Dumb Memory Question + Lots of dumb little questions

[JackHawksmoor]

I'm an idiot, so I'm building a new system probably days before PCI-X, BTX, 925 motherboards, Radeon 10000s etc. come out. (I'm going to start using my current system at work, because my work system is a piece of crap.)

I'm tempted to go for 1GB, just 'cause. All my current systems are 512MB, but does 1GB help in any current games, or will it in the next year or two?

Should I go for some more expensive stuff that runs at like CAS 2.5 like Corsair XMS or Mushkin stuff instead of the CAS 3 Crucial RAM I normally use?

Should I go with an Intel 875 motherboard over an 865, considering the $37 price difference?

What's the difference between RAM that says it's 2.5 volts versus 2.6 volts?

Anyone know how to hook up USB on the front of an Antec case to an Intel board? (Or Firewire to an Audigy 2)?

Sorry if these are obvious and/or repeat questions. I tried a search of the forums and couldn't find answers to them.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: JackHawksmoor
I'm an idiot, so I'm building a new system probably days before PCI-X, BTX, 925 motherboards, Radeon 10000s etc. come out. (I'm going to start using my current system at work, because my work system is a piece of crap.)

I'm tempted to go for 1GB, just 'cause. All my current systems are 512MB, but does 1GB help in any current games, or will it in the next year or two?

Up to a point, there's no such thing as "too much memory" these days. 1GB is good to go and certainly helps in big games like BF1942 and the like w/big maps.

Should I go for some more expensive stuff that runs at like CAS 2.5 like Corsair XMS or Mushkin stuff instead of the CAS 3 Crucial RAM I normally use?

Buy the best ram you can afford. Crucial is always a safe bet though. PC3200 is a good purchase these days. It's rated up to 200MHz and you'll be able to use it in future systems too. DDRII (new memory standard just finalized) won't be mainstream for quite some time IMHO.

Should I go with an Intel 875 motherboard over an 865, considering the $37 price difference?

Yes. I know the 875 chipset is better, but not real smart on the particulars...defer to Intel person on this one.

What's the difference between RAM that says it's 2.5 volts versus 2.6 volts?
These days all 182-pin DDR modules have a standard operating voltage of 2.50v. However, "overclocker" RAM like Corsair/Mushkin/etc have their embedded controller programmed at 2.60v. A little higher voltage to help with the higher speeds/lower latencies. A newer mobo w/an up to date bios won't have any problem with this.

Anyone know how to hook up USB on the front of an Antec case to an Intel board? (Or Firewire to an Audigy 2)?
Compare the pinouts on the motherboard (look in the manual) to the individually marked pins coming from the front of the case. All mobos are different. Go by the manual.

Sorry if these are obvious and/or repeat questions. I tried a search of the forums and couldn't find answers to them.

Hope this helps.

 

[DaveSimmons]

'm tempted to go for 1GB, just 'cause. All my current systems are 512MB, but does 1GB help in any current games, or will it in the next year or two?

search "512" for a bunch of threads on this, both recent and archived.

Should I go for some more expensive stuff that runs at like CAS 2.5 like Corsair XMS or Mushkin stuff instead of the CAS 3 Crucial RAM I normally use?

Should I go with an Intel 875 motherboard over an 865, considering the $37 price difference?

For gaming an AMD 3200+ will be faster than a P4 3.2 GHz, see the AnandTech comparison articles.

But if you want P4, the answer is: either is a valid choice. If you don't care about the extra money, get i875. If you don't care about a tiny bit more speed, get ultra-reliable Crucial instead of CAS 2.5

I happened to not care about the extra cost and slightly lower performance, so for my December upgrade I got:
- P4 3.2C retail
- Asus P4C800-E Deluxe
- 2 x 512 MB Crucial

But for someone on a budget the A64 3000+ is cheaper and just as fast as a P4 3.2C in games, while the 3200+ is a step above the P4 for close to the same price.