Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM?

Beatnik · 11-21-2005, 08:56 PM

I've been running into some framerate issues lately, and with BF2 going up to ~650 megs in the process menu, I think that's pushing my 1 gig of RAM. First, here are my relevant specs:

AMD 2600+, 400 mhz FSB
1 gig (2 x 512) DDR 333, dual channel to saturate the FSB
ATI 9800 Pro, 256 meg memory

I run my game at 1024x768, since the LCD TV I run it on is widescreen (1366x768). Running at 800x600 on my old monitor with a ATI All in Wonder 9700 Pro gave me no hiccups and let me even run 4x AA. With this card I have a few settings on med, the rest on low and only average ~25-30 fps.

My question is this: If I get another stick of 512 (333), will that improve my performance, given that all 3 sticks will be limited to 333? It's only 40 bucks for this, but I definitely can't afford to blow even that much on something that won't give me some lift in performance in BF2/BF2 SF. Thanks.

**kormendi** · 11-22-2005, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatnik

My question is this: If I get another stick of 512 (333), will that improve my performance, given that all 3 sticks will be limited to 333? It's only 40 bucks for this, but I definitely can't afford to blow even that much on something that won't give me some lift in performance in BF2/BF2 SF. Thanks.

My guess is no. Because of the disruption of the dual channel operation, you may even lose performance.

My suggestion would be to lower detail settings, and definately lower/disable your antialiasing settings if it is enabled at all.

perry · 11-22-2005, 12:58 PM

You don't think 1.5gigs is better than 1gig, at the same speed? I don't think dual channel can overcome that big of a difference.

I think loading time would decrease, maybe less stuttering, but I doubt you'd get a 10FPS jump or something. I jumped from 1 to 1.5gig (dual channel with both) and noticed a difference in BF2.

Drizzid · 11-22-2005, 02:26 PM

Ok I have a question that's in this line so I'll give it a shot. I have the same problems as Beatnik. I have a 2.4c 800 FB, 1gig ram 400mhz, radeon sapphire atlantis 256mb vid card and I have everything turned to low and I'm barely getting 50 fps on a good day mostly 40-45fps. I have a AMD atlon 64 3400+ but it's the 754 socket. would increasing ram to 2gigs and going to the amd chip make a significant increase in overall performance or should I just increase ram. Any opinions would be appreciated

Beatnik · 11-22-2005, 06:25 PM

Cool thx for the replies. I've got another issue (I went and bought a stick - can always return it if it doesn't improve stuff) that I'll address in a new post. Thanks.

ScratchMonkey · 11-22-2005, 06:25 PM

3 sticks would mean you'd split your memory between dual-channel and single-channel. How that affects performance depends on how the OS lays out itself and an app. Ideally the most-frequently-used code and data would go in the dual-channel, but I have no idea how Windows decides what to put where.

wildcat2000 · 11-25-2005, 12:05 PM

Beatnik,
I have 2 gig PC 4200, I noticed the difference upgrading from 1 gig to 2 gig. My computer is not as sluggish as it was being able to minimize BF2 and open something else, and plus i am able to max out the video settings.

**Overlag** · 11-26-2005, 07:48 AM

normaly dual channel setups need to have ram fitting in pairs, or, it needs the two channels to be the same size.

ie Channel 1 with 1gig in it
channel 2 with 2x512mb in it

im thinking the computer will either be unstable, or back down to single channel mode.. which isnt too much of a loss on a XP system.

**CingularDuality** · 11-26-2005, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlag

or back down to single channel mode.. which isnt too much of a loss on a XP system.

I think that's his question. Which is faster:

A gig (2x512) in dual channel

or

a gig and a half (3x512) in single channel

**Overlag** · 11-26-2005, 01:31 PM

well for the games that need that 1.5gig then yeah, they will be faster even with the slower ram speed

the ones that dont need that 1.5gig will perform slower but i doubt it will be noticable

Xink · 11-26-2005, 04:01 PM

i think more ram is better than less of the faster ram if you weigh up the pros and cons

BaneII · 11-26-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xink

i think more ram is better than less of the faster ram if you weigh up the pros and cons

Ditto.

**kormendi** · 11-26-2005, 05:11 PM

http://www.tcmagazine.info/articles....howarticle=128

That article compares the same RAM (2x512) running in single channel and dual channel modes. The conclusion is that outside of synthetic benchmarks dual does not provide a clear advantage over single. In some cases it even harmed performance.

