This trick doesn't affect 2 GB Sticks at all. Please read what I wrote before. 2 GB Stcks are by default formated in FAT16 mode, so formating it via Windows gives nothing.
Also it dosn't affect 4 GB SanDisk Ultra II, those Sticks are fast enough without formating.
Now I'm not so sure, if that adding default formating in FAT16 is such a good idea. 4 GB partition with FAT16 are propably supported by Windows XP only (maybe 2003 server also, i'm not sure about Vista)