Is 4 sticks better than 2?

[rkf76]

I currently have 2gb of ram in my machine running 7hp, im looking to upgrade to 4gb but not sure if I should use 4 sticks of 1gb or 2 sticks of 2gb? Will it make a difference?

 

[Zepher]

no difference if you are running at stock speeds.
Only disadvantage is if you want to go with more ram in the future, you will have to remove 2 sticks.
Also, DDR2 is pricier than DDR3 right now so you might just want to go with 2x1GB to keep the price down.
$30 for 2x1GB and $52 for 2x2GB for DDR2 800
$24 and $38 for the DDR3 equivalent.

EDIT: I just looked at some G.Skill Ram and the 2x1GB kits that might be the same as yours are $37 and $53 at newegg,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087

I recommend getting the same brand/model of ram for all the slots but if you have the $53 kit, then I would recommend getting a 2x2GB kit so if you need to upgrade to more ram in the future, you don't throw away too much money.

I've been running 4 sticks of ram in my machines for the past 10 years with no issues, and some were mixed brands.

 

[rkf76]

I'm gonna go ahead and get 2 2gb sticks then, my mobo isn't ddr3 compatible so it'll just run at ddr2 speeds, right? I plan on upgrading my mobo in a few months so i'm gonna need ddr3 ram anyway so might as well get it now since its cheaper

 

[Zepher]

If you are upgrading in a few months, hold off and buy DDR3 with the new motherboard.
DDR2 and DDR3 slots are keyed different so one can't go in the other.

 

[rkf76]

If you are upgrading in a few months, hold off and buy DDR3 with the new motherboard.
DDR2 and DDR3 slots are keyed different so one can't go in the other.

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't know that. Alrighty then, the I guess for now it's just motherboard and dvd burner. Thanks for the help.