512mb + 512mb Vs 1024mb + 256mb (ram)

Hello
I am going to upgrade the RAM in my Compaq Presario V2000 laptop; it currently has two 256MB SO-DIMM sticks.

Will it be faster if I put in two 512MB sticks.. due to dual channel mode? (if thats the right name for it, where it doubles the bandwidth) when comparing to a single 1024MB stick.

Or will the speed difference not be great enough, to be better than the increased capacity of 1024MB+256MB (one of the old sticks).

Thanks

 

Dual Channel won't really double your bandwidth. Intel maybe 10%. What CPU or chipset or model Compaq do you have as it may make no difference.

 

what's the max capacity of your laptop? 1024+256 is probably faster than 2 512's. dual channel helps performance slightly but more memory is always better.

 

Go for more RAM rather than dual channel; the latter doesn't give noticeable gains in performance.

 

Crucial.com says your laptop doesn't support dual-channel anyway . Not sure if it's accurate but it's what they claim...

Either way I think more ram would be better. Consider going to 2GB as RAM is pretty cheap now and that is your max, might as well take advantage of it.

 

Thanks Greg that's what I was looking for I guess my reading skills are off right now as I rescanned and still missed model #.

 

Crucial says all the V2000 models don't support dual channel which seems pretty strange . Dual channel is kind of antiquated now anyway right?

 

Guys please do not misdirect the OP.
His laptop is not dual channel capable because it uses PC2700 DDR sodimm memory.
DDR memory does not need dual channel technology to work. DDR works at its own clock speeds, rather than 2 clocks per Mhz like DDR2 memory.

You will want to purchase PC2700 ddr sodimm memory. It should cost around $55 a GB in the USA.

Neither situation will be faster, both will be the same.
However to get the most out of your memory put the highest capacity chip in the first slot. That way you are using the higher density memory first.

K-TRON

 

... what? Are you suggesting that dual channel and dual data rate (DDR) share a meaning? I'm either misunderstanding, or you've very confused.... though I know you're usually very knowledgeable so I think I am misunderstanding.



to the OP, I personally would get the 1GB, that way when you want to put in another gig you're not faced with the same question. You'll know at that point: take out the 256 and put in a 1GB.

 

Is it the case then that all DDR memory isn't dual channel capable and DDR2 is? Looks like Crucial was right on.

 

DDR memory is not dual channel capable. The bandwidth of ddr memory will be the same whether you use two different brands of two identical sticks, given that all memory has the same frequency.

However, this is most likely to indepth for the OP,
Basically just buy PC2700 ddr sodimm memory and ererything will work fine.

K-TRON

 

DDR memory certainly is dual channel capable...

 

Man, tonight is not my night.
I will leave it to you guys to discuss ddr and clocks

K-TRON

 

Haha, it's alright man. We all have our nights. You might've been thinking about when DDR first came out before Dual Channel boards were available, such as on Athlon XP systems. Or maybe you were thinking SD.

 

doesn't the ddr in ddr/ddr2/ddr3 etc. mean double data rate?

 

Yes, it does.

 

Thanks everyone, I'm placing an order for a 1gb stick shortly, $85 AU for PC3200.