Q: I'm fixing a friends computer and she has a HP Pavilion a614n with 2 memory slots.The current memory installed is 1stick of 256 of ram which i want to replace with 1 stick of 1GB ram since that's the maximum the computer will allow. After doing a little research I'm finding that many people are having problems with just 1 GB sticks of ram. Does having 2 sticks of 512 vs 1 stick of 1GB make a difference? Should i just order two 512MB sticks or go ahead with the 1GB stick? Mind you the 1GB is cheaper but i do want the system to work, any and all advice is appreciated.
A: Use 2x 512 MB (fastest operating freq. the board will take) this will open dual channel and give you 2 lanes to use simultaneously instead of one lane with 1 gigs of ram. no matter the amount of ram you want to use (total) you should always split it between 2 or 4 sticks, then again your board may not even support dual channel ram.