Is ECC DDR worth it? (got info, no need to reply anymore)

[computer]

Hi all, I'm about to get some memory for a P4B533 mobo and I'm torn about getting ECC. Is it worth spending the extra $ for (PC2700)? This is for a win98 desktop app, no gaming, no A/V editing, but extreme multitasking (& DSL). I've heard conflicting things on this; it's faster, and it's slower. $ difference is about ~$25.
Thanks.

 

[RanDum72]

Not worth it. Its only for mission-critical applications where data integrity is more important rather than speed. For your purposes, just go with regular DDR. ECC is also slower.

 

[AndyHui]

Please read the FAQ: What is ECC SDRAM? Should I buy this over normal SDRAM?

I completely agree with RanDum72's post.

 

[computer]

Ok thanks a bunch guys for the info & fast replies.

 

[computer]

Hmmm, looks like it's slower, but more stable. I'm at sea level so there might not be that much of a difference.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

No, most mainstream home use motherboard chipsets don't support ECC.
Real server motherboard chipsets mostly require both ECC and Registered.

 

[computer]

Yeah I knew not all supported it, but from what I've seen, most of the top P4 mobo's do. (board I mentioned above does, P4B533) I'll probably order it here, best price for PC2700 333mhz CAS 2 512mb w/HS, $127 shipped. link
Thanks.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Oh my god!!!

This is not ECC DDR!
This is OCSystem DDR!!!

 

[computer]

What are you talking about? I didn't opt for ECC because of what others said above. Is something wrong with that place? :Q

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Good choice not going ECC.
For home use and even office use system, you don't need ECC.
Only server processing important data needs it.

Any brand name, company name starts with "OC" is bad.

Very funny, see the about page:
To our competitors: Write your own product descriptions, pictures and stop copying ours! We do not reply technical support questions via Email without order number on the subject line.

Don't risk your money, buy from Newegg only.

 

[computer]

Why do you say "OC" is bad? I'm not familiar with anything bad about them....what have you heard? This was too high at newegg.

I had to add a 'similar' paragraph at my website due to AOL'ers' harassment. They all think I'm the public library! LOL!! "Awwww....shut, it's broken. Can you fix it and make it go fast"??? "I need a manual". "I can't program my VCR"....and on and on and on and on.........

 

[computer]

Wow I just went to resellerratings.com and checked them out. Some say they suck, some say they are OK. But what really gets me is the imbecile from OC that is rebutting the comments!! Man, this person isn't even CLOSE to getting the English language correct! If they are just *typo's* then they really need to do some proofreading. Be my luck to get that guy to handle any problems I have. I can bet you I know what the problem will be: "uuuuhhhhhhhhhh......duhhhhhhhhhhh, we don't have these....." I seem to get that EVERY TIME I order from ANYONE. FYI, a place to stay the hell away from is srsystems.com They are a bullsh!t palace.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

also see anandtech vendor rating:
http://www.anandtech.com/ratings/viewvendor.html?vid=223

 

[computer]

Ho man, that's pathetic. I feel like canceling now ASAP. I'm already stressed to the max with BS like this from every other vendor.

 

[RanDum72]

Hmmm, looks like it's slower, but more stable. I'm at sea level so there might not be that much of a difference.

As long as you have good ram and a good motherboard, you won't notice a difference in stability when comparing use with ECC/non-ECC memory. But as far as a difference in SPEED, you may notice it. For example, I have an older Asus board based on the Intel 820 chipset. I use PC800 RDRAM with ECC on it. With ECC turned off in the BIOS, I get between 800-980 on the Sisoft Sandra memory tests. Turning ECC on, scores dropped to between 500-650mbs. You may say its only a synthetic benchmark but its also noticeable when running ordinary apps (it just feels sluggish). I don't know how DDR ECC performs, it all depends on the chipset, CPU, and overall configuration. But there is usually a performance hit (in my case a rather big one) when using ECC.

 

[computer]

Interesting, thanks for the info.

 

[Amused]

Yeah, finding good venders online can be a pain. From experience, I have a few I use 99% of the time and have found I can trust:

(in order of usefulness and value to me)

newegg.com (All around good store. Great prices and acceptable service)
googlegear.com (lately the best for mobo, memory and CPU prices, shipped, acceptable service)
mwave.com (great store with great service, acceptable prices)
techonweb.com (good service, and great prices on cases, monitors, printers and other odds and ends)
compuplus.com (often if I can't find something somewhere else, these guys will have it at a fair price, good service)
Provantage.com (fair prices and good service. Great selection)

And as always, check resellerratings.com before shopping anywhere.

 

[Zepper]

I always buy ECC (and make sure my mobos support it) because, as another member mentioned, when you need the speed, you can disable ECC checking in the BIOS settings--when you want the accuracy (running spreadsheet, database, checkbook or acctg sw or tax prep sw etc., you can turn it back on. It's worth it to me.
.bh.

 

[computer]

That's a good point, thanks.

 

[Zepper]

I just thought of another good reason to run ECC memory - software RAID-0! Think on it!
.bh.