Memory Selection? Help...

Sammy5000

Senior member
Feb 25, 2003
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Ok - Here is the skinny. I have a rig based on the Shuttle AN35N Ultra Mobo (nforce2 chipset). It has three DDR slots and can support up to DDR400. I am running a Barton 2500+ at stock speeds (333Mhz). The $64,000 question is which combination/set should I use in this rig?


1 - 2 Sticks of 512MB Crucial DDR400 (PC3200) - 1 GB Total running in Dual Channel
2 - 2 Sticks of 256MB Corsair XMS DDR333 (PC2700) - 512MB Total
3 - A Combination of the Two Sets

Now, I currently have the rig running on the first option (1 GB of PC3200), but again, since I am not overclocking, and really don't do much of it, I am waisting the extra speed. I know the XMS brand memory modules are great for gaming, which is my main interest, but it would be only 512MB of it vs. 1GB. Also, if I combine the two, what combination would work best?

Your thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 

mamisano

Platinum Member
Mar 12, 2000
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Keep the current 1GB of memory.... The XMS 2700 will offer you no benefit and will actually hurt performace if you go down to 512MB. Play around with the timings in the bios for your current setup... chances are that by running the PC3200 at 2700, you can tighten up the timings and gain some performance.
 

Sammy5000

Senior member
Feb 25, 2003
214
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Originally posted by: mamisano
Keep the current 1GB of memory.... The XMS 2700 will offer you no benefit and will actually hurt performace if you go down to 512MB. Play around with the timings in the bios for your current setup... chances are that by running the PC3200 at 2700, you can tighten up the timings and gain some performance.

Would using the twin sticks of Corsair in DC, along with a third stick of 512 MB Crucial (defaulted back down to 2700 speeds) be a feasible alternative? That way, I can keep the 1GB total?
 

howdyduty

Senior member
Feb 21, 2001
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Stay with the 1Gb of PC3200. Ohhh, that ram and the 2500+ are dying to run at 200fsb. If performance is what you want, tweak that baby.