Need RAM suggestions for my Athlon64 3400+ build (a newbie in distress!)

[Hopsing]

Hi All,

It's been a loooong time since I've built a system and done any OCing. Choosing components has been relatively easy but then I started digging into the complexities of RAM and man my head is spinning. The stuff is complicated! I've read through many of the other posts and learned a fair bit, but I'm still left scratching my noggin about a few things. Additional info/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I usually don't do much upgrading. I just build a system, tweak it eventually to maximize it's potential, use the snot out it until it's a dinosaur and then start over from scratch. Thus I'm happy going the A64/socket 754/8x AGP route. It's going to be plenty fast and capable for some time. It's the household computer, but it'll be used bigtime for gaming. Here's what I'm building:

Athlon64 3400+ 2.2GHz 1MB L2 cache (ClawHammer)
DFI LANparty UT nF3
Western Digital 160GB SATA
GeForce 6600 GT 128MB
Pioneer 108 DVD

I'd like to compliment this with 1GB of PC3200 DDR. I don't think I can spare the coin for top flight DDR so I'd like suggestions on the best mid-grade stuff for this system that will tolerate some OCing. Brand names & model #s anyone? Should I just get poorer and shell out for the high quality stuff? Is it worth it in terms of performance?

I've read conflicting things about whether you get better performance from using a single 1GB stick or going the 2x512 route with the Athlon64. Anybody know the answer to this? DIMM slot issues on the DFI mobo with a 1GB stick running at 400? Do I need single-sided modules or are double-sided OK?

Since I'm buying 1GB should I get dual channel DDR that could be used in my next system down the road? That seems to be where the road is headed. Any performance drawbacks to using dual channel RAM in the Athlon64/socket 754 platform?

What other issues should I be concerned about when selecting RAM for this computer? I know I must be forgetting something. I really appreciate the help. I like building computers, but my brain goes to mush trying to decipher all the technical jargon and turn it into a wise purchasing decision. Must be the same reason I gave up studying engineering in college. Thanks also for wading thru this lengthy post.

Hop

 

[Nyati13]

The rest of your stuff looks good for a mid-line gamer, for mild overclocking RAM you can buy 2 512MB sticks of PC3200 Ballistix straight from Crucial for about $260, if that is too much $ I would suggest some Corsair Value Select PC3200 cas2.5 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-026&depa=1 (make sure its cas2.5 and not the cas3 stuff) for $154 for a GB.

2 DIMMS in a socket754 setup should be fine, it is the 3rd DIMM that usually causes the trouble.

The RAM you see listed as "Dual Channel" isn't really any different than regular RAM, it is just packaged together with a nominal indication that both sticks can acheive the same speed/timings, which is only useful if you aggressively overclock.

 

[Vee]

What other issues should I be concerned about when selecting RAM for this computer? I know I must be forgetting something. I really appreciate the help. I like building computers, but my brain goes to mush trying to decipher all the technical jargon and turn it into a wise purchasing decision.

One issue I think is worth considering: What happens to game performance, if one simply ditches OC, and spends the money saved on OC MB and OC ram, on a 6800GT instead?

(But then I'm not a big fan of OC. Things become so much easier if you don't. Especially now with all the locked CPUs. Things also become cheaper, HS, ram, MB. Taking that into consideration, and using the critera of being able to run Prime95 test, is higher stable performance for your $ really achievable? Considering the other option of simply spending the money on a better Videocard instead? Or a notch better CPU? Maybe sometimes, but it's not a clearcut case, and experience and interest is an advantage. Experience and interest suggests somewhat of a hobby. And that in itself is expensive again.)