Does dual channel really make a difference?

[fall3n]

I'm looking to get more ram for my iMac. Either a 2gb chip or a 2x1gb depending on how much dual channel makes a difference.

If I get the 2gb chip then I'll have 2.5gb total, if I get the 2x1gb then I'll have 2gb with dual channel. Which will provide the best performance?

 

[Scannall]

I'm looking to get more ram for my iMac. Either a 2gb chip or a 2x1gb depending on how much dual channel makes a difference.

If I get the 2gb chip then I'll have 2.5gb total, if I get the 2x1gb then I'll have 2gb with dual channel. Which will provide the best performance?

Dual channel doesn't really matter on this incarnation of iMac.

 

[Sun Baked]

The most memory you can use usually gives the best all round improvement.

The difference between using the VM Manager (aka HD at MB/sec) is a bigger improvement over simply doubling RAM bandwidth (aka GB/sec).

50 vs. 5000 (HDvs.RAM) is orders of magnitude better than 5000 vs. 10000 (RAMvs.RAM)