Memory question: which is better 256mb with higher sandra score or 512mb with lower...details inside

[VirginiaDonkey]

It will be easier for me to show if i make it a chart so here goes nothing

this is the type of memory and the sandra score for it

system setup system setting score

(original setup)
256mb Micron CL2/133mhz/4 bank 412/505
CL2 7ns chips

(original setup)
256mb Micron DRAM timing by SPD 420/541
CL2 7ns chips

(added memory)
original setup+256mb CL2/133mhz/4 bank 398/488
Micron CL3 7.5ns
chips

(added memory)
original setup+256mb DRAM timing by SPD 391/479
Micron CL3 7.5ns
chips

as you can see, the original setup with setting for Dram timnig by SPD is the fastest. My question is, would the increase of capacity (512 vs 256) offset the loss of performance or should I stay with the original setup.

My rig
AMD Athlon 900
FIC-AZ11E mobo (KT133)
Radeon LE
win98 original

thanks in advance!!

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

any other points of view or is this pretty much dead on?

 

[Duvie]

Why are the earlier scores cl2 7ns and now cl3 7.5ns? Is the second chip of lower standards???

I agree that the added benefit far out weigh a few points in a "synthetic" benchmark....I doubt it is noticeable in real world performance

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

Yes, the second chip is a lower quality chip. It is Micron but only rated as CL3. It will run at CL2 though. I got it from the comp USA sale going on. 384mb for $35. The 256mb stick is Micron chips, the free 128mb stick is Infineon chips.