Question about RAM (Number of DIMMS)

Hi.

I'm looking to built my first PC and I want 4GB of RAM. I was looking
online for information on, would it be better to have 4 DIMMS of 1GB
or 2 DIMMS of 2GB ? I can't seem to find a definate answer on this.
Also, 2GB DIMMS are hard to find too so I might as well go with 4
times 1GB right?

Thanks.

Robert Langlois wrote:
> Hi.
>
> I'm looking to built my first PC and I want 4GB of RAM. I was looking
> online for information on, would it be better to have 4 DIMMS of 1GB
> or 2 DIMMS of 2GB ? I can't seem to find a definate answer on this.
> Also, 2GB DIMMS are hard to find too so I might as well go with 4
> times 1GB right?




2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB is the way to go in dual-channel motherboards.

a) it's less expensive b) few if any desktop motherboards support 4GB
modules

http://www.crucial.com/store/listmod...DR2+PC2%2D5300



What operating system do you plan on using ? Windows XP 32-bit can not use
the full 4GB.

64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, Linux, and *BSD all support 4GB RAM
and higher.

On Sep 23, 3:20 pm, "Russell C" <ru...@example.net> wrote:
> Robert Langlois wrote:
> > Hi.
>
> > I'm looking to built my first PC and I want 4GB of RAM. I was looking
> > online for information on, would it be better to have 4 DIMMS of 1GB
> > or 2 DIMMS of 2GB ? I can't seem to find a definate answer on this.
> > Also, 2GB DIMMS are hard to find too so I might as well go with 4
> > times 1GB right?
>
> 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB is the way to go in dual-channel motherboards.

OK, so what you're saying is that 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB, it doesn't
matter. One is not faster than the other?

> a) it's less expensive b) few if any desktop motherboards support 4GB
> modules
>
> http://www.crucial.com/store/listmod...II&tabid=DDR2+...
>
> What operating system do you plan on using ? Windows XP 32-bit can not use
> the full 4GB.
>
> 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, Linux, and *BSD all support 4GB RAM
> and higher.

Yes, I will use the 64 bit version of Windows.

Robert Langlois wrote:
> On Sep 23, 3:20 pm, "Russell C" wrote:
>>
>> 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB is the way to go in dual-channel motherboards.
>
> OK, so what you're saying is that 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB, it doesn't
> matter. One is not faster than the other?


One is as fast as the other. Most socket AM2 boards use DDR2 PC2-6400 or
slower.

Robert Langlois wrote:
> Hi.
>
> I'm looking to built my first PC and I want 4GB of RAM. I was looking
> online for information on, would it be better to have 4 DIMMS of 1GB
> or 2 DIMMS of 2GB ? I can't seem to find a definate answer on this.
> Also, 2GB DIMMS are hard to find too so I might as well go with 4
> times 1GB right?
>
> Thanks.
>

Why not try 2x1GB first, then use Task Manager <ctrl-alt-delete>
to see how much memory you use regularly.

If you feel cramped for RAM still, you can add 2x1GB more later.

Paul