512 2100 ddr or 256 2700 ddr

[edc03]

i'm in the process of building my a new computer and i was wondering how much/kind/brand of ram to get. so far, i have these parts:

1.6a northwood (going to oc to 2.1)
asus p4b266
barracuda iv 80gb
tdk 32x
geforce 3 ti200
avc sunflower
antec 300w p/s and case

the only other major thing i need is ram. but, what should i get?
a 256 strip of 2700 ddr = $133
or
a 512 strip of 2100 ddr = $168?
please give a reason why and any other suggestions. i'm thinking about getting ram from either cosair or crucial, unless someone can convince me to get some other brand. thanks in advance.

 

[Mavrick007]

I would rather have the 512Megs or Pc2100 cause you can overclock it a bit(and sometimes to speeds of pc2700), and you get twice as much for about the same cost. Just my 2cents 🙂

 

[j@cko]

It all comes down to your need for RAM. If many of the applications that you run are memory intense, then go with more ram. if not go with the PC2700.
But personally, i would go with the 512MB rather than the PC2700.

 

[Loricariidae]

Just a quick reminder - if you're going to run a pathetic OS like Win 9x that can't use more than 256 MB RAM, you might as well go with the 256 MB rather than the 512. IMHO, the 512 is a better option, especially if the PC2100 is a quality module like Crucial.

 

[Rand]

<< It all comes down to your need for RAM. If many of the applications that you run are memory intense, then go with more ram. if not go with the PC2700.
>>



Exactly. If you will utilize more then 256MB then obviously the PC2100 is a better bet, if you won't utilize more then 256MB then the faster RAM would be better for you.

 

[tigerbait]

<< a 256 strip of 2700 ddr = $133 >>



256 MB of Kingmax TinyBGA PC2700 is only $87

I just ordered some Sunday (it was $93 :|)

 

[DTBH]

depending on what OS u are using. WinXp and win2k with there better memory management can benefit greatly with 512 meg of ram compared to 256meg. U can actually feel the diffference... I know I felt it when I upgraded... but if u are using win98 or me 512 is too much yer system cannot fully benefit from it

 

[vash]

When it comes to memory, the general consensus is: more is better. I remember a NetWare class where a number of answers were: add more memory. LOL.

With the minor speed differences aside, more memory will be more useful.

vash

 

[edc03]

i'll be running win xp, so i guess the 512 would be better for that. but at the same time, i'm not going to be doing intensely ramming eating programs.

but i was wondering what's better in terms of strictly oc'ing?
would it be better to get 512 2100 ddr or 256 2700 ddr? thanks...

 

[j@cko]

<< but i was wondering what's better in terms of strictly oc'ing?
would it be better to get 512 2100 ddr or 256 2700 ddr? thanks... >>



OMG... do you have difficulty reading the above replies? It is pretty obvious what the answer is... DUH...

 

[Metalloid]

<< OMG... do you have difficulty reading the above replies? It is pretty obvious what the answer is... DUH... >>



Jeez j@cko give him a break.

edc03, welcome to the anandtech forums. You will meet lots of strongly opinionated jerks, so you might want to get used to it.

I personally think that if you should go for PC2700 RAM. I mean, why pay $95 for crucial 256mb PC2100 RAM, when you could get Kingmax PC2700 for cheaper, especially if you will FSB overclock. Odds are, you wont get your CPU to be stable at 166mhz FSB, which is under the PC2700 speed, so you can then run the PC2700 RAM at your highest FSB speed with aggresive RAM timings. Because PC2700 is almost as cheap (or cheaper), then go for it. And if you really think that you need 512mb of RAM, then 2x256mb of PC2700 is only like $10-15 more than 512mb of PC2100. Better safe than sorry when FSB oc'ing, it just makes sense. Good luck

 

[edc03]

thanks you guys. i already ordered and just went for the expensive stuff... went with 512 cosair 2400 ddr. thanks though.

 

[cremator]

you can safely over clock the 1.6 northwood to 2.5 without it over heating...go for it