You can, of course, do both, a GetString() and a GetRows() when you open the recordset or, probably better, do the GetString(), compare it immediately with the previous GetString() while the RecordSet is open and then if needed do the GetRows() so you have an Array. This, of course, assumes I am understanding what you are doing which may not be the case. Probably no need to put it in a buffer unless the Compare is unreasonably slow for some reason.
Jim