question about this "ddr memory" vs. RDRAM

[CasioTech]

is rdram any good? Why are all these people for DDr, is it to save a few bucks, or is it really cheap?

How long until they come out with ddr ram?

 

[shathal]

1.: DDR SDRAM is out already. It's usually referred to as PC1600 (200 MHz) and PC2100 (266 MHz).
2.: DDR SDRAM costs about as much as "normal" SDRAM ... a little more maybe, but not much.

3.: RDRAM - is it any good? (here's a big question). The anwer is - depends.

If you intend to use an AMD system, there's no point (not to mention possibility) to go RDRAM, as there's no chipset and the CPU's won't be able to use the bandwidth (if they were to go dual channel).

It's more expensive (at the moment, considerably so) than DDR or "normal" SDRAM. However, it is quite interesting for certain users. RDRAM is really only of any benefit on the P4 - like the Athlon, the P3 just can't make use of the available bandwidth effectively. On the "good" side of news for RDRAM is that it should be getting a lot cheaper still in the future - with new technologies, volume-sales & such helping (don't want to bore you too much with details).

If you're talking about DDR RDRAM - that will not come out for the near future (I can't say whether it ever will come out - don't deal to THAT level with memory). RDRAM will have a speed-bump soon-ish to 1066 MHz - I expect this to be publically available around the same time that Intel will do the speedbump for the P4 to move to 533 MHz FSB.

I hope that this answers your question.

 

[CasioTech]

lol !

yeah, I got a new rig with 256 pc800 rdram.

Wanted to know if it's worth the money...

 

[Flatline]

On top of what Shathal has said-by the way, well stated-Rambus is one of those evil companies that no one really likes to support; they tried to attain a monopolistic position based upon non-existent (or at least questionable) patents.

 

[fkloster]

<< yeah, I got a new rig with 256 pc800 rdram. >>




<< Wanted to know if it's worth the money... >>



Arn't you supposed to ask that question BEFORE you buy?

 

[SaturnX]

It may just be me, but I don't know, I find being able to get 512MB PC2100 DDR for $80 a good deal . That's one of the main reasons my next upgrade is to an Athlon / DDR Board (most likely the A7N266)

--Mark

 

[grant2]

2.: DDR SDRAM costs about as much as &quot;normal&quot; SDRAM ... a little more maybe, but not much.

Where I am (vancouver, canada) there's about 100% premium for pc2600 vs. pc133 ... $40 vs. $80 for 256m