What´s better, Fual Channel or more RAM?

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alaintroll

alaintroll

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Jan 22, 2009
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HI there! I have an AsRock h61 mobo, and i3 3220 and only 2 GB DDR3 1600. I´m considering to buy extra RAM, but i´m actually between these choices:
1- buy the "twin" of my own RAM, and enable the Dual Channel mode at 1600 for a total of 4GB.
2- buy a 4 GB RAM at 1333, and keep the Single Channel mode but having 6 GB now.

the prices are the same and i cannot consider another option right now. Thanks
 
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You'll likely get better performance from running 4 GB in dual-channel than 6 GB in single-channel. You'll find that you won't always use up all 6 GB, but you will always use the RAM at dual-channel speeds. The point of diminished returns however, as it's been tested by Tom's a while back, is somewhere between 8 GB and 16 GB, depending on the application, so it isn't that there are no gains to be had with 6 GB, just that you will likely benefit more from the increased bandwidth.

On the other hand, if you really find yourself needing 6 GB of RAM, it's more likely that is still not enough. Plus, as jitpublisher said, all of this is moot if you're not running an x64 operating system.
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jitpublisher

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4gb is plenty enough for most users, unless you are working with large files constantly, or a very heavy multitasking. If you are running a 32 bit OS, you cannot use more than 4 gig anyway, you need a 64 bit OS to use more than 4gig. Remember also it is not advised to mix memory types or brands.
 
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bigpinkdragon286

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You'll likely get better performance from running 4 GB in dual-channel than 6 GB in single-channel. You'll find that you won't always use up all 6 GB, but you will always use the RAM at dual-channel speeds. The point of diminished returns however, as it's been tested by Tom's a while back, is somewhere between 8 GB and 16 GB, depending on the application, so it isn't that there are no gains to be had with 6 GB, just that you will likely benefit more from the increased bandwidth.

On the other hand, if you really find yourself needing 6 GB of RAM, it's more likely that is still not enough. Plus, as jitpublisher said, all of this is moot if you're not running an x64 operating system.
 
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alaintroll

alaintroll

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After the upgrade i´m going to install Windows 8 Pro 64 bits edition. I use the computer for programing in Visual Studio, and casual entertainment. So you think is better to use the dual channel mode? i´m not going to buy a dedicated graphic card, i´m using the Intel HD Graphics 2500, so in dual channel mode it should perform even better, isn´t it?
 
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bigpinkdragon286

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Good call with Windows 8 Pro x64. You will probably want the newer VS for Desktop under Windows 8, as the upgrade advisor whines about the older version being incompatible, which actually isn't true, but the newer version is pretty slick if you haven't tried it.

Yes, it will perform better with dual-channel. Integrated graphics rely heavily on bandwidth to main memory. I do some Visual Studio work myself, and you'll not benefit from the extra 2 GB RAM as you will the dual-channel.
 
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