Dual channel RAM - do you think it's worth it?

[Cobra]

Hi,

Just wondering. I am going to be building a new PC, and I want it fast. However, I'm on a bit of a budget, and a dual-channel RAM kit is £50 more expensive than just buying two 512MB normal modules.

I'm already splashing out on two 160GB Seagate SATA drives in a RAID-0 array, and an Athlon 2500+ to overclock to 3200+ speeds.

Will dual-channel give me a performance boost worth £50 extra?

Thanks very much!

CobraDMX

[redwudz]

Tough question. I changed from 256M to 512M modules and then realized they were not matched. I read on a MB forum that there was only a few percent gain with dual channel. (Can't remember where now, I'll look.) Which made me feel a little better about screwing up and not checking closer. If I had it to do over, I would have got the matched modules. If you are considering overclocking, it would probably make a bigger difference. From what I understand, they don't have to be specificaly dual-channel, they just have to be [/u]exactly[u] matched. Mine were off by one serial number and won't dual-channel.

EDIT: Found some info on dual channel that might help:http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?ID=237&ct=Latest%20Resources

[rallynavvie]

Whoever is selling dual-channel RAM "kits" for more than two of the same individual sticks is taking people to the cleaners. All you need for dual-channel boards is two identical sticks of RAM. My suggestion for that CPU and OCing if you want 1GB or RAM:

http://www.mushkin.com/epages/Mushkin.storefront/4025a31e018898c8273fc0a801020639/Prod...ct/View/991089

Not only is that quality memory but you SAVE $31US over buying the same modules individually.

[Faustus]

dual channel memory helps, but its nothing to break your back over.

[808smokey]

WhaT RAM R U TALKING ABOUT? i hate caps lock