holden caulfield Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 I understand that having 1 gig of ram on one stick allows you to upgrade without having to take any RAM away (as opposed to two 512s) - but I've heard conflicting reports as to what you should do with an iMac - - I've heard the dual channel action with 2 is faster than using simply one - - - What do you suggest when customizing an iMac?? The upgrade to 1 gig - (whether 2 512s or 1 gig) is the same price. Whats the best choice?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireshark Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 2 512s are always faster due to dual channel but u haveto weigh that against future upgradeabiloity. u have to conside that for any pc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holden caulfield Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 So what would you do? do both chips have to be equal? Can I have a 1 Gig and put in another 512? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrupted Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 For ram to be in dual channel mode, they need to be equal in memory size. You *can* have a 1GB stick and put in another 512, but it will be in single channel mode due to the differing memory sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holden caulfield Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 So- - if you were customizing an iMac and wanted 1 gig RAM, would you go with 1 1gig stick or 2 512s? Is there a significant speed difference in dual channel mode? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severnya Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 I went with 2x512 1) Cheaper 2) Faster 3) Ill just buy 2x1gb when i really need it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holden caulfield Posted May 20, 2006 Author Share Posted May 20, 2006 but its not cheaper - - 2 512s are the same price as 1 1gig! So is it really that much faster with 2 512s?? I dont know!! someone please tell me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrupted Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 I found a PDF on dual channel RAM that sounded interesting, if it helps at all: http://www.kingston.com/newtech/MKF_520DDRwhitepaper.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severnya Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 My view on it is this: 2x512 is possibly cheaper, and definatly faster. But one day im gonna want to have 2gb of ram. So if i have 2x512 sticks, I have one more stick to sell. I also have 2 sticks which wont likely go wrong at the same time, still leaving me with some RAM while i wait for the new ram to arrive. I spose its just personal taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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