Computer memory question

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

This a bit long-winded, but work with me...

I've been around computers now for a long time, and have built my share of PCs. In my college years (and a little beyond) I was into gaming and always had the newest technology...always spent a great deal of time on anandtech and tomshardware, always keeping up with the newest stuff.

About two years ago, I got out of that phase and sold all but two of my computers, and haven't really been keeping up with things much lately. It doesn't seem as if too much has happened, looks like we've got the quasi-64 bit and true 64 bit processors on the market...none of that means anything to me as a home user right now though, not interested in going that route until applications require it...

Anyway, now that I have my home theater situation stabalized, I'm wanting to add a HTPC to the mix. Here's what I've got so far:

AMD Sempron 2400 (333mhz)
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe
3 60GB hard drives, Western Digital with the 8mb buffer
Pioneer 16x Dual Layer Dual format DVD burner
G-Force 2 Ti video card - yeah it's old
Using the SoundStorm on board via the N-force 2 chipset
Other miscellaneous cards (firewire, wireless, etc)
WinXP Pro

Notice anything missing?

Memory - that's where my question lies. Right now I've just got a DDR 266 256MB stick in there, but I want to take advantage of the dual channel support, at least I think I do.

Three questions:

1 - Am I going to notice any difference with the dual channel feature? How big of a deal is it?
2 - I am looking at getting 512MB of RAM, do I need more than that? IF so, how critical is that?
3 - What do I need to be looking for in terms of memory. I realize that there are different speeds, but don't understand the standards of measure. Even though my processor is 333mhz, should I be looking at PC3200 (400mhz) anyway, or is my processor going to bottleneck everything at 333 anyway?

I really only have about $100 to spend right now, so I think I'm gonna be limited to 512. I found a few sets of memory modules, any thoughts on any of these:

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3844957?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3974898?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3840107?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3982368?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If you've read this far, thanks for hearing me out and any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: Removed a few links as they really don't provide any information, so the four links above are now my choices...

stereo55 · January 2005

Duel channel will help improve your over-all performance but only by 1%-6% .
You would benifit more by going with 1gig (1024mb) of memory instead . A possible 10%-22% increase in over all performance with the added 2x512mb .
If you look around , you can probably find a deal on some name brand memory and a 2X512mb for about $150-$160 or so . Look at Crucial, Kingston , Mushkin , Corsair .

If I were you I'd try and go with 512mb (2X512) sticks verses 256mb (2x256) as its more future proof and less problematic using two sticks of mem verses a possble four (4X256) later on. Many mobo's become less stable when using 4 sticks of mem . Just something to think about .

Ive used 1024mb (2X512) of mem for years and would never go back to anything less then that , specialy if you do any real gaming or graphics . But over all the performance increase with 1024mb will definitly be noticeable in almost anything you do with your pc (duel channel or not) .

My personal findings of performace on my rig while using 2X512mb in duel channel improved by around 16%-18%

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

Thanks,

I'm a bit limited as I can only use more than 1 stick if I go with Dual Channel DDR, and 1GB of that will run between $150-200. I'm approaching this with a very strict budget because I've got so much else that I'm also trying to do outside the world of computers...so $100 is my limit.

I do agree that 1GB would be better, but it looks like that's something I'll have to add later on...

Also, I found and am currently reading this article

stereo55 · January 2005

With your budget , then I'd go with a single stick of 512mb for now and add a second 512 down the road . Dont worry too much about the duel channel for now , but keep in mind when you do go duel channel to match speed and latency .

I have an appointment to go to , so I'll read your posted article when I get back and comment on it then .

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

So if I understand correctly...

I don't have to buiy the memory in pairs to get dual channel? As long as I'm using same brand, speed and latency I can always add the secoind stick down the road?

If that's the case, then I guess them selling it in pairs is just a marketing ploy?

Thanks for the info.

faster100 · January 2005

buying from the same lot is best, but not always a problem.. its one of those " you could have problems" if you dont either use matched memory or from the same prodution run, basically if you buy a stick from joe smoe computers, 6 months from now the same stick will be from a different run, thus supposedly causing problems in "some cases" but In my experience// i use dual channel, one stick i bought and 6-8 months later got another from the same store, different run... i'll assume lol and its worked for a year no problems... dont get caught up in the matched pairs game... just buy a stick and run with it.. yes the dual channel needs to match far as specs and speed... i dont think even by brand.. unless we go back to my first comment... it "could" cause problems... But i dont think so

Sami · January 2005

There is no performance increase by going to 1GB if you're not running a dozen memory hogs the same time. For most gaming, a jump from 512MB to 1GB will not improve performance at all. If you have a DVD burning on and editing video at the same time, then 1GB or more of memory would be nice.

Go with PC2700 (333) 512MB memory, or another 256MB PC2100. For compatibility sake I would go with single PC2700 512MB. If you want to significantly increase performance you will need to get new mobo and CPU to go with the memory.

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

I know the motherboard isn't the newest, but it still ranks as one of the best performers on the Socket A platform.

