Epox 8RDA+ memory

[farmercal]

All sources indicate that this motherboard uses PC3200 DDR RAM. Does that mean it can use up to PC3200 or ONLY PC3200. I cannot get a clear answer on this evan at the Epox web site. If anyone knows please advise before I purchase the wrong memory, thanks.

 

[syberscott]

You can use any DDR memory. Your choices go from pc2100 all the way to pc3700. What ram were you planning on buying?

 

[wyckedcool]

I just order'd this board tonight. It uses up to PC3200.

3 DDR SDRAM slots (3Gb max), supports PC1600/2100/2700/3200

Bought mine at tcwo.com You can go here
for more specs.

 

[farmercal]

I was thinking either Samsung or Corsair CMX PC2700 b/c I don't think I would see that much difference between the two and the cost difference if about $50.

 

[mechBgon]

Good-quality PC2700 looks like the peak bang-for-the-buck at the moment. Crucial PC2700 is attractively priced right now (2 x 512Mb for $153 shipped at Googlegear) and with the money you save versus PC3200, you could probably buy something else that boosts your system performance/value better (a notch higher on the video card, or a bigger hard drive if you need it, or a faster CPU, or a CDRW drive...). If you want mad overclocking then it might hold you back, though.

 

[PolaroidPaul]

:|:|:|

I was going to buy PC3200 memory and do some overclocking but I am now more confused than ever. One post says stay away from Corsair XMS 3200 on the 8rda because the system may not boot. Another says to use Twinmos memory (try to find it!!!) but then you read that the Twinmos memory is CAS 2.5 instead of CAS 2.

Forget the darned OC, now I just want to put a new 2100+ in and leave it alone! I'll throw in a GF video card and be done with it. The Antec case, Maxtor HD and the CDRW have been sitting on the shelf for over a month now and want some company.

So, what Ram do I buy?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: PolaroidPaul
:|:|:|

I was going to buy PC3200 memory and do some overclocking but I am now more confused than ever. One post says stay away from Corsair XMS 3200 on the 8rda because the system may not boot. Another says to use Twinmos memory (try to find it!!!) but then you read that the Twinmos memory is CAS 2.5 instead of CAS 2.

Forget the darned OC, now I just want to put a new 2100+ in and leave it alone! I'll throw in a GF video card and be done with it. The Antec case, Maxtor HD and the CDRW have been sitting on the shelf for over a month now and want some company.

So, what Ram do I buy?

How about two sticks of Crucial PC2700? Then you're using the dualDDR feature (not a noticable performance boost, usually, but hey) and you've got PC2700 so you're ready for an upgrade to a 333MHz-based CPU later, if you feel like it. Running the PC2700 at PC2100 speeds with your 2100+ will allow you to use extra-tight timings for a slight additional performance boost, and I'd expect you can also OC your 2100+ quite a ways with the Crucial PC2700. If it's a Thoroughbred, you can lower its multiplier and bump it to 166MHz (DDR333) right off the bat, so it and the RAM are sync'ed at 166MHz.

Googlegear has good prices on Crucial PC2700: 2 x 256Mb will set you back $80, 2 x 512Mb will set you back $153. Works for me...

 

[AMDfreak]

I'm using 2x512MB TwinMOS PC3200 memory in my 8RDA+. It is listed as being cas2.5, but mine is currently running timings of 5-2-2-cas2 with no problem at 188MHz. (I'm FSB limited by my mobo till I do the vdd mod.) Using Memtest86, I have tested the memory at 5-2-2-2 at 200MHz asynch. TwinMOS can be found at MemoryX..

 

[farmercal]

mechBgon let's say I get PC2700 x 2 (512 MB) and a XP 2400 (which has a 266 MHz bus) are telling me that the CPU will not run as fast as the memory? Or are you saying that the memory will slow down to the speed of the CPU? A CPU with 333 MHz bus is too expensive for my taste. If the XP2400 is only 266 MHz bus then perhaps the XP2100 ver B is a better purchase?

 

[mboy]

I have 2 x256mb twinmos/winbond from memory X. Running 201X11.5 FSB, memory in synch, 5-2-2-2 vdim 2.9 SUPER STABLE under Prime 95. I guess I am lucky I didnt need the vmod to go over 200fsb (vcore is at 1.775).

I would get either the twinmos/winbond mem or the Kingston hyper X. Supposedly the pc3500 cs2 is fairly cheap now.
I am REAL happy with the Twinmos. I don't care about the Cas2.5 rating (btw it's all Cas2.5, some manufactures just test their sticks out and if stable @ 2, then thats what they label it is. Their are only a few ram chip makers that actually supply the chips anyway).
Mine is running fine @ cas 2

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: farmercal
mechBgon let's say I get PC2700 x 2 (512 MB) and a XP 2400 (which has a 266 MHz bus) are telling me that the CPU will not run as fast as the memory? Or are you saying that the memory will slow down to the speed of the CPU? A CPU with 333 MHz bus is too expensive for my taste. If the XP2400 is only 266 MHz bus then perhaps the XP2100 ver B is a better purchase?

With nForce2 you always want the CPU's FSB and the memory to be running the same speed, so you would set the memory frequency to "100%" of CPU bus speed in the BIOS and the PC2700 would then run at PC2100 speeds. Or better, you could set your CPU to run at the 166MHz bus that the memory is built for, and just lower the CPU's multiplier so it's still running at its native 2000MHz. Check out the benchmarks at this review: Hexus They run a 2400+ at its native 2.0GHz at both the 133/133 FSB/memory, and also the 166/166 combo. There is a 5%-7% improvement in system-level performance at the 166/166 setting. This is as simple as changing the multiplier and bus speed in the BIOS... see why nForce2 is so popular with the overclockers?

 

[farmercal]

Thanks for the info!

 

[bupkus]

mechBgon,

I'm upgrading my pc and ordered the Epox w/ nforce2. I have (1) stick of the 512MB Corsair XMS CMX512-2700C2. This is not as good or expensive as the Low Latency of the CMX512-2700LL by Corsair.

I also just ordered the 2100+ XP "B" which I'm hoping to OC without messing with the bridges by setting the fsb to 166 in the bios as I did with my 1600+ AGOIA. Can I do that with the 2100+?

If so, I know all I need is the 2700 and either use just the one stick of Corsair I have or get another, or sell it and get something else.

I believe in the best bang for the buck, not spending to extract the last micron of performance.

Thanks.