Is there a performance difference between 2*512MB or 1 GB ram?

Question

Deciding to buy a laptop with dual core processor

Answer 1

***Many lame answers*** 2 * 512 MB and I GB are same performance wise. However the 2 * 512 takes up two slots and may make it costlier if you plan to upgrade your laptop to 2 GB. In the first case you may have to throw both the existing memory cards and add two new 1 GB. In the other configuration you can by oly one new 1 GB card and upgrade to 2 GB. Or even you can buy one 512 to upgrade to 1.5 GB. If I were you I will go with 1 * 1GB.

Answer 2

There is a performance difference only if the motherboard on the laptop has dual channel capabilities, in which 2*512 sticks will actually perform BETTER than one stick of 1 GB RAM. Why? Dual channels work more efficiently in communicating with the processor and hard disk. It's kinda like hyper-threading but with RAM instead.

Answer 3

If you are planning to get a laptop with dual core processor, then the motherboard should support dual channel memory. Two sticks of 512MB is better than one stick of 1GB. You will see a difference in performance.

On the other hand if the mainboard does not support dual channel memory then you can get one stick of 1GB.

Another way to llo at it is in terms of cost, see which option you can save money on if you are on a tight budget.

Answer 4

I'm hopefully looking to get a new laptop also. First and foremost make sure it has the display and hard drive you want. Though you can upgrade the hard drive, I like getting it with features so I don't have to do too much work on it when I get it. Now it depends on how much memory you actually want. I'm assuming you want 1GB and get one with DDR2 memory if you can. That being said, you will pay more for a laptop that has (1) 1GB module as opposed to one with (2) 512MB modules. I also don't recommend pairing a 1GB module with a 512MB module there may be performance issues but nothing you should notice.

The thing that turns me off to most laptops is integrated graphics, as hard as it is, I will go out of my way to find a laptop I can purchase immediately with a dedicated card because I'm not going to wait two weeks for one when I order it. But that really only affects people who like gaming. But be aware if you get one with integrated graphics it will syphon its memory off of your RAM.

You should also consider getting a laptop with a single 512MB module but make sure it has a slot available and it may be cheaper for you to get one with 512MB and then purchase another 512MB module to put in it but that depends on the situation, a 512MB DDR2 SODIMM will run you about $40, give or take.

Answer 5

Not really. I prefer to use 2 sticks of ram because it seems like 2 devices working in tandem tends to do more work in less time than one device doing all of the work. I have both configurations in 2 identical PC's and I really can't tell the difference in performance.

Answer 6

It depends. If you have a newer system that supports Dual Channel DDR, then 2 X 512 would be better. If you don't then you'd be just fine with 1GB.

Answer 7

Ram that's spread out in mutiple sticks, as opposed to having lose just one stick, is better. ( ie, 2 512mb= better, 1gb= ok). Doesn't matter in terms of performance, just better as a way of backup. :)

Answer 8

Nope, just affects your ability to upgrade ram in the future without rendering the original ram useless.

Answer 9

hey dude i checked out d answers but i dnt think tat they were correct... Ram plays a main role in boosting ur system... ive got really a cool pc ya... COMPAQ Pressario.. my hdd is 16oGB but my ram is jus 256MB....hw dumb na.. if u got 1GB of Ram then ur pc is as fast as light dude...

Answer 10

There is but it's hardly noticeable (around 10% increase).