A bit confused on RAM.....

Hey there

I understand that the amount of RAM detected by a 32 bit operating system is just over 3GB, also 64 bit OS supports the full 4GB.

The question is, keeping in mind that one wants to max the RAM and decides to go for 32 bit operating system, what should he/she do?

1) Put 2GB (1GB+1GB (same type)) dual channel RAM
2) Put 3GB (2GB+1GB (same type)) ?Dual Channel? RAM

I guess i am confused - which one is better two same size RAMs or Two different Size RAMs (but same type).

MadEng

 

Go for the 3GB. Dual channel is negligible with performance; e.g. you will see more of a performance boost from having the 3GB than from having dual channel 2GB

 

3GB does run in Dual Channel on any current Intel chipset. The Intel name for it is "Flex Memory" the generic term is “asymmetric RAM array”. Dual Channel (Intel) gives about 10% bandwidth increase. 10% increase does not equal 10% system improvement. In many (most) applications makes no difference. In other RAM intensive applications I have seen benches that show 2% to 3% increase max in system performance. So as said Dual channel not really critical but it is free so you should use.

3GB vs 2GB- The way it works with “asymmetric RAM array” is whatever can match up will "true Dual Channel" so with 3GB's 2GB's can match up so "dual Channel" 128bit bus, the last 1GB will run Single Channel 64bit. Now because of how RAM works the most used RAM will front load (=Dual) the last 1GB would mostly be used when when the 2GB setup would go to page file (HDD) very slow compared to RAM. So real world I see no downside to 3GB's vs 2GB's, 3GB=less HDD hits. A little more info here.