RAM

[suicidal_monkey]

I'm considernig upgrading my ram from 2x 256mb pc2100 units to a pc3200 setup (seeing as my new mobo can manage the 400fsb) only I am a little confused...

Would I be better off buying a single 512mb pc3200 chip, or a paired set of 2x256mb chips in terms of performance? the mobo has 3 slots, so there'd still be potential for upgrading the amount of memory even if I went for the 2x256 setup, though I don't think I'm likely to need more than 512 for a while...

Also, will I notice any dramatic performance differences when going from pc2100 to pc3200, or should I just get more pc2100 and keep the current 2x256 in place?

 

[TeaLeaf]

Personally I would go for 1 x 512MB at the moment and get another stick to give yourself 1GB in due course.  If your motherboard can run dual channel mode (assuming you are talking AMD of course) then get your 2 sticks will run faster than one, but you'd be hard pressed to notice the difference in use.

Also, buy up to the fastest setting you can and buy a decent brand.  I came across some cheaper PC3500 recently that would not even run at 200FSB let alone their rated speed!  Given the price of the RAM at the moment then going for PC3500 will be as cheap as PC3200 and therefore PC3500 would be what I recommend.

TL.

[Jamoe]

a list of brands would be usefull.


at the moment I've got 512 of cheap ebuyer stuffs. (pc2700)

A couple of days ago I almost bought 2 512mb 3200 sticks of crucial memory. Ive used them befor and never had any problems, but i dont know how they compare to better brands.

[Anonymous]

Given that the mobo has 3 slots you may not see any benefit in pairing RAM. However, it might be cheaper to do 2x256 than 1x512.

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by Jamoe@Jul 22 2004, 12:10 PM
a list of brands would be usefull.


at the moment I've got 512 of cheap ebuyer stuffs. (pc2700)

A couple of days ago I almost bought 2 512mb 3200 sticks of crucial memory. Ive used them befor and never had any problems, but i dont know how they compare to better brands.

Crucial is a very good make.  Not wonderful if overclocking is your thing; but for solid, reliable, RAM at stock speeds you can't go far wrong.

For RAM you want to overclock.  Choose companies like: Corsair (not their ValueRAM), OCZ, & TwinMOS.  Pick a part that will do more than the specified front-side bus speed of your motherboard.

Avoid Geil, generic, or anything marked budget.

[TeaLeaf]

Corsair and OCZ is who I tend to use most often.  Definitely not the cheapest but I have never had a problem with either brand yet.  And they *always* run at the speed they are rated for, which is more than can be said for the last 2x512MB PC3200 dual channel set of TwinMOS sticks that I came across that refused to run at anything like 200MHz  :angry:

TL.

[suicidal_monkey]

hmmm, in that case Corsair value select pc3200 for £65ish it'll have to be (this ram for me doesn't need to be overclockable and there's not really much 3500 out there) everything else that's not "Geil/generic/etc" seems to be easily over £100!!! my current ram is generic (no-name) pc2100 which kept my computer going strong! I'd best see a performance increase with pc3200 ram over pc2100 (fsb ratio 400:266) though if I manage to sell my old computers that'll help fund new ram, whilst making space to breathe in my flat!!!

[TeaLeaf]

Note:  I have never tried the 'value' Corsair RAM.  Uberrima fides.

TL.

[suicidal_monkey]

Originally posted by TeaLeaf@Jul 22 2004, 02:26 PM
Uberrima fides

keep your latin out of this :ph34r:

[Jamoe]

cool, i would love to OC but tbh i dont think ill ever get round to it.

ill stick with crucial for the time being (or untill they pay me more).

they have a nice site, and you can usualy pickout ur motherbard amke and they list recommended memory for that board. Its always worked for me in the past.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/index.asp

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/MPartspecs...WSPN=CT6464Z40B

for my motherboard, was thinking of getting 2 of them. You also get 5 quid off if u buy 2 :dribble:

oh and they also offer free delivery(and its usualy very fast )

[Barley]

I have two sticks of Geil 512MB PC3200 RAM inside my PC.  Works wonderfully  Can't get the FSB as high as I'd like to though because my motherboard is a tit touchy at certain settings.

Currently got the FSB at 185Mhz with a multiplier of 12.5 if I remember rightly.  Giving my PCU a nice 30% speed increase.  That'll do pig, that'll do