i haqve two free slots for ram and i want an extra 1gb is it better to just by one stick of 1gb or to split it

Question

into 2 sticks of 512mb and use all my slots as a friend says its better to split it into 2 sticks of 512mb as it works better

Answer 1

hi mate
i normally go for the cheapest route,so if it works out cheaper to buy 2 512mb memory modules then buy this way
however buying 2 modules will mean you use up all your slots and will stop any future upgrades
a 1b module will be a few pounds more but at least you will have a spare slot for another future memory upgrade
personally i would go for the 1gb module however allways put the largest module in the dimm1 and then the next in dimm2,so a little re-arranging is needed
however its best to visit http://www.crucial.com/,and run the online memory utility,this will give you a report on the exact module to purchase and the correct speed,timings and latency
you can then print this out and take it with you when purchasing your memory
any problems let me know
good luck mate !

Answer 2

fill all four slots. Make sure you buy ram that is tested on your motherboard. The reason for filling all of the slots is so that the ram still runs in DDR mode. For DDR ram to run at it's full speed it needs to be in pairs. So by adding only 1 stick you'll be forcing your ram to run at 200mhz bus speed. Depending on what ram you have this could really slow your computer down. If it's DDR2 in a newer system it's like cutting your rams speed in quarter. If it's a slightly older system using DDR then it's likre cutting the speed in half.

To make it short, always have RAM in mulitples of 2. ram is so cheap anymore look into getting 2 1gig sticks, it's definatly worth it, especially with new programs.

Answer 3

Run 2 sticks of 512. in case your max ram is 1GB possibilities are high you could basically run 512MBs according to slot. additionally, in case you have a twin channel board you wont run twin channel with one stick of ram. in case your board basically helps 1GB theres no sense in working a 256 and 1GB stick, extremely if the 256 is slower ram or has looser latencies. basically get a 1GB kit(2X512) of the quickest ram your rig can manage.

Answer 4

Go for the 1gb. If you go with the 2 512 sticks, later on when you want to upgrade (and you will!) you will have to throw out one, or have it laying around your house. If you go for 1gb, you can add another 1gb later without having to toss anything. Although, FYI if you can afford it (I bought 1gb last night that was only 50 bucks) just go for 2 new 1gb sticks now and enjoy the benefits, and save yourself the trouble later!

Answer 5

It doesn't matter either way. I would use one 1GB memory stick instead of two 512s. If you decide to upgrade later on, you'll need to replace one or two of your 512s to free up slots.

Answer 6

In my experience it works the same either way, I would use one slot that way if you need the other slot later you will have it, just make sure the ram is compatible with the mother board because forcing them can crack the motherboard, which I am sure you already knew

Answer 7

Be carefull about using extra RAM slots.
Some motherboards have two slots for one kind of RAM and two slots for another. you have to pick what kind you are going to use and fill that two slots that are corect and the other slots are just blank.

Answer 8

what do you have in there now

if it has one 1gb match that, it will work better

also, think of later, you dont want to buy another stick and have to throw a 512 away

also there is not really a difference if you are installing new

Answer 9

id go for the 1gb an still have a free slot!

Answer 10

It's usually better to install them in pairs. Many modern motherboards will double the memory speed (DDR - Double-Data-Rate) when using properly paired sticks.