RAM upgrade question... need your input.

Currently, I have a Dell Latitude D630 with 1GB of DDR667 RAM (1 DIMM). Which upgrade would you choose, if cost was the same? Add one 2GB DDR667 DIMM (for a total of 3GB), which would run in single-channel mode or get 2 new 1GB DDR800 (total of 2GB), which should run in dual-channel mode?

Thanks for your input.

 

If you play FPS game or any program that exchange great amount of data consistantly, you will notice the gain from dual channel 2GB PC6400. If all you do is multi-tasking with 10 programs plus 50 webpages open at the same time, you better off with 1GB extra of RAM. However, I don't recommend to to run RAM sticks from different manufacture (which may have different IC chips). It will work but you the possibility of error is higher.

 

Add one 2GB DDR667 DIMM for a total of 3GB.

 

If it cost the same then go with the 2GB DDR 667 to make 3GB.

 

So, I have 1 vote for the 2GB of DDR800 in dual-channel and 2 votes for the 3GB of DDR667 in single-channel.

Anybody else have an opinion and/or explanation of which would be better?

I don't do any gaming, but I do create .pdf documents from complex maps, while having 5 or 6 programs running, each using a fair amount of RAM. Then, of course, there are all the Windows XP standard processes running.

Thanks again for your input.

 

I just did some reading on the RAM Hot Deals discussion. Seems that my system will not take advantage of the 800MHz RAM anyhow. So I guess that means I should get the 2GB of 667MHz RAM.

Does anyone know how much RAM Windows XP Pro (32-bit) will recognize - 3GB or 4GB?

Thanks.

 

32bit OS's support 2^32 bytes (or 4GB of memory max). Even if you put 4GB of RAM in, you can't use it all because the system has to use some of that 2^32 bytes of addresses for system hardware. You'll only get about 3.25-3.5GB of RAM available.

 

Get a 2GB module for yourself.., they are dirt cheap now, for as low as $60 at buy.com and may be at other stores too....

by the way, cost would never be the same, single module will always be costlier than the 2 module kit....

 

Nope, even if you get a 800 MHz module, it will be down clocked to 667 MHz, so it will be a waste of money.......

XP Pro 32 bit will recognize anywhere between 3-4GB based on the shared video memory your system uses.......

 

Thanks for the help.

What I meant by either option being the same price is that I could get 2 X 1GB of DDR800 or 1 X 2GB of DDR667 for the same price. I buy all my RAM from Crucial. I actually have a discount (usualy between 10-15%) there since I have purchased so many times.