Dual channel vs. LOTS of single channel RAM?

Hey all, I have an Asus Z96Js that died a couple months ago. I recently revived it by getting ahold of a used motherboard. Turns, out one of the two RAM slots is bad.

I have two 1GB modules, but can only use one at a time in the working slot (duh).

I guess my question is, how much of a performace difference can I expect if I get a single 2GB RAM module for the good slot -- compared to the performance I previously had with my last motherboard and two 1GB modules working together?

Other specs:

Core 2 Duo T7200
Mobility X1600 (Z96Js standard)
Windows 7 64-bit (legal copy)

My practical side speculates it should be pretty transparent, but the nerd side of me wants to think that obviously the same amount of ram operating in dual-channel mode will make a noticeable difference.

 

Don't worry, you're not going to notice any difference.

 

Are you positive the one RAM slot is bad?

Have you switched sticks, tried one/other etc.?

Just want to make sure you don't give up too easily - maybe you somehow zapped your one RAM module?

As to your direct question:

Trottel is correct: don't worry about it.

An additional point to consider though is this: with only 2GB RAM maximum possible in your system, you may be better off with Win7x86 instead?

I know, I can't believe I'm recommending an x86 O/S over x64!

But in your situation, it may be the best overall solution - assuming of course that your 2nd RAM slot really is bad in the first place.

Hope some of this helps,

Good luck.

 

Trottle is correct, the difference between a single 2gig stick and dual 1gig sticks is only going to be noticeable under test conditions and even then it's minor.

It's possible your two one gig sticks just will not play together. Get the 2gig single and put a 1gig in the second slot, 3gigs in single channel are MUCH better than 2gigs in dual channel.

And Tilleroftheearth is also correct in recommending x86. In most cases with 2-3gigs you are better off that way, though some systems just plain run better on 64bit, such as the later model Sony SZ notebooks. 3-4gigs is where you would normally want to recommend 64bit.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the replies!!

This is my 2nd 2GB kit from Newegg (Crucial 1GB x 2). I feel a little guilty that I assumed the first kit was bad and RMA'd it. I tried my original 2 sticks from years ago, the 2 sticks from the kit I RMA'd, and the 2 sticks from this kit, and ALSO the 1 stick from my EeePC. I'm pretty sure it's a bad slot, unless it's possible the T7200 can have something to do with accessing the 2nd slot.

I am not very smart on 64-bit vs 32-bit operating systems. I've always been under the impression that 64-bit is better if you have the CPU (and drivers for all the hardware) to support it ... I didn't know it could be dependent of amount of RAM installed ...

Thanks again for the replies!! This forum is full of professionalism, and thank you for that!

 

Core 2 mem controllers are on the chipset, nothing to do with the CPU.

The single channel will drop any 3d app performance significantly, but other than that not much.

 

leslieann and Tilleroftheearth,

Why do you guys say a 32-bit OS could be beneficial in my case?

 

A 64-bit OS can run on any amount of RAM, it's just that technically you can have up to 2^64bits of memory instead of 2^32. However in Windows, you won't be able to use more than 4GB (including GPU memory) in 32-bit

 

That's true with integrated graphics, but not so much with a discreet gpu. In his case, outside of memory bandwidth benchmarks, there will be no appreciable difference.

 

Hey Trottel, I'm not meaning to be a grammar n*zi but just wanted to let you know that it's 'discrete' GPU (a separate unit), 'discreet' means to do so carefully.

 

We are saying 32bit will likely be better because 64bit carries more overhead in that it caries not only 64bit system, but also loads a 32bit sub system. 64bit needs extra ram to compensate. It will run fine on 2gigs, but really 64bit will only start to show an advantage after to hit 4gigs.

Also, as mentioned, the 32bit system means more complications in the file system, more files, more drive space, etc... Some programs make a mess up startup entries in 64bit.

Basically in most cases, you just won't get anything from 64bit until you reach 4gigs, so why bother with it.

 

Thanks, that was careless of me.