Which is the better 4GB setup (4x1GB) or (2x2GB) - Corsair Dominator 8500 (1066MHz)

[Palinho]

Hi,

I've just build a new system:
CPU: Intel Q6600
Mobo: XFX 780i SLi
GC: XFX 320MB 8800GTS

I need to buy some new RAM, I want 4GB, which setup is better?

4x1GB Corsair QuadX DDR2 Dominator PC2-8500 (1066MHz) CAS: 5-5-5-15
Price: £211.32

OR

2x2GB Corsair DDR2 Dominator PC2-8500 (1066MHz) CAS: 5-5-5-15
Price: £111.61

Both are 4GB, run at the same speed and have the same CAS timings, however they vary drastically in price (£100 difference:eek:). I've heard its generally faster to have (4x1GB) rather than (2x2GB) sticks but is that still true if the sticks are running at the same speeds with the same timings? I realise that I will take up all my DIMM slots if I go for the 4x1GB setup but I don't mind that as I don't intend to go higher than 4GB.

Any help would be much appreciated :)

[Rattle]

2x2gb is always better than 4x1gb but the p35's handle 4sticks fine not sure how the 780i does, there's no advantage to 4 sticks over 2 anyway thats a myth, and 2x2gb is cheaper.

[aja]

4 sticks require the slightest voltage bump on some boards, but it is rare.

Go for either config. I like 2x2 for upgradeability options in the future

[Shiggity]

That price difference is pretty huge.

Get the cheaper option! From what I've seen, less sticks is usually more stable because you're not populating every DIMM slot, but I haven't had any experience with 2GB modules.

I just can't see spending almost double for virtually the same thing.

[freakdiablo]

Get the cheaper option! From what I've seen, less sticks is usually more stable because you're not populating every DIMM slot, but I haven't had any experience with 2GB modules.



Ive heard similar. Nothing substantial, just scattered posts of some chipsets have problems with 4 sticks of ram. the 2x2gb sticks are cheaper anyway, so no harm in getting those.

[Charr]

I didn't have a problem with 4 sticks in a 680i or P35. The 780i and 680i are the same chipset (the difference PCIe 2.0 support), so I don't think you should encounter any problems.

[Palinho]

Hmmm.......

Thanks for all your info and help, its given me a lot to think about. I think I will go for the (2x2GB) setup. Like someone already said above the price difference is just too big for essentially the same thing, especially if i'm not gaining an advantage from the (4x1GB) setup.

Qudos to the forums once again. :)

[JamesXP]

meep thats like 200$...


Where yo' buying this?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-OC £74

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-022-GS £80