Abit KT7-raid/Duron 700Mhz and what memory?

[acmumph]

Wanted to know what would be the best ram to use for Abit KT7-Raid/Duron 700Mhz. Currently using the cheap Zeus ram (128Mb PC133) I got from AccessMicro and system keeps crashing. I put my old PC100 64Mb in and everything works fine.
I'm not overclocked yet but that is definitely my intent. I now understand why people say, "You get what you pay for".

 

[jonnyGURU]

Probably becuase the PC133 is CAS3 and the PC100 is CAS2.

Very typical problem.

You should stick with CAS2.

I always use PC100.

Why?

Athlon's currently use only a 100 MHz bus anyway and CAS2 PC100 is easy to come by.

 

[darthur]

I'm using the Mushkin (www.mushkin.com) rev1.5 in my KT7-raid and haven't had any problems with it running at cas2 pc133.

 

[Technonut]

I always use PC100. Why? Athlon's currently use only a 100 MHz bus anyway and CAS2 PC100 is easy to come by.

If you are happy having a system running the RAM below it's potential, sure, use PC100. I do not know of many types of PC100 that will work at 145-150MHz CAS2 Turbo though. BTW, the nifty feature of these boards is the ability to run your RAM at 133MHz +. (Host CLK + PCI CLK) The Mosel Vitelic PC133 that I have in my KT7 is running very well at 144MHz CAS2 Turbo, and has excellent memory bandwidth. My Sandra Memory Benchmark comes in at 511/612. I have also run it at 149MHz CAS2 Turbo before with no problem in the KT7.

I suggest you purchase the Mosel Vitelic PC133 (also known as Mushkin High Performance Rev. 2) John is selling it in the for sale forum with a lifetime warranty for $99.95 shipped for a 128MB stick.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I should watch what I say since it is common knowledge that this bunch will pick apart everything you say....

I STATED THAT YOU WOULD BE BETTER OFF USING PC100 CAS2 BECAUSE IT IS NOT ONLY EASY TO COME BY, BUT IT IS FAR MORE SUITABLE THAN THE MORE COMMONLY AVAILABLE PC133 CAS3.

By all means, if you can find affordable PC133 CAS2 RAM BUY IT!

It DOES cost more, but you'll be a happy camper.

He said he is having problems with the PC133 he has. Would it not be easy to come to the conclusion that it is because it is CAS3?

As for the statement:

"If you are happy having a system running the RAM below it's potential, sure, use PC100."

I know FOR A FACT that CAS3 PC133 is not going to give you SQUAT of an improvement over CAS2 PC100. Again, though, if you can afford to go with CAS2 PC133, like Mushkin's or Crucial's BUY IT! YOU are using CAS2 PC133, Technonut, THAT'S why you see such a big difference in your memory bandwidth. The CAS3 crap that acmumph is probably using is not even going to touch that!

The original question was "Abit KT7. What memory?" The answer is CAS2. PC100 or PC133 what have you, but the answer remains CAS2.

The original problem was that the machine is unstable with a current PC133 stick of RAM. The reason is probably because it's CAS3.

'Nuff said.

 

[Technonut]

My point is that running PC100 in a board that is capable of running good quality RAM at speeds of up to 150MHz CAS2, is like running a 2 barrel carb on a hot rod. acmumph did ask which RAM would work well, and he intends to overclock.

You made it sound like since the Athlon runs at a 100MHz bus, only PC100 is necessary. I was just pointing out that quality RAM can run much higher than that on these boards. (at least 133MHz, and as high as 150MHz CAS2 depending upon the RAM.

EDIT: back to the original question, you could try raising your I/O voltage to 3.40, or 3.50 with the Zeus to see if it helps. Also, set your timing back to medium or lower, and CAS3. With the increased I/O voltage and reduced timing, you may be able to run it at 133MHz CAS2.