[SyphonPayne]

Good point on the memory. I would go with yojo's build and get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231396 instead of a single stick.

[yojo2]

To clarify, I went with single 4Gb stick to leave as much free RAM slots as possible. It won't affect performance in any way, since there is absolutely no difference between Single and Dual Channel in games.

[Slamman]

Don't say that, I want bragging rights that my laptop is running Dual Channel DDR2! nice

Around here, while looking to equip my Asus with 16GB, only 4 slots, so needing 4GB, there is few options, and you're looking at two (8) for nearly $100, about $79 on average I believe, that's spendy.
Anyway, AMD will work for games, but in a short time, Intel will be the major player, At least the ATI cards are still an option to nVidia.
I don't mind having one choice on the market, as long as they don't price-gouge! haha

[Wolf68k]

I didn't want to before but now I will. I have not personally tried this and I'm having a hard time finding anyone that actually has.
I have yet to find anything where someone tested 1 stick of RAM compared to 2 sticks that equal the same size.

I have seen a Tom's Hardware article where they tested 2 sticks of RAM in dual channel and single channel modes. In that article they did show that for the most part there is little to no difference in performance.

If I had the money and time to waste I would get 1 stick of 8GB of the exact same brand and model of RAM that I have and compare it to the 2x4GB sticks I have now to see if there really is any difference.

[Slamman]

Should not be a factor, my previous boards were pretty much all mATX, where 8GB is supported, but only two Ram slots. There exists the single sticks below 1GB as well, all capable of being used. The speed matching is the most important factor I believe.

In color coded Ram slots; yellow x 2, black x 2, I ran matching sticks in one or the other, and a spare in the remaining slot, instead of all 4, filling all 4 in an Asus board shouldn't be a factor. I'd be pretty surprised, since ASUS is an OEM, as well as selling their own boards

This post has been edited by Slamman on Monday, Mar 12 2012, 16:32

[Wolf68k]

"Should not be" and "is" are 2 different things. You're guessing just like everyone else does.
Not sure what the heck you running 2 matched sticks and 1 not matched on the same board as the same time has to do with anything.

The fact that ASUS is used by Dell and HP and so on for their boards doesn't mean a bloody thing. There are people that if you bothered to look have complained that running 4 sticks of RAM at the same time on some boards, not sure ASUS but that is where I see it a lot, the system has issues.

I didn't bring this up to start an argument over 1 stick vs 2 sticks. My only point is there is a difference between 1 and 2 stick and also between single and dual channel. Obviously running 1 stick is single channel but does 1 stick single channel really mean the same thing as 2 sticks single channel.

This post has been edited by Wolf68k on Monday, Mar 12 2012, 17:30

[Slamman]

Dual channel is best obtained by just matching two sticks, The one side of the Going Small equation is that it's cheap, bottom line. You can try and argue with cheap, but cost when there's no question of failure is not a big issue.

I did mention Asus or Dell due to having more then two RAM slots on those boards I have used, so.... Speaking from experience.

I've got an issue with Premium Ram versus value RAM, but you could blast me for buying any Ram at a discount. Regardless, you can game with it, you can likely overclock it I suspect. I'd feel better overclocking if you didn't spend a king's ransom on the items

[leik oh em jeez!]

QUOTE (Wolf68k @ Monday, Mar 12 2012, 12:28)

but does 1 stick single channel really mean the same thing as 2 sticks single channel.

Theoretically, if both setups are single channel, there should be no difference at all in (otherwise equal) one 4Gb stick vs two 2Gb sticks. But if in the same situation you run the two sticks in dual channel, there should be a performance boost.

As far as leaving slots open, why? There have been a few select boards that are known to sometimes have problems with all four slots filled, but I've NEVER heard of similar problems using two sticks instead of one, even on boards with only two slots. Less sticks does not mean more stable. I believe the problem lies in some chipsets not liking four sticks of certain RAM.

And it's not like his sister would need the left over space for more sticks. I know any of you would would tell him to build his sister a new computer before putting 16Gb in that system. And rightfully so, as 4Gb should be more than enough for modern games.

[Stinky12]

QUOTE (leik oh em jeez! @ Monday, Mar 12 2012, 21:11)

QUOTE (Wolf68k @ Monday, Mar 12 2012, 12:28) but does 1 stick single channel really mean the same thing as 2 sticks single channel. Theoretically, if both setups are single channel, there should be no difference at all in (otherwise equal) one 4Gb stick vs two 2Gb sticks. But if in the same situation you run the two sticks in dual channel, there should be a performance boost. As far as leaving slots open, why? There have been a few select boards that are known to sometimes have problems with all four slots filled, but I've NEVER heard of similar problems using two sticks instead of one, even on boards with only two slots. Less sticks does not mean more stable. I believe the problem lies in some chipsets not liking four sticks of certain RAM. And it's not like his sister would need the left over space for more sticks. I know any of you would would tell him to build his sister a new computer before putting 16Gb in that system. And rightfully so, as 4Gb should be more than enough for modern games.

