Macbook RAM 1.5GB vs 2GB

N

neovo

macrumors newbie
I have been using macbook with 1.5GB ram (1GB + 512MB). Normally, I run a lot of application at once. For example, safari, netnewswire, itunes, vmware fusion, adium, and many widgets. In the end, many of those programs become not responsive, especially if I run the Windows XP using vmware fusion. I was wondering if 1.5GB of ram are not enough for my need. My question is if I replace the 512MB with 1GB of ram to make it total 2GB and running dual channel mode, would it be faster and make all the program responsive? Does adding more 512MB will make significant difference?

Here I include screenshot of my memory status.

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Yes, you will see a difference. You are low on RAM as the page in/out ratio is quite high (3:1) and you have less than 25% empty RAM (inactive or free). Dual channel adds 5-8% greater speed.
 
Swap The 512 Stick For A 2GB Stick

You want to add 1.5GB not 512. Pull the 512 and put in a 2GB stick. They now cost about $65. Putting in a 1GB stick would be criminal behavior.

Your MacBook can see and use all 3GB.
 
Multimedia said:
You want to add 1.5GB not 512. Pull the 512 and put in a 2GB stick. They now cost about $65. Putting in a 1GB stick would be criminal behavior.

Your MacBook can see and use all 3GB.
Click to expand...

The 2GB stick is quite expensive now, compared to a really cheap 1GB stick. So my question now 2GB vs 3GB. Which one is better. Having 1GB + 2GB will disable the dual channel mode and it also cost much more. Having 1GB + 1GB will enable the dual channel mode but it only add 512MB to my current state, which I think will not give significant difference.

Guys, help me to decide.
 
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