I have a AMD 5200+ on a dual channel memory supporting asrock mobo which supports up to 8gig of 667 (800mhz) ddr2, currently i have a single stick of apacer 4300 ddr2.
the system is brand new but running slowly, when i do a benchmark on the cpu it is running way below the number it should according to the benchmark numbers it puts out on the table.. would this be caused by the ram speed and size and the fact dual channel is not being used? when i click on a tab in explorer 7 it stays like i havent clicked the tab for a few seconds then does its thing without a problem, this only usually occurs when i have a few tabs open.. any ideas..? the benchmark program was 3dmarko6, according to the processor table mine is running much slower than a 5200+ should run.. Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.

This is why I never benchmark my system...

Personally, I think your computer just needs a couple of defrags...try around 5 with the windows standard one.

If that doesn't help, upgrade your RAM...double what you have in there currently.

thanks mate. well i was only benchmarking the crappy video card i got as stock to have a comparrison to laugh at.
but while i was in the benchmark i did notice the cpu mark. frankly, rather horrible.. could you tell me if dual channel makes much of a difference to a system?

No worries

Yea, Dual Channel does make a difference...it essentially doubles the speed with which your memory can be accessed from the computer.
Similar to how RAID0 is faster than just a normal hard drive.

is there a defrag program that i only need to run once?

There are a few...but I can't think of their names right now...

Each time you do it, the time gets shorter and shorter.