How big a difference will 2 gigs of RAM make compared to 1?

I'm definitely upgrading my MacBook to at least a gig of RAM when I get it, but I am thinking about upgrading to 2. Unfortunately, even after-market RAM is rather expensive in 1GB modules.
My question is: Will I see any major differences in performance between the 1 and 2 gigs of RAM while playing games with similar requirements to Apple's "Intermediate Gaming" games such as UT2004?
What about a scenario of running iTunes, several web pages in your favorite web browser, some sort of filesharing app, one or two IM clients (Adium and Skype/Gizmo), and the odd number of little background apps? How about on Leopard, or even on <insert name of cat to be 10.6>?
Sorry about the pummeling of questions :P

Elispiro,
Normally, I recommend 1.5 GBs for any Mac that will be "put through its paces," as gaming does. Having this amount of RAM allows for plenty of "Inactive" physical memory, which is the figure that provides a big speed boost.
You see, having enough RAM to avoid excessive "swaps" while you are using your applications provides speed boost #1. This is the most important reason to upgrade RAM, and it happens at around 1 GB. Speed boost #2 will be delivered by having a bit more than this 1 GB threshhold, through the use and maintainance of a large amount of "Inactive" memory. This memory contains code and data for applications that have quit, but might be launched again in the near future, thus speeding the availability of these applications to a great degree. 1.5 GBs of RAM provides this boost in most circumstances.
As I say, this is what I normally recommend. For owners of the new Macbooks (and Macbook Pros), however, there is another consideration. If you install memory in "matching pairs" of RAM modules, the RAM bus on the new machines will operate in "Dual-Channel" mode. This mode allows the DIMMs to be accessed simultaneously, on the same clock cycle, thereby increasing the total memory throughput.
For the Macbook Pros, this is a minor speed boost. On the Macbooks, though, it is reported that this small boost really helps with the "integrated" graphics. Since the integrated graphics processor must share main memory, this Dual-Channel mode becomes very important. Especially true of you want to play any games
So for you, I recommend going directly to 2 GBs. This is the only configuration that will give you every posssible speed boost that additional RAM will provide. It need not be as expensive as you might be thinking. a 2 GB "kit" for your Macbook is less than $200 US on this website. I'm don't know the ramifications of purchasing/shipping from Canada, but I wouldn't think it would be a problem.
Scott

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