Laptop Ram question (for DDR2)

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SaberX · #1 Post by **SaberX** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:19 pm

Just wondering what is better to have?
The Dell laptop i have can do Dual Ch DDR2 ram.(as long as the ram are the same.
This question should be good for the Thinkpads too.

Whats better to have.
Two 1 gig dimm's running in Dual Ch for 2 gig's total.
OR
a 1 gig and a 2 gig for 3 gig's total(not running in Dual Ch.

A few web sites i looked at said running DDR2 ram in Dual Ch will give you a 13% ~ 15% increase in proformance.

This is for the laptops with the Intel i945PE chipset.That can only handle 3 gig's total.

I'm thinking it's better to have 2gig in Dual Ch.

aaa · #2 Post by **aaa** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:33 pm

Define performance. Unless it's something you can time with a stopwatch (and isn't disk-related), you will not notice dual vs single.

Of course, either way you have to decide whether you need 3gb to begin with, as there is a slight premium for 2gb sticks.

A random theory I have is that single channel would extend battery life, so that would be an advantage over dual channel.

#3 Post by **gator** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:13 pm

In most situations, having more RAM gives you a better boost than dual channel. This is regardless of the speed of the RAM (DDR/DDR2/DDR3/whatever).

qviri · #4 Post by **qviri** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:05 pm

Dual channel is a myth. Decide based on the amount (2 vs 3 GB) and don't look at matching sizes.

SHoTTa35 · #5 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:17 pm

just a lil FYI - The newer Thinkpads x6x ones, they will run it in dual-channel mode still even if 1 is 1GB and 2GB. So you'll still get Dual-channel mode there. So the only question is are you cheap enough to not spend the extra $15 or so that it costs to get 2 x 2GB

SaberX · #6 Post by **SaberX** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:32 pm

SHoTTa35 wrote:just a lil FYI - The newer Thinkpads x6x ones, they will run it in dual-channel mode still even if 1 is 1GB and 2GB. So you'll still get Dual-channel mode there. So the only question is are you cheap enough to not spend the extra $15 or so that it costs to get 2 x 2GB

I think it's well worth the extra money to get 4 gig's (2x2gig's) . IF you have the nerer laptops that can handle and use the full 4 gig's.
But i dont,I have a laptop that uses the Intel 945PE chipset.This goes for the T60's.

But for the laptops that can use just 3 gig's of ram whats the best.
I was looking at the chart on this web site and it looks good to have dual Ch...
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/133/5

With the price of DDR2 ram now is not how cheap we are on buying ram , it's buying the ram thats fits the laptop best.

I think i'm going with two 1 gig's.The price of the 1 gig's are cheap.And 2 gig's of ram will do me just find for my needs.

Laptop Ram question (for DDR2)

Laptop Ram question (for DDR2)

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