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    Is 4GB of RAM in new laptops a form of planned obsolescence?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Peon, Jan 12, 2013.

  1. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Right. Dual channel is most important for IGP, but also can add some boost to the system. Even asymmetrical dual channel is darn near the performance of symmetrical (i.e. 1x4GB + 1x2GB asymmetrical, 2x4GB symmetrical), and can make or break the performance of a machine.
     
    HTWingNut, Jan 15, 2013
    #51
  2. lidowxx

    lidowxx Notebook Deity

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    Performance gain from dual channel setup is generally overrated, I tested in my m17x with 4GB+4GB and 4GB+4GB+2GB+2GB in various benchmark programs(3dmarks, passmark, cinebenchR10). 2x4GB setup leads about 1-5% in all the tests, mostly it's 2%, in real world scenario, those difference is definitely indiscernable. I was hoping to see bigger differences but the results turned out to be quite disappointing.

    But I agree with HTwingnut it might help laptops with IGPs more, as they have no dedicated video memory.
     
    lidowxx, Jan 15, 2013
    #52
  3. Qing Dao

    Qing Dao Notebook Deity

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    Uh, both things you tested were dual channel. But with two dimms per channel performance takes a tiny hit, which you noticed.
     
    Qing Dao, Jan 15, 2013
    #53
  4. lidowxx

    lidowxx Notebook Deity

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    You have to install 2x4GB and 2X2GB into the correct sockets in order to enable dual channel mode. I was well aware of this when I did the test, I purposely mixed 4GB+2GB to avoid dual channel, so the results are still correct.
     
    lidowxx, Jan 15, 2013
    #54
  5. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    I think this thread has run aground..
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jan 15, 2013
    #55
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