Questions about memory

[Chu]

Allright, I finally raked together enough cash to upgrade my video encoding machine, because 3-4 fps with a 900mhz P3 == 2-3 DAYS per video. I'm pretty much settled on a Asus P4B and a P4 1.6a, but i'm a little confused about memory.

Mushkin has the cheap stuff (512 megs DDR, PC 2100) listed at $125 and rated at 2.5-3-3. Another $30 will get you 2-3-3@2100. Another $30 will get you 2-2-2 @ 2100 or PC2700 @ 2.5-3-3.

My question is, how exactly can you translate the different latencies into real world proformance gain? Since my system is mainly being used for video encoding, I assume that I would notice "trivial" improvements more then most, but are we talking about $30 to $60 for only 1-2% proformance gains, or is it more substantial then that?

Also, while we are on this topic, I am pretty much taking for granted that my chip will hit 133x16. If I want to go higher though . . . what are the odds the cheap stuff (2.5-3-3) will crap out on me before my chip will? If the odds are high, what would the additional overhead for dropping $30 for 2-3-3@2100 get me?

In any case, thanks for any help with this problem, hopefully I can get this resolved and have my order placed tomorrow

-Chu

 

[AkumaBao]

If you're planning to OC, get the 2700's. You will have almost no chance of them crapping out on you. On the CAS latancy, you're not going to see too much of a difference. Although CAS 2 is the way to go anyways. IMHO I like off-brand memory better than Crucial. For the video encoding the CAS 2 will help.

 

[Chu]

>>

If you're planning to OC, get the 2700's. You will have almost no chance of them crapping out on you. On the CAS latancy, you're not going to see too much of a difference. Although CAS 2 is the way to go anyways. IMHO I like off-brand memory better than Crucial. For the video encoding the CAS 2 will help.


<<

Well, I'm really on a budget here and am trying to get the best bang for the buck. $60 is the difference between a 1.6a and 1.8a. It's also the difference between eating McDonalds and Ramen for a month. If money wasn't an option the PC2700 would be an obvious choice, but what is the extra $30 or $60 really getting me? That is what I need to know to make this decision :\

-Chu

 

[RadioactiveMagpies]

lets say you settle at
137 mhz (conservative overclocking for the northwoods i think):

137 mhz * 16 = 2192mhz
137 mhz * 18 = 2466mhz


I think any Mushkins ddr can reach that easily.
You'll notice the 275 mhz more than the .5 cas difference.