Consider using two sticks if you don’t want to utilize every available RAM.
Consider using two sticks if you don’t want to utilize every available RAM.
I'm upgrading an old workstation and have a chance to purchase 32GB ECC DDR sticks at a low price. This machine will never exceed 20GB of RAM. Should I get two 32GB sticks instead of one? Could it help with load balancing? It will run at 2133.
What is this old workstation? RDIMMs don't work in a lot of setups, so you need to make sure that this workstation supports them and you aren't just gonna get a paperweight. Yes. Almost every motherboard setup I'm aware of has at least two memory channels (the platforms that support RDIMMs usually support 4 or more), with each memory channel being effectively its own memory controller with its own memory bandwidth. Because of this, having two sticks installed (one for each channel) effectively doubles the memory performance that the system can achieve over just running a single stick. System performance actually scaling with that extra memory bandwidth is a different story (basically nothing doubles performance with dual channel rather than single), but there is usually a rather large performance uplift by doing so (10-30% depending on the application).
The upgrade from 2 to 4 offers a noticeable performance boost compared to the 1 to 2 step.
Consider checking the detailed specifications on Dell's website to identify the processor and memory configurations. The user manual will provide essential information. Intel workstations can support different channel types, offering improved performance with multiple RAM sticks. Using four RAM modules in a workstation is recommended for optimal results. If the PC includes a Xeon processor, it’s advisable to purchase compatible RAM and additional sticks. Always verify specs before making a purchase. Checking CPU details will also help determine the maximum and minimum RAM capacities.
It varies based on the task. Sometimes the gap between 2 and 4 is significant, but it's usually smaller than the jump from 1 to 2. With a 4-channel board, I'd prefer all four channels to be active.