Memory upgrade?

[Vegitto]

I'm going to upgrade my PC in a couple of months, or in a way, you could say that I'm gonna build a whole new system. However, my current system sports PC2100 RAM. Should I upgrade it, too, or can I go on with it? And, will it limit my overclock? That's kinda important, since it'll be bundeled with a Prometeia Mach II GT. I'm asking this, because I hardly ever make any money, and saving for this 'upgrade' has taken over 3,5 years, and I'm still not quite there.

What should I do?

 

[Vegitto]

Nobody? Aw, c'mon.

 

[stevty2889]

Well PC2100 would really be pushing it, If you weren't planning on overclocking you could run a divider and probably be ok, but if you plan to overclock, PC2100 ram will limit you even with a divider you won't get far without maxing out your ram.

 

[Vegitto]

So I really have to upgrade it too? Bummer..

 

[Vegitto]

Anyone else have an idea? Zebo?

 

[ProviaFan]

Try it, if it doesn't work well enough for overclocking, save for a bit longer and get some new RAM as well; at least you'll be able to enjoy your new computer while you wait.

 

[Emultra]

Why would you use that kind of RAM?

Get something more modern. What is your budget? What components are you replacing?

 

[Vegitto]

My budget is limited to about ?1000,-, and that includes the ECT Prometeia Mach II GT. The GT is about ?700, so that makes a total of ?300 for other parts . It took me really long to get this kind of money, so I want to spend it right. It'll take me more than a year to get together the money needed for the memory .

EDIT: The why? It was bought when I made my current system a little over 7 years ago.

 

[ProviaFan]

Your priorities are way out of line. WhyTH are you looking at phase change cooling on that low of a budget? Also, I don't seem to remember DDR being available 7 years ago...

 

[Vegitto]

Yeah, it was. I got it from a friend back then. Don't know how he got it.. And I won't change my priorities, the phase will stay. Y'see, when I upgrade again, and I already have the Mach II GT, I'll just have to buy another CPU kit for it, but I don't have to buy another machine. So, this is a one-time expense. It's large, I admit, but it's hella worth it.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Vegitto
Yeah, it was. I got it from a friend back then. Don't know how he got it..

Your times are off. DDR didn't start showing up until 2001 (see here).

And I won't change my priorities, the phase will stay. Y'see, when I upgrade again, and I already have the Mach II GT, I'll just have to buy another CPU kit for it, but I don't have to buy another machine. So, this is a one-time expense. It's large, I admit, but it's hella worth it.

That doesn't change the fact that you can get a heck of a lot more for ?1000 than ?300 overclocked could hope to do. It's far from the brightest idea, but whatever makes you happy...

 

[Diasper]

Um just to raise a question - while you might get the Mach II what happens when the form factor changes in X years time? You do MUCH better to be flexible and buy parts as and when you need them

What I'd recommend

3000+
DFI Ultra D (MSI Neo 2 Plat for AGP though if you want it to last into the future don't go AGP route)
Crucial RAM (2x 1GB if you can & want your system to last well into the future)
Antec Case

Then when dual core similiar comes down in price you have the upgrade option of going to it. Of course, if you wanted to put in a PPU down the road in a PCi-Express you also could (if my understanding that they intend it to work in it)

That'll beat a single core using mach any day.

Btw don't forget about electricity bill with that Mach


Even if you spend 500 now and 500 in 4 years time you'll be doing much better.
Heck 500 now on air will outdo 300 with Mach - a system is more than CPU speed

 

[Leper Messiah]

well, considering that ram is cheap as hell these days, why TF wouldn't you upgrade? I mean, you can get a GB of cheapo ram for $80 or so, IDK about EU prices, but still, your prioties are waaaay outta wack. Mebbe you should save some more or somethin'?

My guess would be, if you don't mind your bandwidth perf. to SUCK, then, you'll be okay. Most 133 ram can do, what, 145 2-2-2-5? depending on what proc you get you'll do decent, but you should def. look at getting newer ram.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: L3p3rM355i4h
Mebbe you should save some more or somethin'?

Or just drop the phase and get a system that would at stock kick the much cheaper overclocked system's derriere. Then overclock the better system on air (or even water) and it would kick ass some more. Just because phase is "cool" doesn't mean it's the best choice for your situation, by far.

 

[Vegitto]

Extracting phase is out of the question. It won't happen. Because the system won't be used for games, I can stay with AGP. It'll primarily be used for 3DMax/Cinema4D and some encoding. Does memory have a large hit in those two areas?

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Vegitto
Extracting phase is out of the question. It won't happen. Because the system won't be used for games, I can stay with AGP. It'll primarily be used for 3DMax/Cinema4D and some encoding. Does memory have a large hit in those two areas?

So, why the hell are you even asking? You obviously have no intention whatsoever of changing your plans no matter how hard we try to show you a better alternative, so go buy your crap and be happy.

 

[Vegitto]

I wasn't asking for advice on the cooling solution (hey, that's what it is), I was asking if PC2100 memory would suffice. If it doesn't, I'll have to delay my upgrade for another year or so.

 

[Diasper]

Well, to answer your question is that it may suffice - please refer to Zebo's stickied thread at the top of the CPU board. It will suffice if you can overclock it to at least 145mhz at 2-2-2 timings - however you'd really want to get to about 175mhz at say 2.5-2-2.

You see the problem is there's no point getting extreme cooling to get extreme performance when the rest of your parts just can't make the grade and will hold it all back.

The advice you have got on here has been friendly (and free) trying to calculate your best interests (money) - and in that everyone has been universal.

You're free to ignore that advice - it was given freely and can be ignored equally freely. I only have faith that that Mach II system when it doesn't give you the performance you crave will at least retain good resale value so you don't lose too much.

Kind regards

 

[blckgrffn]

You are going to miss the extra bandwidth everywhere... look at Zebo's stickied guide, PC2100 really is a bottleneck, but almost anything better isn't... pony up the dough and buy a gig of value DDR400 at least!

Not to mention that you have no guarantees that you will be able to OC well, phase or no phase. What are your plans if you get a dud chip? RMA it? That doesn't sound great to me, but I guess that is your choice...

Nat

 

[Vegitto]

Thanks for the replies. I'll just save for some time longer .