Memory Use

[Bill]

I have a Gigabyte KNS - Socket 939 m/b with 2x1GB of dual setup RAM
installed. OS in Vista Ultimate.

There are a further two slots available on the m/b and I have 2x512MB
matching RAM available.

Is there any advantage to installing these in a dual channel system to
increase overall RAM or does the size mismatch preclude any advantage?

Regards

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

I have a Gigabyte KNS - Socket 939 m/b with 2x1GB of dual setup RAM
installed. OS in Vista Ultimate.

There are a further two slots available on the m/b and I have 2x512MB
matching RAM available.

Is there any advantage to installing these in a dual channel system to
increase overall RAM or does the size mismatch preclude any advantage?

Regards

Install them and find out.. the advantages of more memory outweigh the speed
advantage of dual channel..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Bill]

'Suppose it was a no brainer really.

Should have done this ages ago. Noticeable improvement with heavy graphics.

Much thanks!!

 

[Victek]

'Suppose it was a no brainer really.

Should have done this ages ago. Noticeable improvement with heavy
graphics.

Much thanks!!

Since you have two of each size shouldn't the memory still be in dual
channel mode? I have 2x gig modules and 2x 512 modules and my memory is in
128 bit mode.

 

[Bill]

Maybe. I have heard that mixing 512MB modules with 1GB will slow things
down becuause the size of the address blocks of data is reduced.

More interestingly, perhaps, is that my CPU meter (gadgets) shows a lot of
dual channel activity (AMD 4200 dual chip) when the computer is doing
'nothing' and there is no disk activity.

Not only that, since adding the 2x512MB the Windows Rating has dropped from
4.1 to 4.0.

What on earth is going on?

 

[Victek]

That's interesting - I hadn't heard about the issue of smaller address
blocks before. Regarding the Vista performance rating that's a small
difference - perhaps within the test's margin of error. Have you tried
running it multiple times to see if results vary? In any case I would
consider the improvement in performance you're seeing when working with
actual applications the best test.

If you have some money to throw at it it would be interesting to see if
replacing the 2x 512 with 2x 1gb made any difference to performance or the
dual channel activity you're seeing <g>.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Maybe. I have heard that mixing 512MB modules with 1GB will slow things
down becuause the size of the address blocks of data is reduced.

More interestingly, perhaps, is that my CPU meter (gadgets) shows a lot of
dual channel activity (AMD 4200 dual chip) when the computer is doing
'nothing' and there is no disk activity.

Not only that, since adding the 2x512MB the Windows Rating has dropped
from 4.1 to 4.0.

What on earth is going on?

Bill

That's terrible. Imagine losing 0.1. You had better take out the two 512 RAM
sticks right now.


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Bill]

All right Mike - I'm not loosing sleep over 0.1 - just thought it
interesting!

Still curious why my CPU multimeter shows constant high levels of activity
(40-60%) in both cores when the computer is 'at rest'?

Regards

Bill

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

All right Mike - I'm not loosing sleep over 0.1 - just thought it
interesting!

Still curious why my CPU multimeter shows constant high levels of activity
(40-60%) in both cores when the computer is 'at rest'?

Regards

Bill

I had 2gb installed and registered 4.9 on the WEI scale.. bumped it up to
4gb and now it registers 4.6 on the WEI scale..

Best not to worry about the WEI. It is only there to give some idea re the
strengths of a system..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

All right Mike - I'm not loosing sleep over 0.1 - just thought it
interesting!

Still curious why my CPU multimeter shows constant high levels of activity
(40-60%) in both cores when the computer is 'at rest'?

Regards

Bill

CTRL-ALT-ESC.. click on the Processes tab.. then click on CPU to get the
processes taking up CPU time all at one end.. you should now be able to see
what is doing what..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Bill]

OK Mike,

I've done that and I get two processes:

System Idle Process Username: System CPU 46 24K Percentage of time
system is idle.
SearchFilterHost System CPU48 3056K Mic
Windows Search Filter Host.

Nothing else active but CPU meter both cores showing between 40-70%

Applications run better though which is all that really matters but this has
me curious. I have tried different CPU meter but same readings.

Regards

Bill