Memory and power consumption

[Seatrout]

Here's another newbie question...

I've seen on other forums that if you have problems to boot with four modules of memory you are often adviced to check the capability of your PSU.

I'm a bit puzzled by that. If I compare two modules of 1GB DDR2 memory each, with four modules totalling 4GB, would four modules really require much more "power"? And if so, how much?

/Seatrout

[burebista]

Nope, power consumption of memory is insignificant.
But with 4 sticks is a potentially problem with motherboard/CPU memory controller. Some MB's are not comfortable with 4 sticks of RAM

[jonnyGURU]

Right.

Power consumption issues with memory rarely have anything to do with the power supply. But will often have to do with the motherboard's ability to provide juice to the RAM.

[Seatrout]

OK, thanks for the replies!

/Seatrout

[Seatrout]

Well I thought I'd continue down the "memory-lane"...

Is there actually any benefit of using 4GB memory instead of 2GB if you just use your PC for gaming and "office-applications"? (And not running Vista 64-bit.)

/Seatrout

[jonnyGURU]

Not really. 2GB is probably more than adequate.

[LC_STiK]

XP can't "see" 4GB most of the time anyways. Like jonny said, the 2GB will be enough. If you're running an XP based system 3GB is the max you should go with, and (I don't know if this is true in all cases) if you use 3 sticks of RAM instead of 2, it sometimes deprives you of dual channel.

[burebista]

XP 32 can't see 4GB RAM. XP 64 is fine.

[LC_STiK]

XP 64 can utilize all 4GB (can, not will necessarily) correct?

@Seatrout- you're planning on XP 64 correct?