GA-8IHXP2 or GA-8PE667 ??

[JTH182]

First I want to say that I have been lurking for a while since I plan on building my first system soon. This is the best computer forum on the web and you all have given me much more knowledge. It's coming down to decision time so I decided to sign up and ask your opinions...

I've narrowed it down to the Gigabyte GA-8IHXP2 with Kingston 1066 Rambus RAM, and the Gigabyte GA-8PE667 with Corsair XMS PC-3200C2...

I figure I can save at least $150 on the second combo which is very attractive, but I don't want to sacrifice speed and stability to save the bucks (although that money would be quite nice in my pocket). So, my question is how much more powerful would the Rambus be (would it even be noticeable for video/photo editing, games, mp3s and Internet?), and even though I know the 8PE667 is brand new, does it look like it should be stable with that type of RAM? I'm leaning towards the DDR solution since it seems to have the better bang for the buck, and I know Rambus is going bye bye. The only thing that scares me is performance and stability.

 

[JTH182]

^ for the morning crowd

 

[Rick67]

I'm picking up the ASUS P4PE next week.

 

[IntelConvert]

Originally posted by: JTH182
^ for the morning crowd

Good morning... One of our rigs consists of a GA-8IHXP with 4 x 256MB Kingston PC1066 and it's simply fantastic for photo-editing and it's been a rock-solid system.

No one really can say anything about the performance/stability of the i845PE/GE boards unitl next week, so why not wait another few more days? As you have indicated, the down-side of the i850E/Rambus platform is that it is shortlived; the major trend (even by Intel) favoring DDR. IMHO, Intel's 7205 'Granite Bay' (dual-channel DDR) chipset, scheduled for later this year, will be Rambus' executioner!

So even though the i850E is a top performing and stable plafform, it's in the twilight of it's lifetime!

 

[JTH182]

Okay, so how much of a hit will I be taking in performance using PC3200 instead of the 1066 Rambus? Will it be fairly negligable? I only have a 1GHz Athlon using PC100 right now, so I'm thinking I won't be able to tell that much of a difference as both will seem extremely fast (I'm going with a 2.4 P4). Will the hit in performance be worth it to save that $150 that I can use somewhere else?

Final question (for this post ): Should the new board be able to run at PC3200 speed? I know it officially supports 2700, or is the 3200 just overkill? OR is it always good to have the ability to go up and not pigeonhole myself with 2700?


Geez, up until a couple weeks ago I thought I was all set to go with Rambus, but the prospect of saving some money really got me thinking... I don't understand DDR as much (with all the overclocking and timings and such) so thanks for your help.

 

[JTH182]

Any more thoughts?

 

[sep]

Eitherway your'll be fine. I had the same thoughts about a monthago. Now I'm sitting in my P4 2.26@2.465Mhz 8IHXP 512MB PC1066 ti4200 (<- go it today) with no quibles about the purchase. Yes, intel will make the RDRAM short lived in thier products, but guess what? If you get the 8PE677 it will be short lived too! Your going to need a new motherboard and memory once that newer chipset comes out.

My thoughts...If you want the fastest your computer can be today, then get the RDRAM based system. Keep in mind that if RDRAM is phased out of the whole motherboard solution including VIA and SIS then it will not sell for much. If you want to save some money and get more ram, faster video card, etc. get the DDR setup. I don't think your going to see the performance gap with the naked gaming eye.

FYI..
1 stick Kingston 256MB RDRAM was $156 about a month ago, now it's $110 shipped! I paid $67x4 for mine. Get 512MB no matter what ram type you get.

 

[IntelConvert]

Originally posted by: sep
FYI..
1 stick Kingston 256MB RDRAM was $156 about a month ago, now it's $110 shipped! I paid $67x4 for mine...

Uh, I don't think so (not for PC1066)!!! The price you paid a month ago is still as good as it gets for 256MB sticks of Kingston PC1066. If you really know where it can be had for $110 (shipped no less), please let me know...

 

[nicebutt]

Hi JTH182 I just got my 8IHXP up and running for the second time. I to want to do video editing along with CAD programs. I went the full 100 yards 80gigATA WD special 8meg buffer, T4400 128ddr video, 2.4P4, 512 Kingston rambus. To tell you the truth compared to a 800 celeron I had that I replaced with this setup and A MSI mb with an Athlon I built eariler in the spring for half the price, at this moment I don't think the 8IHXP is worth the price difference. The benchmarks may say so but In everyday use with WIN2k, Office applications, video, even my CAD programs does not justify the price. Its still early yet for me to give full judgement but I can tell you so far with what I'm doing now its faster but I also paid close to $900 for this as compared to $500 in the summer for the athlon. I like having the AMD and Pentium setups to compare and they are very close. To give my final thought Rambus is not worth the money got with DDR. Intel MB vs AMD, AMD wins hands down in the value catagory. I like them both competion is great for consumers.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I'd go with the DDR. There is a bit more headroom for overclocking and you can then get a bit out of your CPU at the same time. It may run at DDR400 and I see nothing to say that it won't.