Just ordered a 8RDA+ , advise please

[rb56]

I just order a 8RDA+ from newegg. I've asked this before but I'd like some more advise. The main use for this puter is video encoding amd photoshop...

1. Would the crucial PC2700 be worth the extra few dollars over the cost of the PC2100 and would it help much to go with 2x512 over 2x256?

2. I see the XP2100 Thorougbred for $95 on Newegg, would it be a worthwhile upgrade (from XP1600 which I can use in my second box) or do I keep the 1600 for now and wait for the next generation of processors to come out and upgrage my aging ATI AIW 32mb video card?

What do you think?
rb56

 

[SaltBoy]

Some additional questions from me. I just ordered an 8RDA, too.

The specs on Epox's website say the 8RDA supports PC3200. What good will PC3200 do me? I thought DDR400 (or PC3200, too many #^%! synonyms) was useless for right now. I'm thinking of going PC2700, but can you convince me otherwise that PC3200 would be faster/better value/etc...

 

[k1114]

rb56:

1. Definately get the 2700 instead of 2100, and no 2x512 wont really show much if any performance boost over 2x256.
2. You need a new video card.

SaltBoy:

pc3200 is ram that can run at 200fsb. The 8RDA+ has been known to do 235fsb with a little work. Nowadays pc3200 is the lowest you want to buy when going for good quality ram.

Both of you guys:
Read my 8RDA/8RDA+ faq (yes im still writing it but theres a ton of good info there)

 

[rb56]

Thanks for the reply, when my board gets in I'll send some pictures if you let me know what you want.
Anybody else have an opinion?

rb56

 

[mechBgon]

It sounds like there are two IDE drivers you can chose from when using WindowsXP. When you install the nVidia Unified Driver Pack (download from nVidia), if it asks you whether you want to install the "Performance" or "SW" IDE driver, say No, so it installs the WHQL-certified IDE driver instead. This will make your board's native IDE controllers look like standard IDE controllers to Windows. The "Performance/SW" option makes them look like SCSI and then Windows performs badly.

Or use Windows 2000. I just set up my 8RDA+ with Win2000 and didn't have to dodge this issue (for one thing, Win2000 works well with SCSI).

I would definitely buy some fast RAM, at LEAST quality-brand PC2700, since the next-gen processor you're considering is going to need it. My pick would be some Corsair XMS3200LL, the TwinX packs, except it's a moot point when you don't have the money The benefit of the nice RAM isn't simply that it can go fast, but that it can have its latency reduced by using tight timings as well. And if you want to overclock, you're ready.

 

[pltguy]

Twinmos pc-3200 with Winbond chips 256MB for 76.00 at http://store.yahoo.com/memx/gn256pc3200.html

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: pltguy
Twinmos pc-3200 with Winbond chips 256MB for 76.00 at http://store.yahoo.com/memx/gn256pc3200.html

Here's another one: Kingmax PC3200 with the Kingmax TinyBGA chips, pretty good stuff from what little we hear of them: MWave.com $61 for 256Mb of PC3200 sounds reasonably good to me.

 

[drewdogg808]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
It sounds like there are two IDE drivers you can chose from when using WindowsXP. When you install the nVidia Unified Driver Pack (download from nVidia), if it asks you whether you want to install the "Performance" or "SW" IDE driver, say No, so it installs the WHQL-certified IDE driver instead. This will make your board's native IDE controllers look like standard IDE controllers to Windows. The "Performance/SW" option makes them look like SCSI and then Windows performs badly.

Or use Windows 2000. I just set up my 8RDA+ with Win2000 and didn't have to dodge this issue (for one thing, Win2000 works well with SCSI).

I would definitely buy some fast RAM, at LEAST quality-brand PC2700, since the next-gen processor you're considering is going to need it. My pick would be some Corsair XMS3200LL, the TwinX packs, except it's a moot point when you don't have the money The benefit of the nice RAM isn't simply that it can go fast, but that it can have its latency reduced by using tight timings as well. And if you want to overclock, you're ready.

i actually read somewhere that there isn't a problem with the drivers, but the installation. after selecting "no", manually update the drivers with the nforce one through device manager, and all is good.

 

[mechBgon]

Interesting. The strange thing is, I'm not given any opportunity to say No when installing the driver package in Win2000... it just runs until it's done, and that's that. So now I wonder if only WinXP users see that prompt. Or maybe nVidia went and changed their driver package to take out the troublesome driver.

I'll have to ask Insane3D to comment, because he has an 8RDA+ as well, and is installing WinXP on it, whereas I installed Win2000SP2.

 

[rb56]

I've been looking more at memory this morning and have been intrigued with the Geil memory. I understand that the PC2700 and PC3200 flavors would work fine, but there are three different PC3200's. Will all work with this board? Also, thinking ahead what about the PC3500 (Model#: GL2563500UP) would it possiblly save the need of upgraging memory with the next MB upgrage?

I'd like to try this brand of memory, what do you think? Which ones will work with this board and what are the advantages to going with the higher speed as far as future mb and cpu upgrades?

thanks
rb56

 

[rb56]

Nobody has any thoughts on Geil memory? (I'd like to get something ordered)

Also, whats your take on upgrading video card vs. CPU (see my first post)

I'd want to order today!

thanks,
rb56

 

[SpideyCU]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Here's another one: Kingmax PC3200 with the Kingmax TinyBGA chips, pretty good stuff from what little we hear of them: MWave.com $61 for 256Mb of PC3200 sounds reasonably good to me.

Hoo shaizah. And to think DDR prices are supposed to be dropping soon. Methinks I'll definitely do a bit 'o upgrading in the memory area.

rb56, if gaming is what you're interested in, a video card upgrade would do heaps more for you as opposed to the processor. Not looking at any benchmarks online, just judging from my personal experience and my resulting 3DMark scores over the past few months, through various component upgrades.

 

[rb56]

SpideyCU, I do very little gaming mostly encoding and photo work. I'm looking at the AIW 9700 but am waiting for the price to drop a bit. My main concern is memory, with the prices coming down I'd like to get as high of quality as could be used, it seams like the Geil might be a nice option. What do all you think? I know Corsair and Samsung are always mentioned but this Geil stuff seams like it might be pretty good.

thanks
rb56

 

[rb56]

Come on guys throw your two cents in, I want to decide and order!

rb56

 

[SpideyCU]

Encoding and photo work, eh? Then I really don't see a need for a high-end card like an AIW 9700 in you system, unless someone can point out a reason for it. Wait 'til the price goes down, by all means. A faster processor would then indeed be better suited for those kinds of operations.

As for memory, I too am waiting for the price drops to see what to jump on. I haven't had any experience with Geil (I'm mostly a Crucial guy myself, but I do stray sometimes), so, can't comment on that.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: rb56
Nobody has any thoughts on Geil memory?

it's complete and total garbage.
avoid like the plague.

 

[rb56]

Yield, chill dude you'll give yourself a heart attack!

Ordered Crucial PC2700, just can't seem to get away from the comfortably shoes! (I got Crucial in all my boxes) :Q

thanks to all that helped out,
rb56