2GB vs. 3GB

[jdl8422]

I have an imac C2D, I am looking to upgrade from 1gb. I have been reading the post on here and now i am stuck on wether to get 2 matched pairs of 1GB sticks or do the 3GB. I know 3GB is more than 2GB but is matched pairs better?

 

[gkarris]

I thought "matched pairs" only bodes well for systems with integrated video...

 

[xUKHCx]

You will see a much bigger performance increase going to 3Gb rather than getting matched pairs.

 

[munckee]

This is for a macbook, but it will give you some idea of 2GB vs. 3GB on integrated graphics:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/MacBook/Testing/Memory_Benchmarks

 

[xUKHCx]

This is for a macbook, but it will give you some idea of 2GB vs. 3GB on integrated graphics:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/MacBook/Testing/Memory_Benchmarks

So in general more ram = better performance. The scanerios where the match pairs win the difference is minimal where as when 3Gb wins the difference can be very large indeed.

I would definitely go for the 3Gb over the 2Gb.

 

[negatv1]

Crazy prices on 2gb sticks now. (OWC for ~$120). I just bumped up my Macbook Pro to 3gb, and it is humming along nicely.

 

[Bern]

I thought a MB could only handle up to 2GB ram? From what I understand putting 3GB in would be a waste of money because about 700mb or so of that 3rd GB won't ever be utilised.

 

[Nuc]

I just recently got the OWC 2GB ram. I can definitely see the performance increase from 2GB to 3GB.

Nuc

 

[flopticalcube]

I thought a MB could only handle up to 2GB ram? From what I understand putting 3GB in would be a waste of money because about 700mb or so of that 3rd GB won't ever be utilised.

You're thinking of 4GB. The MacBook is limited to 3GB but you can stuff 4GB, most of the last gig won't get used.