Name-brand memory hype?

[rocketPack]

Hello,

I've been using some rather generic memory for the last couple of years. What I have is an MSI K7N2-L motherboard with one of the earlier interpretations of "dual channel" DDR memory. it has the fairly common 3-slot setup with one slot offset from the other two to identify the seperate channels. For a couple of years I've been running generic memory in this config:
Slot 0 - 256Mb "Transcend technologies" (single sided) DDR333/PC2700
Slot 1 - 256Mb "Transcend technologies" (single sided) DDR333/PC2700
Slot 2 - 512Mb "Avant Technologies" (double sided) DDR333/PC2700

I just got a set of mushkin 1Gb (2x512mb) double sided DDR400/PC3200 and replaced my memory with these new modules (entirely). When I booted up I found that my timings were actually the exact same as my generic memory, and when I booted Windows it actually took a little longer than before.

My system is running as such-
AMD AthlonXP 1700+ @ 1708MHz
FSB overclocked from 133 to 155
DRAM ratio 1:1 for a DDR rate of 310MHz
My timings are coming out as 2.5-3-3-6, but only because I modified the stock settings of 2.5-4-4-7 - exactly the same as my generic memory. So right now I'm sitting here wondering - why did I just spend $145 to replace my memory with the exact same thing? The only difference is that this memory is rated for higher speeds than my old stuff, but for this computer as it is, what was the point?

Would it benefit me to boost the DRAM ratio so the memory operates at higher speeds? Personally, I ran with my memory/fsb async, and I found that running it at 1:1, though technically "slower", provided a very noticable performance increase.

The part that really disappointed me was when I opened up CPU-Z, and saw this....
Module 0     DDR-SDRAM PC3200 - 512 MBytes
Module 1     DDR-SDRAM PC3200 - 512 MBytes

Even my generic transcend memory is branded with a brand-name in CPU-Z, but this mushkin stuff seems even more generic than my generic memory!

What should I do? Did I waste my money?

Also, what are the benefits & downsides of single- and double- sided memory? As far as I could tell, double-sided memories meant more memory chips which meant less memory per chip, which mean less depand per chip and thus higher performance. However, that idea was simply pieced together from partial knowledge and partial "hypothesis".

I appreciate your feedback/feelings/etc...

 

[coejus]

Generic memory is fine for mom boxes and the like, but if you're overclocking, it probably won't cut it.

You might be having some problems. That memory should be faster...

 

[rocketPack]

But I am overclocking, and I have been.

 

[Amaroque]

You should be able to set that RAM to lower timings manually. But, don't drop all the timings at once, or you may have to reset your CMOS.

It's rated for a latency of 2.5-3-3, and a voltage of 2.6

That is DDR 3200, and you aren't running your FSB that fast, so you might be able to run 2-2-2.

 

[rocketPack]

I was actually considering that fact myself, i think i will try that out - hopefully i will see some worth $ improvements =) Thanks for the suggestion!

Also, I was still curious... what's the difference between single- and double- sided memory modules?

 

[Philippine Mango]

Yea actually motherboards aren't GUARANTEED to run at a stick's ACTUAL timing and whatnot. Just because you choose the SPD option, doesn't mean thats what it actually is! I bought some corsair PC 4000 memory and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't run at 250FSB in sync, checked the memory package and turned out the SPD settings were totally wrong. Look up your memory or like one mentioned above, try those timings instead..

 

[ComatoseDelirium]

Rocket, ram doesn't speed up computer power on time, that is all dependant on your harddrives speed, also I don't think much of name brand over generic, its really dependant on the ram module of itself, I like value ram, corsair or kingston, with some heat speaders, and im set to go.

 

[Regs]

Like others said, it's mostly about motherboard compatibility and overclock stability. OCZ PC3200 ram rated for 200 bus could run a 230-240 bus with tight timmings.