Question on RAM

[JaMBo]

Which would you guys recomend 2 gigs of (2-3-2-5) DDR 400 RAM or 2 gigs of (3-3-2-8) DDR 500 RAM? Also would I lose performance speed if I go from 2 sticks of 1 gig to 4 sitcks of 1 gig? My friend told me that when you start getting to larger ammounts of memmory the dual channel doesn't matter as much so I'm not sure whether in the future I should get new memmory again or just go for 2 more sticks.

EDIT* Also what are the possibilities of OCing the timing and such. (Sorry about starting a new thread for RAM since there is already one up but mines a bit different ;))

[Fozzik]

If your plan is to overclock, the DDR500 will probably give you more room. Hard to say though, it looks like you picked out some high quality DDR400 vs. some mediocre quality DDR500. It would be close. If you aren't really going to overclock, go with the DDR400, no question.

Going up to four sticks of RAM generally means you will have to relax the timings a bit, so the controller can keep up with everything. I think dropping from 1T to 2T command rate usually covers it, and the rest of the timings can stay the same. This increases latency a bit, but once you have an OS that can use 4GB of RAM, the size should more than make up for the slight loss of performance.

There's really no way to know whether a stick will run at lower timings than what it is rated at. It depends on a lot of factors. Keep in mind, though... lower timings don't really equate to that much of a performance increase in real-world apps. Overclocking the hypertransport and the memory clock speed will make more of a difference... although it still won't be huge. Mostly people get higher-rated RAM like that DDR500 just because they want to overclock their CPU without having to lock the memory bus speed.

[Traldan]

On a slightly related note, I'm looking for a little advice/help on my ram. I've got 2 gigs (4x512) of Corsair Valueselect DDR2533. PC is an Asus P5GD2 Deluxe mobo and a P4 530 (3.0GHz) overclocked to 3.15 atm (210 fsb). My ram is rated for 3-3-3-9 at 200mhz, and 4-4-4-12 at 266. When I bump my fsb to 215, the timings get much worse (around 4-5-5-15 iirc), and the automatically set ratio goes from 3:4 FSB:DRAM to 1:1. I actually get reduced performance (worse benchmarks) due to these worse timings.

I've looked around a bit, asked friends, and I'm still not quite sure. I'm trying to figure out how to change the ratio so that it gives me better timings, if that's possible. The big question is will increasing my fsb even more, despite the worse timings, help make up for the timings, or make it even worse? And how far would you recommend going to prevent breaking anything too bad?

[Fozzik]

Honestly, I don't overclock... so I can't be much help with specifics of particular hardware.

Because of DDR2's much worse timings (when you get much above 3 cycles for things it starts to make a difference), it best to get DDR2 667 if at all possible. The faster the clock, the better the crappy timings will be covered up.

Sorry, I know that isn't any help. The fact is, I don't think there is much you're going to be able to do from an overclocking standpoint to improve on the stock performance of that hardware.

[Docs]

Foz, quick question on memory and how you feel about it.

1. What brand do you normally pefer?
2. What type do you normally purchase (PC3200, etc..)?
a) For performance, durability, relability or?
b) What MB board do you stick with if A) performance, or durability, or relability comes into question.

3. Wish list question, what brand and type of memory do you usually aim for when your deciding to build your dream machine.
A) If 2a) and 2B) apply or if Price comes to question.

I've used many different brands, i just want to see how you feel about your memory you choose.

[Fozzik]

1. There are several different brands of memory that I consider to be great quality and solid performers. Corsair, Crucial, Mushkin, OCZ, and maybe a few others. What I get when I buy or when I recommend a system depends on which of those manufacturers at the time of purchase offers the speed, timings, and price that I want. Also, in some cases it's good to check what has been tested with a particular motherboard in order to further narrow the choices.

2. Depends on the system. Right now, for an AMD system, I purchase and recommend PC3200. I don't overclock, PC3200 has been out for quite a while and manufacturers are making very solid RAM, and it's all you need for a very fast gaming system on the AMD side.

a) As I said above, there are multiple different brands that fit most of the things I look for in RAM (speed, reliability, and price). Which one offers the best deal for a given system on a given day...depends.

b)Motherboards? I thought this was about RAM? ;)
Again, when it comes to motherboards, there are several brands that I generally think are solid, and they are the same ones you probably think of... Asus, Abit, MSI, etc. Which one depends on the particular situation, features, speed, and price. All manufacturers have made some crappy motherboards at one point or another, but the names mentioned above usually make solid products. Each mobo is like a snowflake, though... you have to look at reviews/comparisons of the exact model you are considering in order to decide which is best.

3) If price is a consideration, then we aren't talking about my dream machine. ;) Check my recommendation for the $1500 and $2000 systems, or check the thread on the computer I just built for myself. What I picked out is what I thought was best, from a performance, stability, size, and price standpoint.

[Docs]

2. Depends on the system. Right now, for an AMD system, I purchase and recommend PC3200. I don't overclock, PC3200 has been out for quite a while and manufacturers are making very solid RAM, and it's all you need for a very fast gaming system on the AMD side.

I couldnt agree more.

b)Motherboards? I thought this was about RAM?

It was just i am a all in one, person. If one thing changes, so does the rest. HEHE

I am a MB/Memory freak. I like to keep my standards the same, especially when it comes to boards like Asus, MSI. I also have a no buy policy when it comes to lower quality boards. Id rather spend the extra 100 bucks and buy the right board for the right person.

3) If price is a consideration, then we aren't talking about my dream machine. Check my recommendation for the $1500 and $2000 systems, or check the thread on the computer I just built for myself. What I picked out is what I thought was best, from a performance, stability, size, and price standpoint.

I will and thanks for your comparison. YOu like to think on my lvl aswell. I do like to keep my standards up there. The only standard i will never break, is the one where a customer asks me to reduce my builds, to meet their price. I wish i can help everyone out but not when it comes to building a shitty computer and put my name to it.