DDR: 2 sticks or 1?

[kJoe1984]

I am building a new pc around the Shuttle SN41G2 mini-pc. Most of it's use will be non-intensive business apps, but for once I'd like to be able to run a game like UT2003 smoothly at 1024x768 or better.

I'm looking at throwing in an Athlon XP 2200+, which I believe is at 266fsb.

I've deduced that ddr 2100 ram is fine since it runs in sync w/ the cpu at 266.
My question is: do I buy one 512MB 2100 stick of ram, or two sticks of 256MB 2100 to get the best performance. I have no desire to overclock, as I'd like to keep the pc as cool and quiet as possible.

I haven't built a pc since the P3 PC133 days, so I'm a bit out of the loop about all the ddr lingo. Any help?

 

[Prof133]

I'm looking at throwing in an Athlon XP 2200+, which I believe is at 266fsb.

That is correct. I would choose the 2400+ processor though. Doesn't cost too much more than 2200+.

I've deduced that ddr 2100 ram is fine since it runs in sync w/ the cpu at 266.

I recommend PC2700 or PC3200 memory. More usable for a possible future motherboard. And both can run at PC2100 speed.

My question is: do I buy one 512MB 2100 stick of ram, or two sticks of 256MB 2100 to get the best performance.

At least two sicks highly recommended for the nforce2 chipset. In which case, Dual DDR is in effect - increases bandwidth and reduces latency.

 

[kJoe1984]

So you say it would be worth it to go with the Athlon XP 2400+ instead of the 2200+? I checked some prices at newegg.com and it looks like a difference of about $20.

Would it be worth it to spend an extra $50 to go for the Athlon XP 2600+ to get the 333fsb?

Would this give enough speed increase over the 2200+ to warrant the extra $70?

 

[Prof133]

I would spend the extra $$$ for the 2600+(333MHz FSB) for what looks to be a computer that won't recieve a processor upgrade in the future and won't be overclocked. At least PC2700 memory in this case. Two memory modules.