Registered memory: why bother?

[MadCowFatScouser]

Howdee.

Am about to buy the Abit KG7-RAID mobo, and think I understand the RAM module issues: i.e. up to 4 banks unbuffered, or 8 banks registered. Which type should I go for?

My current system is so damn old it has moss growing out of it, so I'll leave it's old RAM well alone. I'll probably buy new Corsair or Crucial PC2400 to allow overclocking on the Abit's 266 MHz DDR bus, but should I go registered or unbuffered?

I want at least 512 Megs, but also want to buy memory modules as future proofas possible. Registered memory is slower than unbuffered, it seems. I know it's safer for file servers, etc., but does it have any advantages for the home user?

 

[Noriaki]

Registered is for workstations that need a lot of RAM.
It's actually slightly slower because of an extra level of logic.

Sometimes this can be masked...but it's something to consider.

Besides, a 32bit CPU is limited to 4gigs of RAM anyways...so when they release 1GB DDR DIMMs you can load up 4 of those and be at the max a 32bit pointer can address.

 

[Athlon4all]

Fyi, KG7-RAID does actually support 8 banks (4 DIMM's) of unregistered RAM.

 

[MadCowFatScouser]

Thanks, I guess what I really wanted to know was this: is the only reason to buy registered memory because your mobo demands it? I guess that's what you're saying.