2Gb Fast Memory or 4GB Slow Memory

[rob3rtz]

Hey GUys, seems there are bunch of memory deal lately
do you think it is better if I get 4Gb PC4200 or 2Gb PC6400

well it just an example, but seems fry's has 4gb memory deal they are not the fastest memory but consider 4gb, this is tempting :)

should I stick with good and fast 2gb or 4gb slow memory is better

[Mycobacteria]

Are you talking about 4Gb of memeory in just 2 sticks?

Do you have an OS that can utilize all 4Gb woth of memory?

Can the slower ram do tight times say 3.3.3.10 T1?

[emceepecks]

If you plan to overclock, always get the "faster" memory. You'll have more headroom when you start to really crank the FSB.

If you run your setup with stock settings, you shouldn't notice any real world difference between the two. In that case, I'd get the 4 gb and be happy with it for the next few years :)

*edit* What OS are you running?

[Atari]

What you should be asking yourself is what are you using this computer for?
If you're doing any 3D work, video, or coding development then go for 4gb even if you're only getting maybe 3gb out of winxp 32-bit it's still worth it.
If you're only doing games then I would say not worth it and go for the faster memory.

[rob3rtz]

I will play games and OC a little not too extreme,

and most likely I will use vista 64bit that support 4 Gb

my main use for the program will be daily use, little video encoding, but mostly I use multitasking.. I will use lot of different program and will barely restart computer

[jivetrky]

In most cases you will probably not use that 2GB in full. Even in Vista while running a game you probably aren't going to use more than 2GB. It sounds like this will be a normal everyday used computer (which is about how I use mine; normal internet browsing, gaming, movie watching, occasional encoding, occasional photoshop, etc. etc....)
I've never had an issue with 2GB of RAM. I'd definitely recommend going with 2GB and enjoy the extra speed (which would probably be noticeable in certain cases)

[Eldonko]

If you are thinking of going vista 64, you should probably go 4GB. I manage to use all 4gb at once at some times with vista.

[jivetrky]

If you are thinking of going vista 64, you should probably go 4GB. I manage to use all 4gb at once at some times with vista.
How?

[Eldonko]

Just run a wack of mem intensive programs at once. :) For stability testing I can get 4gb mem usage to 97% by running 2x HCI memtest @ 1000mb each + orthos blend at the same time. Try that w/ XP and windows would be brought to it's knees.

[jivetrky]

oh well of course you can use up 4GB of you run Orthos or a program that is meant for stressing RAM....but in any normal application (normal everyday programs, games, etc) you aren't going to use that much.

[Eldonko]

Depends what it is. Try running a few 3d design applications at the same time.. If you do stuff where you need a quad for multitasking, not going 4gb is probably creating a bottleneck.

[jivetrky]

Depends what it is. Try running a few 3d design applications at the same time.. If you do stuff where you need a quad for multitasking, not going 4gb is probably creating a bottleneck.


True...but I was guessing this guy wasn't a CAD designer :)

In most normal uses (as in used by the majority or people out there) 2GB is still fine. I mean if he was asking if he should get 2 or 4GB and they were the same speeds and money wasn't an issue...then why not get 4GB....but to sacrifice speed when 2GB will probably just sit there unused anyway, there's really no reason to do it.