I believe that 4 sticks will consume more power. Potentially more memory could also be less stable.

I try to go with a single stick if I have the capacity, or two sticks if it's a dual channel memory machine.

I think that the dual channel wasn't used before Pentium 4 chipsets.
Your point about power consumption is right. I will try one 256MB module if I would be able find one.
Unless someone else here denounces why other configuration would be better?

It's a 440BX chipset, so 256MB modules need to be the correct type in order to work. Basically, a brand name module with 16 or 18 chips on it (8 or 9 per side). 18 chips would be ECC, which is supported on the 440BX but it really doesn't matter if this is for games.

I agree about using 1 256MB module instead of 4x64MB modules, but it's not a big deal either way. One 256MB will produce less heat and there's less things to go wrong than with 4 modules.
If you get 2x128MB modules, you won't need to worry about compatibility and they might be cheaper. I don't know what current pricing is like.

You can also use registered memory, but there's really no need unless you're trying to max out the RAM at 1GB. Even at 1GB you can mostly get away with unbuffered memory. Unbuffered memory is a bit faster than registered, and unbuffered SDRAM more commonly supports PC133 so it will let you play with overclocking if you want.

I do not plan to overclock. I believe that 1024MB is too much. There's no need so much memory for Win9x system.
There are some ECC sticks available, but those are little more expensive and I don't see any advantage to use this type of memory.
Actually I have looked for 256MB stick and there are 100MHz and 133MHz available. I know that 133MHz will be faster, but is it compatible with 440BX motherboard or maybe should I go with 100Mhz?

I never experienced anything like "PC133 RAM does not work on this board since its supporting PC100". I never heard anything like that either, but you learn something new everyday.

As far as I know, If the board does not support PC133, It will use it like a PC100 RAM.

I always use PC133 memory in PC100 machines. The reason is that you can run them at tighter timings.

For example if you read the SPD of a PC133 memory, it's typciall CL3 at 133, but CL2 at 100. So on a PC100 machine, set the CL to CL2 and you get a nice speed boost.

Awesome! So I will go for 133Mhz.

I just received the package with motherboard. Acctually there's Pentium III 450MHz installed onboard. I will still fit since those was produced in 1999 (26-Feb-99 according to http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Pentium-III/Int … 450512E%29.html).
There was bonus included in the package: 64MB PC100 ram stick. I don't need to bother anymore about compatible memory module. I will replace this with 256MB PC133 in the future.

Why is this not in Marvin?

Because this thread was about advice on memory modules..