RDRAM - PC800/PC1066

[ddasilva99]

I am buying RDRAM for my new computer. My new computer will have the Intel Pentium 2.4B chip running on the I850E Chipset. I want to know if it would be worth the extra $$$ to go to PC1066 (instead of PC800) and if I would see a big jump in performance. Should I save my money and buy PC800 ram now and buy PC1066 RAM later (when it is cheaper) or go and spend the extra $$$ for PC1066?

Thanks
Derek

PS: Should I buy 16bit or 32bit RDRAM?

 

[JackBurton]

PC1066 will allow you to run your memory at 533MHz FSB, PC800 will only let you run at 400MHz FSB (technically). You can always overclock you PC800 to run at PC1066 speeds, but it isn't guaranteed. I'd get the PC1066.

Now if you'd need 16 or 32bit RDRAM, I'll need your system specs to determine that. But mostly likely you'll need 16bit.

 

[CJP]

I haven't read anything recently about the i850 as Intel is switching to dual channel DDR. However, the reviews of i850e based boards when they first came out said that you'd get a substantial boost from pc-1066 rdram. If you're going to go with an i850-e based system I'd say go with the 1066 Rdram. Buying pc800 and then switching later might cost more in the end - unless you really wait a long time for prices to go down.

 

[Fox2k]

I'm in the same boat myself, I have rambus and a p4 board in the mail. I bought 184pin (16 bit) rambus because the board I wanted supported that type. If you have our eyes set on a certain board, find out what type it supports and go with that. Otherwise, 32 bit (232 pin) is your best bet, I think it gives slightly better performance. Also be careful because variations of boards will support different types of memory. for example the p4t533 supports 232 pin, and the p4t533-c suppots 184 pin.

 

[l31itz]

get the pc1066 ... it will save you trouble later in upgrading

 

[ddasilva99]

I have the Giga-Byte Motherboard (model # GA8IHXP)...does that support 16bit or 32bit?

 

[nick1985]

go with the 1066

 

[JackBurton]

I have the Giga-Byte Motherboard (model # GA8IHXP)...does that support 16bit or 32bit?

It's 16bit. When you here PC800 or PC1066, 99.99999% of the time they are referring to 16bit RDRAM. When you see RIMM3200 or 4200, that's 32bit RDRAM.

 

[Thor86]

Depending on which board you get, you may want to consider saving a bit of cash and get pc800 lowdensity original Samsung Rdram modules (16 device - 256 meg) at Googlegear or ATACom which are known to run at pc1066 speeds without problems. These are what I run at 533 FSB on my Asus P4T-E.