4x1gb and command rates..

[ryboto]

I want to take advantage of the current drop in RAM prices, but only if it's advantageous to performance. I am thinking of purchasing a second set of Crucial DDR2-800 2x1gb in addition to an identical set I already own. Am I to understand that for AM2 systems, with 4 dimms, a command rate of 2T is required? If so, would I see a large performance difference between 2x1gb at 1T, versus 4x1gb at 2T?

Just a side note, I am using a 64bit operating system. I want to make this decision soon, because of rebate expirations, and because I fear that the RAM prices will climb again towards the holidays, and who knows how long it will take for them to drop to where they are now.

[Kai_Force]

I think its impossible to hit 1T with 4 sticks. It does do a bit of a large performance increase, but if u want, just overclock your ram speed and that should prove to be better.

[ryboto]

Well, what's the difference between using a 2t vs a 1t compared to using CAS 4 vs CAS 5? Most of the 2x2gb kits are CAS 5, only the Mushkin has a CAS 4, and that's ridiculously expensive. So, it's either 4x1gb with 2t, or 2x2gb with a higher CAS. What would be more detrimental to performance?

[maxfly]

I think its impossible to hit 1T with 4 sticks. It does do a bit of a large performance increase, but if u want, just overclock your ram speed and that should prove to be better.

1t is very doable with 4x1gb and a 680i chipset.the gains arent exactly overwhelming tho.

ideally you would like the best of both but tbh i havent noticed much of a difference running 3-3-3-10 1t vs 4-4-4-12 2t or even 5-5-5-15 2t.im on a intel rig tho.so you may in fact get a more noticable boost from running tight timings and 1t vs 2t.its really just a matter of finding the sweetspot for your chipset tbh.