Hello, all. The Anandtech forums have been an indespensable help throughout my quest to build my first solid, budget-conscious gaming computer. Thanks to all of you!
Currently, I'm researching RAM, and I have a few questions. I'm planning on buying a socket 939 Athlon64, likely a Venice 3000+, with an overclock-friendly EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra motherboard. My understanding is that, in the advent of the K8's onboard memory controller, memory timings aren't as essential as they used to be, so I'll be looking at value RAM to keep costs down. Because of my budget, I'm purchasing a single gig of memory for the time being, with the expectation of expanding to two gigs in the future. However, I'm unsure what approach to take with buying RAM, because I'm unsure how much weight I should put on eventually having a dual channel memory kit.
I figure that I have two options. On the one hand, I can buy a gig of memory now, and later add another gig. The most cost-effective option here is to purchase one 1024 stick, and then purchase an additional 1024 stick in the future.
On the other hand, I can buy a gig of memory now, and later replace it with a two gig kit of dual channel memory. The most cost-effective option here is to purchase a 2x512 kit, and later swap it with a 2x1024 kit, because a 2x512 kit costs less than a single 1024 stick.
Really, the essential variable in my options is the importance of dual channel kits. If the extra overall cost is worth it, I'll purchase a 2x512 kit, and later replace it entirely with a 2x1024 kit. However, if having a dual channel kit is not worth the extra cost, I can save more money by buying one 1024 stick now, and later adding another 1024 stick. In short, is it worth it for me to invest later in a 2x1024 kit, considering I can only buy one gig of memory now?
Also, I'm currently looking at budget DDR PC3200 memory from OCZ, Corsair, and Patriot. My understanding is that these companies generally make solid memory, so I can't go terribly wrong - epsecially in their budget sections. However, memory comes in plenty of odd shapes and sizes, and can often operate quite differently in different motherboards. Does anyone have insight on the function of these - or other - memories with the EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra? Would I be best served using one brand or type over another? Does one brand perhaps have a better 2x512 kit, and another a better 2x1024? Or, perhaps most importantly, is one brand better known for decent dual channel performance with two separate, "single channel" memory sticks?
No matter which route I take, I'll end up with a gigabyte of memory for now, and later expand to two. Anyone who can can provide me any info on accomplishing this effectively would have my utmost appreciation. Thanks in advance!
Currently, I'm researching RAM, and I have a few questions. I'm planning on buying a socket 939 Athlon64, likely a Venice 3000+, with an overclock-friendly EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra motherboard. My understanding is that, in the advent of the K8's onboard memory controller, memory timings aren't as essential as they used to be, so I'll be looking at value RAM to keep costs down. Because of my budget, I'm purchasing a single gig of memory for the time being, with the expectation of expanding to two gigs in the future. However, I'm unsure what approach to take with buying RAM, because I'm unsure how much weight I should put on eventually having a dual channel memory kit.
I figure that I have two options. On the one hand, I can buy a gig of memory now, and later add another gig. The most cost-effective option here is to purchase one 1024 stick, and then purchase an additional 1024 stick in the future.
On the other hand, I can buy a gig of memory now, and later replace it with a two gig kit of dual channel memory. The most cost-effective option here is to purchase a 2x512 kit, and later swap it with a 2x1024 kit, because a 2x512 kit costs less than a single 1024 stick.
Really, the essential variable in my options is the importance of dual channel kits. If the extra overall cost is worth it, I'll purchase a 2x512 kit, and later replace it entirely with a 2x1024 kit. However, if having a dual channel kit is not worth the extra cost, I can save more money by buying one 1024 stick now, and later adding another 1024 stick. In short, is it worth it for me to invest later in a 2x1024 kit, considering I can only buy one gig of memory now?
Also, I'm currently looking at budget DDR PC3200 memory from OCZ, Corsair, and Patriot. My understanding is that these companies generally make solid memory, so I can't go terribly wrong - epsecially in their budget sections. However, memory comes in plenty of odd shapes and sizes, and can often operate quite differently in different motherboards. Does anyone have insight on the function of these - or other - memories with the EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra? Would I be best served using one brand or type over another? Does one brand perhaps have a better 2x512 kit, and another a better 2x1024? Or, perhaps most importantly, is one brand better known for decent dual channel performance with two separate, "single channel" memory sticks?
No matter which route I take, I'll end up with a gigabyte of memory for now, and later expand to two. Anyone who can can provide me any info on accomplishing this effectively would have my utmost appreciation. Thanks in advance!
