DDR: 2x512Mb Common or 2x256Mb Dual-Channel Tested?

[CamisaAmarela]

Help me to figure out what to do:

I have a Soyo Dragon+/XP2000+/Samsung PC2700DDR set. I decided upgrade
the Mobo to an Abit NF7-S ($120 at Fry's). As I have only $300, I'm
thinking about to get some memory and let the processor for 2004 -
I believe the prices will drop as 64bits get more popular.
What do you think ?

For memory I'm considering one of those:

• Kingston 512MB PC4000 500MHz
  2-32x64 HyperX DDR Memory 184Pin - $169.99

• Kingston 512MB PC3200 400MHz
  2-32x64 HyperX DDR Memory 184Pin - $149.99

• Corsair 512MB PC3200 400MHz 2-32x64 XMS
  TwinX Dual-Channel DDR Memory 184Pin
  Model #TWINX512-3200C2P2 - $149.99

• Corsair 512MB PC3200 400MHz 2-32x64 XMS
  TwinX Dual-Channel DDR Memory 184Pin
  Model #TWINX512-3200LLPT - $159.99

• Corsair 1GB PC3200 2x64x64 DDR 184Pin
  Model #VS1GKIT400 - $179.99

All of them fit on my budget. And all of them come with
2 sticks. My current box is a little OC'ed(@1812Mhz 145 FSB)
but I'm not properly an overclocker.

Does it worth a PC3500 in my case ?
I know that the sticks in the 1Gb solution were not tested
togheter, bla, bla, bla... but will the dual channel work
with them ?

Although I'm inclined for the 1Gb solution, I want yours
expertise opnions to help me to decide.

Thanks in Advance!

 

[jiffylube1024]

Dual Channel tested is worthless. They will work fine together if they're even "similar" chips.

Right now I'm mixing 512MB of Corsair XMS PC3200 with their usual heat spreaders (it uses overclocked BH-6 chips) and 512MB of TwinMOS BH5 with no heat spreaders. So far, knock on wood, my PC hasn't exploded .

 

[Duvie]

You need to list what are the cas ratings on those chips....Anything worse then cas 2.5 is worthless and you would likely be better to be running cas 2 with a 5:4 ratio then trying to force 1:1 ratio and pc4000 stuff...

 

[CamisaAmarela]

Guys,

I checked on Corsair's site and found out that the VS1GKIT400 is a
"Value Select Memory Module"and at the Corsair's support page they say that "it's either Cass 2.5 or Cass 3
we do not promise the SPD setting with Value select."

Can anyone tell me what performance percentage I will loose in comparision
to a TWINX512-3200C2P2 if I chose the 1Gb option and the max CAS
running stable is 2.5 ? And how about 3 ?

I'm ignorant about RAM/CPU, so I need to ask: with the 1Gb "Value Select" will it be
possible run at least 200 FSB ? And 215? (not my XP2000; the "next" CPU)

Thanks again!

 

[joe2004]

Corsair does not have customer support nor the warranties (apparently depends on CS) up to the level of Mushkin. So if you really want to spend money go for Mushkin, if something goes wrong it is much easier to deal with them than with Ram Guy and his disorganized cohorts.
Kingston has the same quality and it is cheaper. Frankly I have no idea why people purchase from Corsair at all. I guess those web reviews must be the reason so everybody hopes they'll get the same type of ram as in those reviews. Yeah, right.

 

[FPSguy]

Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
Dual Channel tested is worthless. They will work fine together if they're even "similar" chips. Right now I'm mixing 512MB of Corsair XMS PC3200 with their usual heat spreaders (it uses overclocked BH-6 chips) and 512MB of TwinMOS BH5 with no heat spreaders. So far, knock on wood, my PC hasn't exploded .

I agree. I have Kingston HyperX PC3500 and I RMA'ed it to Kingston due to the BH-5/865/memory ratio issue. They sent me some dual channel tested RAM instead. It wouldn't run as fast as my two separately-purchased sticks. :|