nForce2 Question

[compudog]

I'm looking to get an nForce2 mobo (Leadtek K7NCR18D-pro) I was going to go with the Gigabyte GA-7VAXP KT-400, but the nForce2 may be the better platform for the Athlon XP. Anyway, Should I get 2 sticks or RAM (2x256) or 1 512MB?? I would like to take advantage of the DualDDR but I am not quite certain how this works. There is not much info on the Leadtek site (Here) I read the review of the board over at AmdMB (Here) Any ideas/suggestions???

 

[GullyFoyle]

You absolutely should get 2 sticks of 256 if you're getting an nForce board.

 

[touchmyichi]

yes, I totally agree 2 x 256 is the way to go for nforce 2. Nforce 2 has dual channel ddr that you might want to take advantage of. Dual Channel pc 2100 is actually faster than 2700+ not on dual channel, just so you know if you decide to get pc 2100. I think that 2x256 pc 2700 is the way to go if you have a 333 athlon or oc a 266 one.

 

[compudog]

OK, so I get the nForce with 2 stick of PC2100 DDR??? Enlighten me; PC 2100 is at 133 MHz DDR or 266, PC2700 is at 166MHz DDR or 333 and PC3200 is at 200MHz DDR or 400 correct? So the KT266 used PC2100, the KT333 used PC2700 and the KT400 uses PC3200. Doesn't the nForce support PC3200? I'm getting confused here.

Basically I want 512 MB of RAM. If I buy I KT400 motherboard I would get 1 512MB of PC2700 (333MHz). If I go with the nForce2 what RAM should I get? 2 sticks of PC2100?

 

[mechBgon]

It might be smart to buy at least DDR333/PC2700 so you're ready if you want to use a 333MHz-based CPU later.

 

[compudog]

Ok. I think I get it. Now just to order the stuff for my new rig. The case is already on it's way. Chieftec Aluminum Green-Gold Dragon from Directron. See it here! Thanks to everyone. Hopefully I'll be running in style in a few weeks!! I've been waiting to upgrade since Summer of '99 when I got this PIII-600!

 

[gaidin123]

The thing to keep in mind here is memory ratios and the FSB speed of the CPU you are going to toss into the nForce2 board. Athlons up to the 2600+ use 133Mhz FSB. Athlons at 2600+ and higher (yup, 2 versions of the 2600+ out there with different Mhz ratings) run at a 166Mhz FSB. If you are even thinking of getting a 2600+ or higher CPU you need to buy good DDR333 RAM just to be able to run at "stock" synchronous speeds.

To take advantage of the dual channel DDR of the nForce1 and nForce2 chipsets you are required to install RAM in matched pairs. In your case, and probably most "normal" users' cases, you will want to buy 2 256MB sticks of DDR RAM.

Ok, with that out of the way you then get to decide if you want to overclock. If you buy a 133Mhz FSB athlon I'd imagine that quality DDR333 RAM will be fine. If you buy a 166Mhz FSB Athlon OR plan on overclocking a 133Mhz FSB Athlon such as the 1600+ to 166+Mhz FSB then you will want either PC3000 or PC3200 (DDR400) RAM. Buying the faster speed RAM will give you a lot more leeway when overclocking your system.

With the nForce2 you can also tweak the memory ratios and run the RAM asynchronously from the FSB. You could buy DDR400 RAM from the outset and run your RAM at DDR400 speeds if you choose. Ideally, the nForce2 and most every other major chipset out there will perform best if you run the RAM synchronously with the FSB. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you plan on using the IGP on an nForce2 board you will want DDR400 as the onboard graphics receive a noticeable performance bump with faster RAM.

Gaidin

 

[compudog]

gaidan123, thanks. That puts it into perspective. I will be going with the Albatron GeForce4 ti4200P Ultra board for now. Maybe down the road I'll pick up something faster. (I just read the GeForceFX review!!) Anyway, once again, thanks to all of you. I can't wait to build this machine!!!