So given the above, more ram in single mode would most likely be more beneficial than less in a dual channel configuration.

11-21-2005, 08:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Beatnik Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, TX Age: 33 Posts: 4,312	Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? I've been running into some framerate issues lately, and with BF2 going up to ~650 megs in the process menu, I think that's pushing my 1 gig of RAM. First, here are my relevant specs: AMD 2600+, 400 mhz FSB 1 gig (2 x 512) DDR 333, dual channel to saturate the FSB ATI 9800 Pro, 256 meg memory I run my game at 1024x768, since the LCD TV I run it on is widescreen (1366x768). Running at 800x600 on my old monitor with a ATI All in Wonder 9700 Pro gave me no hiccups and let me even run 4x AA. With this card I have a few settings on med, the rest on low and only average ~25-30 fps. My question is this: If I get another stick of 512 (333), will that improve my performance, given that all 3 sticks will be limited to 333? It's only 40 bucks for this, but I definitely can't afford to blow even that much on something that won't give me some lift in performance in BF2/BF2 SF. Thanks. __________________ -F- Beatnik

11-22-2005, 12:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
perry Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,494	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? You don't think 1.5gigs is better than 1gig, at the same speed? I don't think dual channel can overcome that big of a difference. I think loading time would decrease, maybe less stuttering, but I doubt you'd get a 10FPS jump or something. I jumped from 1 to 1.5gig (dual channel with both) and noticed a difference in BF2.

11-22-2005, 02:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Drizzid Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Age: 37 Posts: 2,928	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? Ok I have a question that's in this line so I'll give it a shot. I have the same problems as Beatnik. I have a 2.4c 800 FB, 1gig ram 400mhz, radeon sapphire atlantis 256mb vid card and I have everything turned to low and I'm barely getting 50 fps on a good day mostly 40-45fps. I have a AMD atlon 64 3400+ but it's the 754 socket. would increasing ram to 2gigs and going to the amd chip make a significant increase in overall performance or should I just increase ram. Any opinions would be appreciated

11-22-2005, 06:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Beatnik Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, TX Age: 33 Posts: 4,312	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? Cool thx for the replies. I've got another issue (I went and bought a stick - can always return it if it doesn't improve stuff) that I'll address in a new post. Thanks. __________________ -F- Beatnik

11-22-2005, 06:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
ScratchMonkey Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Pablo, California Posts: 3,915	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? 3 sticks would mean you'd split your memory between dual-channel and single-channel. How that affects performance depends on how the OS lays out itself and an app. Ideally the most-frequently-used code and data would go in the dual-channel, but I have no idea how Windows decides what to put where. __________________ Sig

11-25-2005, 12:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
wildcat2000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pueblo, CO Age: 31 Posts: 518	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? Beatnik, I have 2 gig PC 4200, I noticed the difference upgrading from 1 gig to 2 gig. My computer is not as sluggish as it was being able to minimize BF2 and open something else, and plus i am able to max out the video settings. __________________

11-26-2005, 07:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Overlag Join Date: May 2003 Location: NE Outer London, UK Age: 26 Posts: 1,540	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? normaly dual channel setups need to have ram fitting in pairs, or, it needs the two channels to be the same size. ie Channel 1 with 1gig in it channel 2 with 2x512mb in it im thinking the computer will either be unstable, or back down to single channel mode.. which isnt too much of a loss on a XP system. __________________ From Adam Webb

11-26-2005, 01:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Overlag Join Date: May 2003 Location: NE Outer London, UK Age: 26 Posts: 1,540	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? well for the games that need that 1.5gig then yeah, they will be faster even with the slower ram speed the ones that dont need that 1.5gig will perform slower but i doubt it will be noticable __________________ From Adam Webb

11-26-2005, 04:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Xink Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: England Age: 21 Posts: 793	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? i think more ram is better than less of the faster ram if you weigh up the pros and cons __________________

11-26-2005, 05:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
kormendi Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fairfax, Virginia Age: 27 Posts: 2,147	Re: Will more RAM give better BF2 performance than less, dual channel RAM? http://www.tcmagazine.info/articles....howarticle=128 That article compares the same RAM (2x512) running in single channel and dual channel modes. The conclusion is that outside of synthetic benchmarks dual does not provide a clear advantage over single. In some cases it even harmed performance. So given the above, more ram in single mode would most likely be more beneficial than less in a dual channel configuration. __________________ Team Fortress 2 Admin \| NS Admin PM me if you have any questions/concerns regarding the server.

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