Dual Channel RAM

[ArfurAnt]

Are there any benefits to using dual channel RAM for GBPVR. I am about to upgrade my Shuttle which is struggling with 512MB of PC2700 in a single stick running a Nova-T USB2 and 4 MVP's.
I wish to add a second tuner and another MVP or two and don't know whether I will benefit from replacing the existing RAM with a matched pair of 512's or to add a stick of 1GB. The machine is predominantly used for GBPVR.
Does anyone know the pro's and con's of dual channel RAM for PVR boxes, for about £70 I could end up with 1GB of dual channel or 1.5GB of regular! Any advice will be welcome,
Happy New Year,
ArfurAnt

[ArfurAnt]

Cheers,
I shall take yor advice and go for the extra 1GB,
ArfurAnt

[reboot]

Personally, I would get two matching 1 gb sticks, and run them dual channel.

[Chris.Day]

If you're using the onboard IGP video, running in dual-channel gives a significant performance boost (more so than on nForce2 with add-in AGP card).

[ArfurAnt]

Thanks guys,
How matched do matched pairs need to be? If I get a 1GB stick now will I be able to get the same spec in the future to take it up to 2GB and still use dual channel? I am just using the onboard Graphics which are fine for my use and I may start using the second VGA output soon.
I am looking at getting the recommended Kingston PC2700 memory, but don't really understand this dual memory thing!
Happy New Year

[elricfate]

Kinda yea. I've run dual channel with a stick of mushkin and a generic stick of samsung pc3200.

Normally, if your board isn't super touchy, you can just use two same size, same speed DIMMs of ddr and bam, dual channel. My nforce2 board seems to like them.

[ArfurAnt]

Thanks - I will see how I get on with 1.5GB and maybe swap out the 512 with another 1GB in the future. Always nice to have an uopgrade path!