Simple question: 1 stick vs. dual channel

[skaughtz]

I've built a basic machine (Pentium G620) for a basic user (web browsing, flash games, etc.) with a micro ATX motherboard and Windows 7 64 Pro. I'm trying to decide if there would be any benefit whatsoever to buying 2x2GB of RAM so that it could run in dual channel mode, or if it there would be no performance benefit over buying 1x4GB, leaving the possibility for slapping in another 4GB stick in the future (which will probably never happen).

I'm just curious what you would do.

 

[GhislainG]

I'd leave it as is because the user won't notice the slight performance improvement.

 

[geekapproved]

Of course there's a performance difference. Will you notice it, no.

 

[nordlead]

Dual channel is faster, but that doesn't mean that the user will take advantage of it. My general rule of thumb is: if there are only two slots, then run single channel for a future upgrade. If you have 4 slots, then run double channel since you can still upgrade in the future

 

[skaughtz]

Best answer selected by skaughtz.