KT266A and unbuffered memory

[bobwill]

my friend Al just bought a Soltek SL75DRV2 and two sticks of 256 meg unbuffered crucial pc2100. He wants to know whether he'd need to get rid of his sticks and buy registered RAM to fill the 3 slots. Thanks,

Bob

 

[RustyNale]

I'd say he's good to go with the Crucial mem he's got, bout the only time you'd need registered memory is say... for a server. Registered is nice, stable and secure, but slower than unbuffered mem. Unless his mobo is calling for it, he's good with what he's got.

 

[bobwill]

thanks Rusty,
I kinda thought he'd be good filling all the slots with unbuffered, but I wanted to make sure before giving him an answer. Thanks again.😎

 

[Workin']

I think Rusty's a little confused between registered vs. ECC DIMMs. They are not the same thing.

Anywho, you don't need registered DIMMs if you use 3 slots. And the KT266A chipset doesn't even support ECC memory, so you sure don't want to use that.

So the answer is the same but for different reasons.

 

[RustyNale]

How's that, Workin'? Registered memory has an extra chip that slows the flow of info by 1 cycle, which makes it slower, but more stable--and costly. For what bobwill's friend is using it for (unless he is going to run it as a server) he's fine with the less costly and faster unbuffered ram, especially if he plans on oc'n at all.

 

[KGB1]

I think Workin' has got you there Rusty (though I do enjoy your quote)
ECC (error checking chip) RAM is not registred RAM, actually it can be Unbuffered either/or Registered.
But registered RAM is just pricey(not slower though), but there is the peace of mind knowing that you RAM will not die out on you.

That Soltek board of your friends is adequate to handle 3 DIMM's filled to the Brim.