Maximum PC

I have heard that it may be better to stick with less memory. So my question is simple. Is it better to have 2 512 sticks of DDR400 or 4 of em for a total of 2gigs?

P4C800 Deluxe
P4 3.0c
1024 megs of DDR400

Well according to Anandtech.com the *ideal* config is to have all 4 slots filled with Double-Sided memory. The 2nd best would be to have 2 slots filled with double sided or all 4 filled with single-sided.

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.html?i=1849&p=5

It's all right there.

Thank you I rock.

yes..um..you rock lol

Do they all have to be the EXACT same type? the 2 sticks I have no are Corsair XMS memory and if I buy 2 more 512 sticks they will be XMS as well but its been a year since I bought the 1st two sticks so will 2 sticks of current XMS (at the same speed of course) suffice?

i have the exact same question. i have 1 512mb pc2700 stick of kingston valueram and i want to buy another identical one now and i want to know if it will work to run them in dual channel, because i can oc the first one to 192mhz and if the 2nd one goes that high, will it work in dual channel.

Here's the thing guyz. So long as each PAIR match up, it's ALL good. 2 of this and 2 of that will work out just fine. BUT! Like that Anand article sayz all 4 have to be double-sided sticks of memory for the #1 spot. All clear?

yup, thanks moco

To play the devil's advocate....

Are you planning to overclock? If so, the fewer the sticks, the better. Also, keep in mind that each additional stick you add increases the chances of having or developing a bad dimm. Not the end of the world (especially with lifetime warranties), but the chances of a stick failing are going to be higher when you have 4 compared to 1.

That being said, unless it was a typo on your post, having an extra gig of RAM (4x512 vs 2x512) can outweigh the negative aspects depending on your computing habits.