Boards that causes instability when all 4 ram slots are occupied can be they are those el cheapo models build with cheap parts.
I'm currently running with all 4 ram slots occupied for 5 years now and so far no issues with rams at all.
The reason why some say not to fill up all ram slots is because of overclocking, having all slots filled stresses on the controllers, so they would prefer to just use 2 ram slots out of 4.

@OP
For a Intel gaming system at $500 or less, you will have to consider getting a Pentium Dual core.
Spend a bit more and yojo's build is pretty solid for a cheap Intel gaming system.

This post has been edited by Stinky12 on Tuesday, Mar 13 2012, 01:04

[SyphonPayne]

I suppose if one is THAT strapped for cash then they could go with the 4GB x 1 RAM. However it's only going to save like $10 over the next 3 years depending on if/when they decide to upgrade. Why not get that little bit of extra performance, no matter how small it is, if it's cheap?

Slamman, get with the times man. Who's talking about DDR2 RAM for this new build? This is the year 2012.

Now I know this is just anecdotal evidence, but my MSI P45 Platinum has lasted 3 years with all 4 slots filled running the memory at 800MHz DDR2 CAS 4 (6GB.) That's with a 1600MHz FSB as well. Admittedly it did fry once but I think it was just a defect. Been working fine since I RMAed it 3 years ago. My current Sandy Bridge rig has all 4 slots filled (12GB) with 1600MHz DDR3 CAS 9. No worries here.

[Slamman]

DDR2 is still out there, it's at a premium price though, Which is why I'm not a happy camper with all this DDR3 one-up-manship.

The above comment about 4GB x1 could simply mean one stick that is 4GB RAM, what you need to get 16GB with 4 slots, Now I love the mega-mobos with four slots on each side of the CPU, then you're playing with power, RAM wise!

This post has been edited by Slamman on Tuesday, Mar 13 2012, 03:50

[leik oh em jeez!]

QUOTE (Slamman @ Monday, Mar 12 2012, 22:42)

Now I love the mega-mobos with four slots on each side of the CPU, then you're playing with power, RAM wise!

That's just the Intel LGA2011 boards setup like that. My old workstation board I ran with all eight slots filled and never had problems.

[SyphonPayne]

@Slamman Yes, I was talking about 4GB x1 vs 2GB x2. If it were me I'd just go for 2GB x2 now and then get another 4GB x2 later if needed for 12GB. Or go cheaper and get another 2GB x2 instead.

This post has been edited by SyphonPayne on Tuesday, Mar 13 2012, 05:10

[Slamman]

Of course, a 2GB stick is still more affordable, a bit of a no-brainer, DDR3 has really come down in price, unlike other PC parts, I'd like to know why this one item just became so damn affordable, everything else is more moula

[SyphonPayne]

I didn't say "a" 2GB stick... Gahhh...

[finn4life]

QUOTE (SyphonPayne @ Wednesday, Mar 14 2012, 03:24)

I didn't say "a" 2GB stick... Gahhh...

I think you were expecting too much.

[Stinky12]

Intel Core i3 2100------------------------$124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115078
BioStar H61 M/B------------------------$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813138332
G.Skill 4GB DDR3 1333--------------$19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231423
Rosewill 530w--------------------$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817182199
Asus HD6770--------------------$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814121474
Seagate 500GB-----------------$85.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148767
Samsung DVD-----------------$15.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827151244
Rosewill mATX case-------------$39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811147122
subtotal: $496.92
S&H: $6.77 (from graphic card)*
Grand total: $503.19 ($547.87 w/tax)*

*tax rate and other fees depends on which state you live in

[Slamman]

My Biostar system is for sale, using 4 GB 1333Mhz DDR3, Core i3 550, 3.2 with HTT
Case from Cooler Master, Hoping for $300, but I can be bargained with! hahaha

miniATX, but I'll throw in the ATI HD5450 with 1GB vRAM, I need the PSU though, it's only 400watts

I am opting to go Ivy Bridge later on
As for Syphon's comment

I didn't say "a" 2GB stick... Gahhh..

The way I read it, you DID, a 2GB stick means 1 physical STICK OF RAM with 2GB memory, that means installed, you used up one of your memory space slots, get me!? I don't know what else you're trying to say. Buy two sticks of 2GB each? Finn4Life, bugger off, I am talking more about the situation I'd be doing, pricing based on a per stick basis, there are kits, but that's not the same price, in some cases you can eek a deal, but it's not a rule one can rely on

This post has been edited by Slamman on Wednesday, Mar 14 2012, 01:59

[SyphonPayne]

QUOTE (Slamman @ Tuesday, Mar 13 2012, 19:53)

Buy two sticks of 2GB each?

Bingo. You finally get it.

As for Stinky12's build it's pretty good but I would go for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115077 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231396 instead.

[Slamman]

Well, that's pretty much a given when you type it as "2GBx2", it will then also occupy two physical board slots, but HEY, there's no law against selling your old parts to upgrade. Some people like CC have an issue with that, an illogical issue if you ask me