A processor upgrade is definitely in my future, I'll go with the Athlon 3200+, but that'll be after I upgrade the video card. I'm not jumping on the 64 bit bandwagon until applications start requiring it...hell is WinXP 64 even on the shelves yet?

I thought about going with PC2700 to save money, but it's just as expensive as the 3200. Would there be an advantage with with 2700 over the 3200, such as being in sync with the CPU operating at 333mhz?

When I was into the computers thing before, I always had the latest and best hardware...I told myself that this time around is going to be different since I have other priorities as well, so I approach every purchase with a bit of caution...

Sami · January 2005

I am the same way you are. I had to have the latest ever since I got into the PC world (after the C64's and all) in the mid 90's. 486 33MHz with 100GB HD for $3000 was my first PC. Now it's middle-of-pack stuff for me.

I installed Windows XP x64 trial version on my computer last night. While bootup and GUI are a lot faster, 32bit applications actually run a little slower on it.

My point about the new mobo/pro was that you're not going to gain much performance out of that machine with withever memory you go with. For the best bang of the buck go with 512MB or new processor. Buy either PC2700 or PC3200 but set it to 333. What I have seen, different bus speeds on memory and processor slow things down. I haven't tried it myself though.

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

well I'm looking at the Athlon 3200 with the Barton core and 400mhz FSB, and that will be my Feb upgrade (limiting myself to 1 per month), so I might as well go ahead and get the 3200 memory right now so I'll have it for that upgrade...

I don't really think I can do any better for a motherboard on the Socket A platform, and it looks like I'll be sticking with that for a while. I just upgraded from an Abit board, did lots of research and in every article I found this board I got is always in the top ranks...

I've got to do memory before processor, becuase the thing doesn't run too well with only 256MB Ram, especially when burning DVDs.

Then next month will be processor, then vid card, then we'll see...

So would I get any performance increase by going with two 256 Dual Channel sticks (total 512 dual channel) instead of 1 512 stick (assuming other factors constant)? I know that if I get only one 512 now that I can upgrade later by adding another 512, but I doubt I'll be lucky enough to find another stick later that has the same specs as the one I buy today...

Sami · January 2005

Are you sure it supports Athlon 64? No mention about it in Asus site: Edit: sorry, you said Athlon 3200+, not 64 3200+

http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=A7N8X-E%20Deluxe&langs=09

Athlon 64's are for socket 939.

Get CL2 memory, dual channel or not. It's worth the little extra in price.

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

yeah, I'm going to hold off on the 64 bit stuff for a while...

How will I differentiate CL2 memory? If I'm looking at one that has CAS of 2 6-3-3, is that CL2, and is that what I want?

Sami · January 2005

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
yeah, I'm going to hold off on the 64 bit stuff for a while...

How will I differentiate CL2 memory? If I'm looking at one that has CAS of 2 6-3-3, is that CL2, and is that what I want?

It's the first one. Should be something like 2-3-3-8. That looks like CL2/CAS2 but the six should be at the end.

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

Ok, so now I'm back to the questions, is there really any tabgable benefit to dual channel over not having dual channel?

If dual channel gives me a performance increase, then I'll get two 'matched' 256 sticks, cl2 of course. If it doesn't really make a difference, then I'll just save a little bit of cash and get one 512 stick, again CL2...

PolkThug · January 2005

Here is your required reading:

http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040119/index.html

faster100 · January 2005

yes dual channel will make a performance increase.. plain and simple.. how much? dunno.... get another 256 stick and run dual channel, thats what i have and i edit my dv camera and burn dvd's and its pretty fast... I have an N-force board by MSI and use the onboard N-force video and it works great... i have a 1600+ xp processor and i do want to upgrade that however

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

Originally posted by PolkThug
Here is your required reading:

http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040119/index.html

Haha...that's the same article I posted in my second post...

Thanks

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

Originally posted by faster100
yes dual channel will make a performance increase.. plain and simple.. how much? dunno.... get another 256 stick and run dual channel, thats what i have and i edit my dv camera and burn dvd's and its pretty fast... I have an N-force board by MSI and use the onboard N-force video and it works great... i have a 1600+ xp processor and i do want to upgrade that however

adding a second 256 isn't an option becuase the one I have now is 266 and I don't know the timings or anything on it. I tried adding a second 256 stick that I have and the system won't boot...they're both DDR266

Sami · January 2005

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
adding a second 256 isn't an option becuase the one I have now is 266 and I don't know the timings or anything on it. I tried adding a second 256 stick that I have and the system won't boot...they're both DDR266

I have 2 Kingston HyperX 512MB sticks. Actually 4 but I need the other 2. I'll bundle the two for $130, that's what a single would cost from Newegg. Tested with memtest86 several times and no errors on either one.

I just got a new video card too, I'll let go that 9800XT/Pro for $175. $300 even together with the memory.

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

are they PC2700, 3200, etc?

Sami · January 2005

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
are they PC2700, 3200, etc?

PC3200, CL2. 2-3-3-8 IIRC.

AsSiMiLaTeD · January 2005

OK, let me think on this. Are you going to be around tomorrow evening or Saturday morning?

Computer memory question

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