Dual channel question.

[Abstract Hero]

So I'm rebuilding an Acer desktop for my brother and I have 2 sets of ram. Well one set is 3gb but they don't match so it would be single channel. That's what originally came from Acer for some stupid reason. The other set is 2gb dual channel.

Which will benefit him more?

both sets are the same speed.

He's using this for light gaming G-mod, Starcraft, etc.
and picture/video editing. Vegas Pro, CS 5, etc.

 

[MindoverMaster]

I would use the 2GB dual channel. An extra Gig doesn't really do a whole lot when not in dual channel.

 

[PP Mguire]

More ram. The programs for picture and video editing will use more ram more because even though 2gb in dual will have more bandwidth whatever cant fit in ram goes to the slow HDD pagefile.

If its 3 sticks for 3gb then just add another stick for 4gb.

 

[C0RR0SIVE]

I vote more ram over more bandwidth, because when that 2gb gets filled, you end up using the pagefile, a lot.

 

[Abstract Hero]

More ram. The programs for picture and video editing will use more ram more because even though 2gb in dual will have more bandwidth whatever cant fit in ram goes to the slow HDD pagefile.

If its 3 sticks for 3gb then just add another stick for 4gb.

It's 2 sticks so what I'll probably do is buy another 2gb stick to match the one for his birthday or something.
Sadly we couldn't fit getting a mobo with 4 RAM slots into the budget but I'm sure 3gb and than 4gb will do him fine.

But I thought along the same lines since he wants to use Vegas, ram amount is really what's important.