The Llama

I have an Opteron 148 coming tomorrow along with 2 x 1GB sticks. I already have in the house 2 x 1GB sticks. Is it better to have all 4 in there, or is it better to just go with the 2 x 1GB.
The timings on the new RAM are 3-4-4-8 and on the old RAM are similar. All are DDR 400.
I'm still not solid on why less RAM can be better, but the reading I've been doing suggest this can be the case. However, I'd have to imagine that 4GB of RAM would be able to provide somebenefit.
Any opinions would be appreciated.

__________________
A simile is like a metaphor.

YiffyGriffy

Well firstly, Windows XP cannot address more than 2GB of RAM without some modification to the boot.ini file, and even then it only supports a maximum of 3GB, so you've just wasted 1GB right there. Secondly, unless you're doing a plethora of crap at once (which if you're running a single core AMD processor you have no business doing), the need for a lot of RAM isn't there, applications only use so much. Thirdly, more RAM places more stress on the memory controller, which will limit overclocking and force you to run the RAM at 2T command rate, reducing memory bandwidth.

__________________
Went almost two years without any major system overhauls, so I'm treating myself

exhausted mule

i think it might be something that windows only register 2 gig?

not sure. but that's the only reason i can think that would contribute to the idea of "2 gig is max"

edit: i see that yiffy has got it.

The_Jester

could he not keep the extra ram anyway and put it in when vista comes out - surely he benefit, even if the bandwidth was limited

__________________
"Trance had become a dirty word. Thanks to Ian Van Dahl, Lasgo, Flip 'N' Fill and DJ Sammy, a generation of kids has grown up thinking trance is the ****tiest music since country and western." - Paul Van Dyk

YiffyGriffy

Like I said, unless you're doing a lot of things at once that dictates a large amount of RAM, there's no real benefit, otherwise it just sits there. The only true benefit to large amounts of RAM is you can then disable your pagefile, which can get rid of sudden choppyness occasionally. If you've already bought it, may as well use it, but it's not necessary in the least.

__________________
Went almost two years without any major system overhauls, so I'm treating myself

HrnyGoat

2GB is plenty, heck 1GB is plenty unless you play BF2, which hogs tons of memory due to poor coding.

__________________
FAQ: What are FB-DIMMs?
FAQ: How does ECC (Error Correcting Code) work?

The definitive 360 vs PS3 guide

Have an X1900/1950, X1800 or X1600 series card? Fold with it!

The Llama

Yeah, it's not like I don't have a use for the RAM. There's at least 5 working computers in the house and it will have a happy home. The system in my sig will still be around in some fashion, and I'll put it there. I didn't know that XP could only address 2 gig. I do play HL2 and CoD 2 quite a bit, both of which enjoy more RAM, but I think I will stick to the 2GB Dual Channel setup. The RAM I have coming is matched to the Asus mobo I bought, so I'm not worried I wasted any money. Perhaps when Vista is available and not buggy I'll switch the RAM back over.

Thanks for the education.

__________________
A simile is like a metaphor.

jrabb1920

Find out which pair is the best, then put the others in one of the other computers that might need them.

soloz2

if you run 64bit windows or media center 05 then it can handle all 4 gigs

__________________
Please do not PM me general audio questions that should be asked on the open forum. I reserve the right to ignore your PM's.

Current Sound: SA tweaked Auzen X-Fi Prelude > SA Reference IC > Musical Paradise MP-301 6v6 tube amp> Tekton Designs 4.1 single driver loudspeakers

Feedback: Heatware Ebay