RAM Question

[skace]

Ok,
Right now I've got 1 stick of generic CAS3 256MB SDRAM in my PC. With prices so low, I'd like to put another stick in. Would it be worthless to buy a Crucial CAS2 256MB stick? should I buy a CAS3 stick of crucial instead? I don't want to buy 2 sticks of CAS2 because I plan to go DDR soon.

Also, with DDR prices so low... is anyone holding off on DDR to see what Crucial has up their sleeves? Or do you all think prices will go back up and the same ram will be sold... like it has in the past. It just feels odd that the DDR is selling the same/or cheaper than SDRAM (check the prices on their webpage).

 

[Croda]

Ya, if you buy a CAS2 module and run it with a CAS3 module, the CAS2 will drop to CAS3. It's not going to do you any good that way. Save the money and buy the CAS3.

 

[vinayag]

How much is the performance gain in going from cas3 to cas2 ?

I just ordered a new stick of cas3 256mb (133) Kingston valueRam from newegg and I already have a mushkin budget 128mb (133). Suddenly, I do not remember if the Mushkin budget ram is cas2 or cas3 !!! I got it in June 2000, so I guess it is cas3. Any way of finding out ? Or does anybody know ?

 

[skace]

Try switching to CAS2 in the bios while only the mushkin budget ram is in and see if it works.

 

[PliotronX]

AFAIK Crucial is very aggressive in their CAS ratings. Their CAS3 modules have been known to run at their rated frequency at CAS2. I've a Crucial CAS3 stick that runs fine at 136Mhz CAS2. But, your memory put together is only as good as the worst stick, so the generic stuff will probably hold it back from CAS2 if you got a Crucial stick, so you should either get a Crucial CAS3 stick or another generic CAS3 stick.