Matched ram vs. more ram -- which is better?

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Level 2

396 points

Matched ram vs. more ram -- which is better?

I am about to get a new iMac Core Duo with only the stock 512 MB ram installed.

I have searched through these discussions and elsewhere regarding ram for the Core Duo, but I feel the information has been inconclusive about this matter:

Is it better to install a 1 GB stick along with the 512 MB stock ram (total: 1.5 GB), or should I get another 512 MB stick for a matched pair (total: 1 GB)?

Which will be of more benefit to this computer: matched ram or more ram?

Thanks in advance for a definitive answer.

Doc Spider

iMac G5 20 (Ver. A), Mac OS X (10.3.9), 2 GB ram

Posted on Apr 15, 2006 6:26 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Apr 15, 2006 7:27 PM in response to Doc Spider

More RAM is always better than less. However, matched RAM will provide a slight increase in speed. Better solutions are: a. get the computer with 1 GB installed as 1 module; or b. buy two 1 GB modules and put the 512 in a drawer. If the slight performance penalty isn't important, then add the 1 GB module to the 512 that comes with the computer.

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Answer 2

Doc Spider Author

Level 2

396 points

Apr 16, 2006 5:11 AM in response to Kappy

Hi Kappy,

Thanks for your excellent reply.

How obvious would that "slight increase in speed" be with the matched ram? (I'll be doing music recording on the iMac.)

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