RAM question

[iamnot]

I have two 512MB sticks of GEIL PC3200 I got from my first build back in 03 and still have the same 1 GIG of RAM. Since I don't know a lot about RAM I thought I'd just ask you guys about it. When I installed the RAM the timings were at 166MHz 2-3-3-7. I realized it was advertised as 200MHz so I went into bios and changed it manually to 200MHz 2.5-4-4-8. Is there a noticable performance gain from switching between the two settings?
Also:
XP
AMD 3700+
2x 512 PC3200
120GB 7200rpm
bfg 6800

Obviously I'm going to be upgrading my GPU really soon (7900gt or x1800xt 512), but I notice that I'm one of the last ones that load BF2.... now I know for a fact I should be loading games a lot faster than SOME of the people. Could it be a RAM thing...or GPU/HDD??

 

[ivwshane]

For the most part yes but I have seen benchmarks where memory timing had more of an affect on system performance than speed.

 

[iamnot]

what should i set it to: 166mhz @ 2-3-3-7 or 200mhz @ 2.5-4-4-8?

 

[ivwshane]

You will have to play around with it and see what's faster.

Find a good memory benchmarking program and run it at both speeds to see which one gives you better performance.

 

[iamnot]

Do you know of any popular memory benchmarking programs?

Also - I might get a 2 Gig kit (2x 1 gig modules) - Which do you recommend? A noticable boost in performance from GeIL??

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227210

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575

 

[ivwshane]

Both are good quality ram. I like corsair as a company and have had good experiences with them, however the OCZ does have the better specs.

Unfortunately I can't think of "good" quality memory benchmark programs, hopefully others will chime in. Sisoft sandra is the only one that comes to mind right now.

 

[iamnot]

Cool, thanks for your input...

I tried reverting back to the default setting in bios: 166mhz 2-4-4-8 and im seeing better performance already... however i'll see what Sisoft Sandra says about it.