Memory recommendation

[jeffchele]

I am getting an ECS KA3 MVP with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ cpu. The system will only have 512 MB DDR2-800. I want to get at least 1GB more of DDR2-800. I am not sure whether I should get a 1GB stick or a matched 512 MB pair. Which would be better to add to the 512 MB already in the computer and how much would it matter one way or the other. I will not overclock anything.

 

[AdamBomb42]

Always go for the matched pair. Big performance difference between single and dual-channel.

 

[jeffchele]

But what about the 512 mb stick that will be in the computer. Will it work well with the matched pair or should i take it out. I have not seen articles on using matched with unmatched memory and can't find anything on the net about it.

 

[nobly]

Its a big difference in theoretical performance.
However in real-life, dual channel memory gives you somewhere under 10% improvement.

To the OP:
First tell us exactly what you have.
You have 1x512MB or 2x256MB? 1 stick or 2 sticks of RAM currently?

Do you care about dual channel? How much is the $ difference between 1x1GB and 2x512MB for the new RAM? How much memory do you want total?

 

[jeffchele]

I do not have the computer yet. It will have 512MB DDR2-800 in it, probably value select. I want to get some more memory and want to also look to the future when i will probably want more. for now I want to get about 1GB more. Is 2x512MB matched better than a !GB stick with the 512MB that will already be in the computer.

 

[jeffchele]

Thanks for the info but i already know all this. I am getting the 5000+ due to the issues you are talking about. The 5200 is a bit over what i want to spend and the 5000 is better than the 4800 without overclocking. I am using this system to review other things, memory will probably be later but i already have a video card and some other things. Overclocking won't be happening on this syetm till much later. I will not overclock memory until i have a few extra sticks lying around. I may not then but for now want some more memory for my system.

 

[jake4d1]

Is there something wrong with corsair?

 

[jake4d1]

What about OCZ's PC-6400?

 

[jake4d1]

Well, I'm getting a Gigabyte DS3 board anyways.