07-31-2006, 11:54 AM

Everywhere I go, I hear many different takes on this. I have searched these forums and still no answer. I would just really like to know which is true. Does having Identical capacities of RAM matter? Or is it just fine to have mismatched sticks of RAM?

07-31-2006, 12:01 PM

As far as I know: No.

The chipset used supports asymetrical RAM, and can even enable dual channel access (I think that's what it's called) with mismatched RAM.

Even if it couldn't, the speed difference is fairly negligible from what I've read.

07-31-2006, 06:49 PM

there was a review (i forget where I read it) but there was a review someehwere and the tests showed that perf was better... btw the non mobile chipset can do asymetrical, but the mobile chipset (what we have) prefers matched sticks

07-31-2006, 06:56 PM

here ya go...

DO MATCHED PAIRS OF MEMORY HELP?
We've done some matched versus unmatched memory tests on the Intel Mac mini (which has virtually indentical architecture to the MacBook 13"). In the case of the Intel Mac mini, Quake 3 saw a 51% gain from matched memory pairs while Doom 3 saw an 18% gain. As for Productivity Apps, matched pairs gave iMovie HD a 3% boost and Photoshop CS a 4% boost.

http://www.barefeats.com/mbcd3.html

07-31-2006, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by taseal

here ya go...



http://www.barefeats.com/mbcd3.html

51% from matched memory? I wish the would have posted the details on how they figured that. It just doesn't sound right.

08-01-2006, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by mynameis

51% from matched memory? I wish the would have posted the details on how they figured that. It just doesn't sound right.

I doubt they would make it up :shrug: