Strange RAM story.

[MontanaFX]

My mobo can support upto 8gb of RAM, and thus has 4 slots. Two DIMM 0 & two DIMM 1. I only have two x 1gb modules and decided to see how moving the modules between DIMM 0 (Synchronous) and DIMM 1 (Non-synchronous) would effect performance. (You cant mix DIMM 0 & 1).

I have been using a Sync setup for a while, so I tried out non-sync, but not before knowing my Vista performance rating. The two effected areas were my hard drive transfer rate and my 3D graphics rating. Non-sync scores 5.5 3D gfx and 5.6 HD. After the swap to non-sync, the two figures swapped places. I then ran a 3Dmark06 score expecting higher scores due to slightly better 3D gfx rating, but was surprised to find it had fallen slightly. In light of that info, I returned the RAM back to Sync, then checked out my Vista performance rating. I clicked the update icon then waited. It didnt change from what it showed went using the non-sync config, even though it changed when 1st changing the modules.

(While writing that, I realised its probably something to do with the HD not being defragged. Not such a strange story after all.

[polobunny]

Vista performance thingie isn't a good benchmark. Use everest or Sisoft Sandra to find out about the effects of dual. :)

[MontanaFX]

Will do :Thumbsup:

Isnt 3Dmark06 any good.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

Will do :Thumbsup:

Isnt 3Dmark06 any good.

It's alright, but it's more video card oriented and it takes a while to run. Everest and Sisoft Sandra only take a few seconds.

[MontanaFX]

I have actually got Everest but didnt realise it could benchmark. I will have to have a ganders.

EDIT: I just had a look a Everest and it doent seem to do a full system performance rating, but instead does the individual hardware.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

I have actually got Everest but didnt realise it could benchmark. I will have to have a ganders.

EDIT: I just had a look a Everest and it doent seem to do a full system performance rating, but instead does the individual hardware.

No, none do a full system benchmark at once. Why do you want to do a full system benchmark anyway?
Since you changed memory, you have to bench the memory. That's what will get affected. :P

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by polobunny

No, none do a full system benchmark at once. Why do you want to do a full system benchmark anyway?
Since you changed memory, you have to bench the memory. That's what will get affected. :P

From what I gather, what he is trying to do, is get an overall rating with his system when running Dual channel, and without Dual channel........
It that what your after MontanaFX?

[MontanaFX]

Originally Posted by stinger608

From what I gather, what he is trying to do, is get an overall rating with his system when running Dual channel, and without Dual channel........
It that what your after MontanaFX?

Exactly, coz different RAM configs effect the rest of the system.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by stinger608

From what I gather, what he is trying to do, is get an overall rating with his system when running Dual channel, and without Dual channel........
It that what your after MontanaFX?

Oh. Um it's hard to get a good benchmark then. I guess you could look over at 3DMark06 then, but it's not really precise and it only counts on VGA and CPU performance, though there's a section for HDD performance too.

[MontanaFX]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Oh. Um it's hard to get a good benchmark then. I guess you could look over at 3DMark06 then, but it's not really precise and it only counts on VGA and CPU performance, though there's a section for HDD performance too.

It gauges performance while gaming pretty well and thats my top priority.