I am upgrading the memory on a Dell PowerEdge 1800 Server running Windows Server 2000 (32 bit). My Computer -> Properties currently reports 2,096,432 KB RAM (4 modules @ 512MB each).
Crucial.com scan reports:
"Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 2GB per slot.
Maximum Memory Capacity: 12288MB
Currently Installed Memory: 2GB
Available Memory Slots: 2
Total Memory Slots: 6
Dual Channel Support: No
CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
CPU Family: Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 2.80GHz Model 4, Stepping 1
CPU Speed: 2793 MHz
Installed in pairs of modules."
We will be completely replacing the old 512 MB modules.
Will there be any performance difference between installing 4 modules @ 1GB vs. 2 modules @ 2GB?
Best Answer
There shouldn't be any measurable performance difference.
The reason that 2x2GB costs more than 4x1GB is that there is an implied value in buying bigger DIMMs, in that you are less likely to have to throw the bigger DIMMs away if/when you go to increase memory again.
If you are using Windows 2000 Server Standard, the maximum addressable memory is 4GB, and there's no way to go beyond that and you might as well just buy the 2x1GB -- leaving the 4x512MB in the server (unless there is a compelling reason to throw it away, in which case you'd buy 4x1GB).
If you have Advanced Server or Enterprise Server, the addressable memory is higher (8GB and 32GB respectively). If you think it possible that you will want to add memory again, then buying the 2x2GB is good value -- especially since you can leave 4x512MB in the board and have 6GB in the server initially.
(PS: Memory limits for 32-bit Windows 2000 versions)