Is it pointless to have ram faster then PC2100?

[KhoiFather]

I'm wondering is it pointless to have DDR any faster then PC-2100 if you're not overclocking? I know that running the AXP sync with the DDR gives better performance and running it async will decrease performance. Would there be any different or would my system performance decrease if the CPU was running FSB 266MHz and the ram was running at 333MHz?

 

[Ionizer86]

It's best to have it synched. But if you're buying ram, why not pay just a tad more to get some 3200 or something? You'll be more futureproof, and you'll be able to do overclocking if you wish (or alternatively, you can run the ram at 2100 with nice timings).

 

[DaveSimmons]

Or just get the 2100 dirt-cheap in a Hot Deal or from someone selling in FS/FT after an upgrade. Set the extra money aside for your next upgrade, or pay down some CC debt if you have any.

Spending extra for faster memory because you might be able to use it in a future system is always a gamble. You might buy DDR333 now only to find your next system needs DDR500, or DDR-II or RAMBUS-XXL 🙂

 

[spclwpns]

I've NEVER seen 2100 'really' keep up with anything else rated above it. Don't waste your money on 'old' speed ram unless your board has to have it or your too cheap to buy anything better 😉

 

[EeyoreX]

Spending extra for faster memory because you might be able to use it in a future system is always a gamble. You might buy DDR333 now only to find your next system needs DDR500, or DDR-II or RAMBUS-XXL

I agree completely. I recently bought a motherboard that supports DDR400 FSB and a Barton 2800+. A bunch of people kept telling me to buy the faster RAM (I already had DDR333 RAM that I bought a while back, knowing it would be there for my nForce2 upgrade) in case I want to get a faster CPU. I told them it made no sense what so ever. I have a CPU that runs at 333, I have RAM that runs at 333 and I have a motherboard that runs at 400. I know I am not going to buy a 400 FSB Athlon XP, so I don't need 400 RAM, it would be a total waste of money to replace the perfectly good RAM I already had. Unless you know you are going to upgrade, or perhaps overclock, this serves no purpose except to spend more money. Once DDRII, or whatever, rolls around, all that PC3200 people bought to be "future-proof" will be a lot of wasted money.

\Dan

 

[jeffrey]

It is not pointless to have ram faster than PC2100. Especially if you system bus natively runs above 133mhz (ie 875, 865, Nforce2, etc.) In your case, you might be able to find a good deal on some low latency PC3200 or low latency PC2700 that would outperform the PC2100 that your system requires for synchronous operation.