Single vs dual channel RAM in a laptop

I have a new Dell Vostro 5590 i7 10510U laptop with 8GB DDR4 RAM 2666 Mhz and a NVidia MX250 GPU with 2GB. Win10 Pro. NVMe SSD.

The RAM is running in single channel currently. There is an available RAM slot that can be used to increase RAM. If I add another 8GB “stick’’ of DDR4 2666 MHz RAM (to total 16GB), I presume the RAM will then run in dual channel. Will this make the laptop faster overall?

Not because the laptop is slow, but I want to get the most out of it.

Real world...........you probably wouldn't notice the difference.

You MIGHT notice a difference purely because you moved from 8 to 16, never mind the single/dual difference--------but you likely wouldn't notice that either UNLESS you are continually using all of your current 8. That's possible, but not typical.

It would allow you to feel better about yourself because you done something to make it "faster", particularly if you are a benchmark type. Better than the opposite. Who would want to be "slower", when you could point to a benchmark that says otherwise?

The RAM can bottleneck the CPU when benchmark testing.
In real world testing you won't notice the difference.
You would need to push the computer to extremes.

Most end users do not overclock laptops.
So for the typical laptop you won't notice the difference again when using single as compared to dual channel.

When adding or replacing RAM these are important:
a) Use RAM that is displayed on the computer or motherboard manufacturers Qualified Vendor List (QVL)
b) Always purchase in pairs with matching SKU (so that there are no compatibility problems)
c) Consider RAM manufacturers offering lifetime warranty

When adding or replacing RAM consider the pricing for two 8GB versus one 16 GB.
If its a minor difference go with the two 8 GB.

One other factor to consider is having four DIMM with 2 RAM modules.
Typically adding only one RAM module converts dual channel into single channel.
The single and dual channel refer to the function of the motherboard.
In the owners manual it may indicate which DIMM to use when using one versus two RAM modules.


Single Channel vs Dual Channel Memory: Which Is Better? | Beebom
RAM Performance Benchmark: Single-Channel vs. Dual-Channel - Does It Matter? | GamersNexus - Gaming PC Builds & Hardware Benchmarks

Consider using the Crucial scanner for available options:
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Thanks for all the comments and those links on single vs. dual channel configurations. I am not after “benchmark scores”, but rather, considering that this laptop is already on the higher spec end, plus the fact that this is a relatively cheap and easy upgrade (my local PC store down the road sells the recommended compatible Crucial brand part), thought it might make sense.

I guess then there is no harm in doing the upgrade but it comes down to cost vs reward which, it seems, is probably not going to be tangible. This is not a gaming laptop, used for business - Microsoft Office, some large Excel spreadsheets and also a bit of Photoshop work.

Hi,
I'd fill it up personally if cost wasn't stupid high

Crucial System Scanner

Thanks for all the comments. I have gone ahead and bought the additional RAM. Too soon to say if there is any perceivable improvement but regardless, at least I know the system is a little more optimal now, running 16GB in dual channel.