win 7 can use the extra ram to speed things up with super fetch.

If you never use more than 2gb the gains from dual channel are not noticeable and again you may have use of asymmetric dual channel.

If you have 1+1gb now, you can just get a single 2gb so-dimm.

If you have 512+512mb or something like that, may as well hunt for a cheap 2+2gb kit.

 

The mainboard page of CPU-z. will give the info. it will also give details of your current RAM.

I wouldn't rely on the technical support to give you the correct answer about the maximum RAM - they will look at the published specs.

However, there is a small chance that HP may have fixed the BIOS to only use 2GB maximum RAM. A few manufacturers did that. Do you know anyone who has a 2GB module in their notebook which you could borrow for a few minutes?

John

 

I tot this page is the less important one..lol


i don think have anyone around me using 2gb.
thanks