1 Gig PC2100 vs. 512mb PC3200

[devilfish]

I am building a new computer for my parents - they basically need something that surfs the web efficiently and it will rarely play games.

Chosen Hardware:
ASUS A7n8x-e deluxe
AMD Athlon XP 2600+

I already have 2x512mb sticks of PC2100 -- I would prefer saving money by using that RAM -- My only other option would be to get them a stick of 512mb PC3200

*My question to you, is if there would be a noticeable difference between the 1gig PC2100 vs. the 512mb PC3200 and if it would be worth the extra money?*

Keep in mind that this is a budget PC for my parents... Please let me know your thoughts!!

Thank you in advance!

-devilfish

 

[Chinoman]

This thread

Is the PC-3200 RAM for your parents? If it is, get Corsair VSR

 

[devilfish]

Yeah, it's for my parents

i can't decipher that thread... it's a lil over my head... all this RAM stuff confuses me

does it say there's not THAT much difference???

 

[Chinoman]

Nope, there isnt any noticable difference, unless you're overclocking...

 

[devilfish]

OC'ing would be outta the question... if this is all true... u saved me lotsa cash

I would still like to hear if anyone else has any suggestions???

 

[VirtualLarry]

Wow, you're giving them a Gig of RAM, just for web-surfing? I think that one 512MB stick would be enough for basic tasks, but hey, the more RAM the merrier, right? I would think that 1GB of PC2100 would still be much better than 512MB of PC3200, for the vast majority of tasks, especially desktop ones.

 

[Gurck]

512mb pc2100 would be plenty. The vast majority of non-gamers don't need a very beefy system at all.

 

[devilfish]

the only games the system would need to handle is Day of Defeat and Maddens... (for when I'm home.. hehe)

 

[V00D00]

I think you should just stick with the memory you have. PC2100 to PC3200 won't speed up web browsing/email too much, if you're on a budget and the PC isn't going to be very demanding on the system resources you should see pretty much no difference.

 

[devilfish]

I forgot to mention!

My parents will be converting VHS to DVD with this machine via Leadtek Tv Tuner... I'm not sure if this affects anyone's comment... :S

-devilfish

 

[V00D00]

Nope, my comment stays, encoding is 90%+ cpu speed.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

That thread is for Athlon 64s, since the CPU in question is an XP, and the fact that the parents shouldn't need 1GB of ram, I'd go with the faster 512. Although if the Athlon XP isn't going to be run at a 200MHz FSB along with the PC3200, then I don't think the difference will be that good.

Get which ever is cheaper, heck maybe even only 512 of PC2100. My parents were simply blown away by the performance of a Palomino Athlon XP 1700+ (1.47GHz) with 512MB of PC2700 running at PC2100 speed. To quote my father "when I boot up the computer, I no longer have time to go boil a cup of coffee and go get the newspaper before I can check my email"

The 512 PC3200 is probably the best choice here.

 

[Reiniku]

seeing as you already have the pc2100 and you are on a axp, stick with the 2x 512 pc2100

 

[devilfish]

That thread is for Athlon 64s, since the CPU in question is an XP, and the fact that the parents shouldn't need 1GB of ram, I'd go with the faster 512. Although if the Athlon XP isn't going to be run at a 200MHz FSB along with the PC3200, then I don't think the difference will be that good.

I'm confused with the 200Mhz, FSB stuff... will this PC2100 slow down the CPU?? i dont get it...

 

[devilfish]

Am I getting this right?

XP2600 = 333mhz FSB
PC2100 = 266
--> NOT COMPATIBLE? Therefore I can't USE my PC2100?????

XP3200 = 400mhz FSB
PC3200 = 400mhz
--> COMPATIBLE

So in essence, I need PC2700 (333mhz) for it to be compatible with the XP2600??? Is that the 1:1 ratio i've been seing?!

EXPERT NEEDED TO CONFIRM MY RESULTS!!!! hehe

 

[spaceman]

Originally posted by: devilfish
Am I getting this right?

XP2600 = 333mhz FSB
PC2100 = 266
--> NOT COMPATIBLE? Therefore I can't USE my PC2100?????

XP3200 = 400mhz FSB
PC3200 = 400mhz
--> COMPATIBLE

So in essence, I need PC2700 (333mhz) for it to be compatible with the XP2600??? Is that the 1:1 ratio i've been seing?!

EXPERT NEEDED TO CONFIRM MY RESULTS!!!! hehe

u can run the ram @ 133
and the cpu @166/200/etc..

 

[dug777]

go the gig

 

[Alex]

dude... get the gigabyte... you will notice it a lot more than the pc3200

 

[devilfish]

Originally posted by: ncircle

u can run the ram @ 133
and the cpu @166/200/etc..

wait, what does this mean??? would this slow down the cpu???

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: devilfish

Originally posted by: ncircle

u can run the ram @ 133
and the cpu @166/200/etc..

wait, what does this mean??? would this slow down the cpu???

No, a CPU's speed is FSB * Multiplier. In most cases the ram has the same FSB as the CPU but with alot of boards you can have the ram run at a different FSB. In your case the CPU would run at a base 166 FSB while the ram would run at a base 133 (266 effective as it is Double Data Rate ram thus the PC-2100 title).

If you had a gig of PC-2700 (166/333 ram) or a gig of PC-3200 (200/400 ram) then you would get some performance improvement, but not with just 512 compared to 1 gig of slower ram. Save the money and stick with the 2100, that is the best bet for your parents.

-spike