this is funny
Dual channel memory spanks regular single channel architecture for performance of between 2%-8% for the "same amount of ram"
Sticking 4 sticks of ram into a dual channel mainboard actually slows down system performance because the memory controller has to use bank interleave mode to read, write and refresh each stick of ram. this causes a significant drop in overall system performance. However 4 sticks of 512mb of ram will be faster IF the application uses all the ram rather than 2 sticks of 1Gb.
If you run small apps and dont have the requirement of more than 1g it pays to use only 2 sticks of 512. IF you need the extra ram then use 2 1Gb sticks NOT 4 512mb sticks. this is true for ALL dual channel mainboards.
The Via KT800 chipset is better off with as few populated slots as possible, if you populate all 3 slots say goodbye to system performance by as much as 15%.
The intel 955 chipset actually gets around the bank interleave mode problem by using much faster DDR2 ram with higher cas to ras timings that dont need to be refreshed so often ( are actually refreshed during idle cpu cycles therefore not wasting processor activite cycles ).
Beware of the cheaper SIS, VIA and intel chipset mainboards . Many of them cannot run PC3200 (DDR 400) bus speeds if you populate more than one slot. Once you introduce a second stick of ram system stability only remains by decreasing the bus speed down to 333 instead of 400 Mhz , needless to say this is actually noticable.
hopes this helps to clear up a few misunderstandings on computer architecture .
Ohh btw i run .....
Intel P4 D duo core 3.6ghz cpu
Asus I955 chipset mainboard
2 GB kit ( 2X 1gb) Geil PC5400
Weston digital raptor 150Gb hdd (boot)
Weston digital 400GB ide drive in network attached storage.
Nvidia geforce 7900gt PCI-E vga card.
SB audigy 4 pro
LG DVD-RW dual layer DVD-RW (external)
21" wide screen Acer LCD flat panel
saitek eclipse keyboard
Microsoft mouse.
Logitech Z680 speakers
1200VA MGE ups battery backup system