2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB

themisiek1 · 01-20-2009, 12:00 PM

I see a load of people are using 2 x 2GB sticks now when about 4 months everyone was against it. Is having 2 x 2GB sticks better than 4 x 1GB sticks?

August 2007 I built my first computer with 4 x 2GB sticks on the 680i chipset. Everyone hated that setup due to the RAM so I was forced to switch to 4 x 1GB.

bigBonehead · 01-20-2009, 11:36 PM

Doesn't it depend on the motherboard's ability to use 2GB in one slot?

**wrench97** · 01-21-2009, 01:31 PM

2 years ago 2gig sticks were expensive now they are not, a 2 gig stick uses the same power as a 1 gig stick so cutting the number of sticks is usually easier on the MB.

bigBonehead · 01-21-2009, 04:49 PM

The motherboard in my Dell Dimension will not support 2GB in a slot.

**wrench97** · 01-21-2009, 05:14 PM

what model do you have some had a Bios update to allow it others electrically can not.

**linderman** · 01-21-2009, 08:29 PM

from an overclocking stand point 4 sticks of ram will always take back seat to a 2 stick configuration (voltage draw)

some time ago .......sticks larger than one gig were insanely priced

some time ago ....... certain cpu's and motherboards didnt play well with the big sticks...

everything changes or gets flattened by innovation

bigBonehead · 01-23-2009, 02:27 AM

I've got an E521... highly modified.

500watt PSU
AMD X2 5000+
XFX 8600GT
WD 500GB x2
WD 500GB USB
X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

Flashed bios with latest U/D from Dell

I am not a gamer, but do lots of work with a
Digital Audio Workstation,
and video with Adobe Premier 4

The reason I stated this was because of what I saw on Crucial.

Please enlighten...

**wrench97** · 01-23-2009, 12:44 PM

What do you need to know?

bigBonehead · 01-23-2009, 09:00 PM

I will be posting this in a separate thread, but this is the problem: I have tried installing 2 x 2GB, and 4 x 1GB sticks... The system recognizes all 4GB, in either configuration, but only accesses 2GB. (see attached)

I have tried using the 3GB switch in the Boot.ini, and still only get 2GB usable.

I'm stumped. Any help appreciated!

**magnethead** · 01-23-2009, 10:21 PM

thats showing a 2x2 GB...that should be correct??

bigBonehead · 01-28-2009, 12:06 AM

Yes , but look at the top line.... It shows 2048Mb installed???

**magnethead** · 01-28-2009, 04:32 PM

you're using slots 1 and 2. You eed to use 1 and 3. srr if that does it.,

bigBonehead · 01-29-2009, 05:28 PM

I will give thaT a shot, but it showed 2048Mb with 4 x 1GB sticks also... I'm really stumped here!

01-20-2009, 12:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
themisiek1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 317 OS: XP My System	2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB I see a load of people are using 2 x 2GB sticks now when about 4 months everyone was against it. Is having 2 x 2GB sticks better than 4 x 1GB sticks? August 2007 I built my first computer with 4 x 2GB sticks on the 680i chipset. Everyone hated that setup due to the RAM so I was forced to switch to 4 x 1GB.

01-20-2009, 11:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigBonehead Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nasville, USA Posts: 26 OS: XP Pro 32bit	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB Doesn't it depend on the motherboard's ability to use 2GB in one slot? __________________ You don't fully understand something until you can explain it to your Grandmother.:. A. Einstein

01-21-2009, 01:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,654 OS: Win7	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB 2 years ago 2gig sticks were expensive now they are not, a 2 gig stick uses the same power as a 1 gig stick so cutting the number of sticks is usually easier on the MB. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-21-2009, 04:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
bigBonehead Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nasville, USA Posts: 26 OS: XP Pro 32bit	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB The motherboard in my Dell Dimension will not support 2GB in a slot. __________________ You don't fully understand something until you can explain it to your Grandmother.:. A. Einstein

01-21-2009, 05:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,654 OS: Win7	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB what model do you have some had a Bios update to allow it others electrically can not. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-21-2009, 08:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,440 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB from an overclocking stand point 4 sticks of ram will always take back seat to a 2 stick configuration (voltage draw) some time ago .......sticks larger than one gig were insanely priced some time ago ....... certain cpu's and motherboards didnt play well with the big sticks... everything changes or gets flattened by innovation __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

01-23-2009, 02:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
bigBonehead Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nasville, USA Posts: 26 OS: XP Pro 32bit	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB I've got an E521... highly modified. 500watt PSU AMD X2 5000+ XFX 8600GT WD 500GB x2 WD 500GB USB X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Flashed bios with latest U/D from Dell I am not a gamer, but do lots of work with a Digital Audio Workstation, and video with Adobe Premier 4 The reason I stated this was because of what I saw on Crucial. Please enlighten... __________________ You don't fully understand something until you can explain it to your Grandmother.:. A. Einstein

01-23-2009, 12:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,654 OS: Win7	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB What do you need to know? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-23-2009, 10:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
magnethead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 3,570 OS: Vista ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB thats showing a 2x2 GB...that should be correct?? __________________ For proper support: what are you running? graphics, cpu, m/board, ram, PSU brand wattage PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER . Bench Testing Your System

01-28-2009, 12:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
bigBonehead Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nasville, USA Posts: 26 OS: XP Pro 32bit	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB Yes , but look at the top line.... It shows 2048Mb installed??? __________________ You don't fully understand something until you can explain it to your Grandmother.:. A. Einstein

01-28-2009, 04:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
magnethead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 3,570 OS: Vista ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB you're using slots 1 and 2. You eed to use 1 and 3. srr if that does it., __________________ For proper support: what are you running? graphics, cpu, m/board, ram, PSU brand wattage PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER . Bench Testing Your System

01-29-2009, 05:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
bigBonehead Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nasville, USA Posts: 26 OS: XP Pro 32bit	Re: 2 x 2GB or 4 x 1GB I will give thaT a shot, but it showed 2048Mb with 4 x 1GB sticks also... I'm really stumped here! __________________ You don't fully understand something until you can explain it to your Grandmother.:. A. Einstein