4 x 1GB vs 2 x 2GB

[Truckeeskibum]

This is a new build

XP SP2 32-bit
Gigabyte EP-DS3P motherboard
E8400 CPU
Radeon 3870 GPU

Will likely use PC 6400 but it might be PC 8500

I know I have limit of the RAM addressing due to 32-bit OS.

Will there a difference between 4 x 1GB vs 2 x 2GB ?

 

[stoner133]

Stability, your far less likely to run into problems running the 2 x 2Gb then you will with 4 x 1Gb. Some times you will need to tweek memory voltage to get the four dimm's to run stable. Plus then later if you should deside to move to a 64 bit operating system you still have two open slots to expand.

 

[topper743]

Use 2 x 2. Less hassle. Less chance of a bad module. You won't see all the ram but ram is cheap now. Unless you want to use 2x1gb of very high performance ram I would use 2x2.

 

[Maziar]

The difference actually isnt anything in terms of performance
2x2GB is better IF u want to add more of the same RAM later, 4x1GB is good if u want to keep it for a while
i myself have 4x1GB OCZ REAPER DDR2 800 RAM and i love them

 

[juvealert]

well go for the 2x2GB Ram and configure them in dual channel mode
that would give some extra juice

 

[Andrius]

You can get low latency/higher frequency 2x2GB kits as well so the "latency/frequency advantage" is a bad reason to buy 4x1GB IMO. 2x2GB is the obvious choice as it leaves room for a future upgrade. As Maziar said if you plan too keep 4x1GB until your next upgrade(motherboard) it's a good (maybe even cheaper) alternative.