ok, this is not a pure CPU question...

[loudSilence]

ok, I have A64 3000+ on an nForce4 board, now I used to have 2*256mb RAM and now I got another 2*512mb sticks, I wonder what would be better of the two:

1. use 2*512 + 2*256 (4 slots/dimms) i.e 1.5gb of RAM.
2. use only the 2*512 RAM

My machine is used for gaming as well as office-web apps. Another thing, the 2*512 sticks are value RAM, while the 2*256 is of a slightly improved RAM.

 

[stevty2889]

I would start with just the 2x512mb sticks. If you find that you need more, which is unlikely, then you can add the 2x256mb sticks. The reason being, that with 4 sticks, you'll be forced to 2T timings, which can result anywhere from a 2-3% performance loss, to as high as 7.5%, which isn't really that much, so it's up to you. If you have a winchester core or older, you'll also default to DDR333 with 4 sticks of ram as well.

 

[loudSilence]

when you say "default to DDR333..." does that mean that I can manually change it in mobo config or somthing like that?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

No whinchester and earlier chips will only run four sticks at DDR333, manually set it higher and it won't boot

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: loudSilence
when you say "default to DDR333..." does that mean that I can manually change it in mobo config or somthing like that?

Well you can try and set it to DDR400 manualy, but in most cases it won't work, and will be unstable. There are some who are lucky, and can get 4 sticks stable at DDR400 but I wouldn't count on it. If you have a core newer than a winchster, then you'll just get stuck at 2T rather than dropping to DDR333 as well.