4x1GB@1066 or 2x2GB@800

[Bensam123]

I'm aiming to build a new computer and those are the choices. Do I shoot for faster memory or more overall memory? In 2-3 years will I need more then 4GB of memory? Is 1066 memory that much faster then 800 (this will be met with a Q6600)?

Also the option of overclocking is in the air.

[NeXus^]

I'm aiming to build a new computer and those are the choices. Do I shoot for faster memory or more overall memory? In 2-3 years will I need more then 4GB of memory? Is 1066 memory that much faster then 800 (this will be met with a Q6600)?

Also the option of overclocking is in the air.

Personally, I'd go for the 4gb of ram at 1066. I mean the maths is simple, more ram and at a faster rated speed I'm guessing this RAM is DDR2, right? Oh and stuff future proofing your system.. by the time you will actually need more than 4 gig of RAM you will probably want a new motherboard, then CPU etc. etc. (UNLESS your using it mainly as a server or some intensive multimedia or something like that, which requires enormous amounts of RAM). What's the rest of your system specs (such motherboard, Power Supply wattage, etc) and by the way, and what are you mainly going to be using it for?

[Flying Fox]

What degree of overclocking you are aiming for? Beyond DDR2-667 the "speed" is mainly for overclocking the FSB with the 1:1 ratio.

[Bensam123]

DDR2, DDR3 is way too expensive and numerous other growing pains are still present. You can still buy DDR. I'm sure in 2-3 years I'll still be able to buy DDR2 if need be.

Yeah, the only thing thats keeping me from going for the 4x1GB is the feint possiblity of needing more then 4GB to run games at a adequate pace in 2-3 years. My current PC is about three years old and it has 2GB in it which is just about where I want it right now. When I built it, it only had 1GB in it and 1GB was a lot at the time (512 was average)

Gaming, schoolwork etc.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813127033

I'm not new to system building at all, just his is a perplexing decision between speed and upgradeability. Is the speed worth it or is being future proof worth it?

[tsoulier]

4- gig ram for sure @1066

[[SDG]Mantis]

I'm not new to system building at all, just his is a perplexing decision between speed and upgradeability. Is the speed worth it or is being future proof worth it?

That's a personal call, really. Look at your older builds. How many of them did you drop more memory into? (I'm actually in the same boat as you are with deciding on parts of my latest build.)

My thoughts are that mainboards are going to end up going to DDR3 so that upgradability choices in my DDR2 memory are isolated to the single build. How likely am I to need more than 4GB of RAM in my new system before I upgrade the motherboard?

Your answer to that question should probably be the main deciding factor.

I suppose the other question, though, is how much you want to overclock. You've probably got built-in headroom with 1066. *But* you are also talking about OCing 4 memory modules, not 2, which can be a lot trickier in terms of getting the right timings.

My inclination is probably along the lines of NeXus^'s recommendation, though.

[Nitrodist]

Get the 2x2 configuration. Remember, there's really no real world advantage to having faster ram.

[Crayon Shin Chan]

If the speeds were equal, 4x1 would be slightly slower than 2x2, but in this case it should be.... I don't know, you should take the latency into account too.

I'd still go for the 4x1 at 1066 though.

[derFunkenstein]

Unless you're running your CPU at a FSB faster than 400MHz (400x4=1600) you'll never push your DDR2-800 RAM to its limit. Add that to the fact you'd have free RAM slots for future expansion and I say the answer is pretty obvious.

Though if you could go 2x2 1066, I guess that would be the best, though again I dont' think it really matters.

[etilena]

Would 2 x 2GB be more overclocking friendly compared to 4 x 1GB? Less parts, less chance for something not up to scratch to bottleneck the system.

[derFunkenstein]

overclocking is always a gamble. Every part has the same % chance it'll successfully hit a certain rated speed. Maybe you're less likely to get a dud when you only buy two, but I don't think it matters.

[Bensam123]

Thanks for all the input. I'm thinking I'm gonna go with the 2x2 on a just in case scenario. I doubt more then 4GB will be needed in 2-3 years, but I rather be safe then sorry.

[crazybus]

Given the fact that you'll have a 266mhz default fsb processor, DDR2 800 should give you plenty of headroom. I think 2x2GB is a wise choice.

[Jigar]

Filling all the Ram slots is not a wise idea, Plus 800 MHZ Ram is more then enough for overclocking. I would suggest you to go for 2 X 2GB.