Got a question regarding RAM memory. I'm building a computer and I got a 1GB (2X512MB) Corsairs. Now the decision I gotta make is whether I want to fit in my spare 512MB. As my 1GB (2X512mb) is a dual channel adding the 512mb will decrease the dual channel by 15%? Am I right? So overall is it worth putting in another 512MB into my current 1GB (2X512MB Corsair Dual Channel) Computer?
the memory wont run in dual channel if you add in an extra 512 stick which is a bad thing as socket 939 processors require memory to run in dual channel. i wouldnt put any more memory in unless you get another 512 stick or you swap out that 1 512 for 2 256 sticks that way you could have 1.5gig of dual channel
I don't think your motherboard, being ECS will but some boards support dual channel in 3 slots, so check your manual first. If it doesnt, adding an extra stick will decrease the memory clock significantly. If you can get another 2x512MB, or substitute the existing 2x512 for 2x1GB. Adding an extra 512MB will be of limited gain. If you really do need more RAM, it will offer extra performance, but not that much. To be honest though, if you're experiencing paging and therefore jerking due to insufficient memory but can only afford one extra stick, go for it. Size is much more important than speed when memory is concerned, as long as you are actually running out. If you're not sure, use Ctrl+Alt+Del task manager while running a game (Alt-tab out first)
Im not sure whether it's compatible with 3 slots. (not a comp techy... ) oh well...my mobo specs are on my sig... where should i look in the manual... it has 4 slots for ram... sry if that didn't help...
Well, I salute you for putting up with such a noisy motherboard, but through looking through reviews and documentation I can't find anything that says for or against, but my guess is that you probably will lose dualchannel if you add an extra module. Out of interest, the fans on the KN1 extreme run at 5800rpm and 6500rpm. This is ludicrous, and hence my comment at the start of my post. It has some nice features, but you may like/need/already have some noisepadding.
@ everyone who has commented the name DUAL CHANNEL gives away the fact that it doesnt work in sets of 3. if you have 4 dimms on your mobo then you are likely capable of having dual channel. if you have three you most certainly have not got dual channel. @ jay05 if you have a 939 athlon 64 you require dual channel. your pc probably wont work properly if you use 3 sticks of memory. so either get another 512 stick or just leave it out of the comp
I disagree, some special boards do have a capability to run 3 sticks at the double data rate (800mhz) and this is not REQUIRED for athlon64, it is just an advantage, since it matches the front side bus and therefore performs better. I say go ahead. Bite Me. LOL.
alright...i'm confused...should I or should I not? will it be faster or slower? sry...hmmm....decisions...
As i say, I'm all for it, but to be honest, it's not really bandwidth you're going to want in a sense, it'll be actual game performance. Run a game that uses bootloads of memory like, say Doom 3, FEAR, Half-life 2, farcry, something like that and see how it goes. insufficient ram i don't find causes low frame rates on its own, but not enough of it causes random jerks. This is what you're looking for. Not an overall jerky image but random times when the game pauses for a moment, or longer. If this happens regularly you'd need more RAM. if it doesn't ever happen in anything you play you'd probably best not bother.
so if it says that my virtual memory is too low does that mean that I should add the extra 512mb memory ram?
If you're running out of virtual memory then you should theoretically have already run out of physical memory. This is usually an extreme case when over 2GB of RAM is required. Are you running a 64-bit operating system? What I'm looking for are the two values at the bottom of the task manager box: Commit charge xxxxM/xxxxM If you have say 987M/2463M then you're under. However, don't be fooled if it says for example 1217M/2463M as that's more than 1024 (you're physical memory) and therefore paging into virtual memory. If you're using Windows x64 or a beta of Vista then I can't really help you as you're system will be out of memory regardless.
If you never see it above 900 when in the midst of your biggest game, you're not going to run out of memory, so for the moment leave things as they are, you'll run better without the extra stick.
