should I stay with ddr2 or upgrade to ddr3? UPDATE: went with ddr3...overkill?

[daveymark]

I just upgraded my machine to a Phenom running 32bit win 7. it is using 2x1gb ddr2. I have another motherboard that takes ddr3 memory but didn't install it since I don't have ddr3.

I would like to install more memory in order to see a performance improvement.


1x2gb ddr2 stick would cost me around $25 to $30 and I can just stick it in and go.

2x2gb of ddr3 would cost me around $62. If i did this I would have to swap out the mobo and then I would likely also install 64 bit windows 7.


Should I buy a 2gb ddr2 in order to upgrade to 3gb, or should I spend the extra $$$ on 4gb of ddr3? From what I have read 2gb is fine as long as I'm not running multiple applications. I want to spend the least amount of money, but if a noticeable difference would be seen using 4gb of ddr3 vs 3gb of ddr2 then I would consider spending more on the 4gb.

What do you guys think?

 

[Binky]

Keeping everything else the same, system speed with DDR2 and DDR3 should be about the same. Advantage of DDR3 is that its not end-of-life, and can be used on your next sytem.

I'd go for whatever is cheaper. The motherboard quality may be a consideration since you have both already.

 

[Blain]

2x2gb of ddr3 would cost me around $62.

* Where are you buying 4GB's of DDR3 for $62?
* What quality is the DDR3 that you can get for $62?

 

[Old Hippie]

If it were me I'd stick with the DDR2.

You're not gonna be running in triple channel mode with just 2 sticks of DDR3 anyway.

Save your pennies for at least 3 sticks of good DDR3.

 

[Arcanedeath]

He's running an AMD chip with only dual channel so 2 x DDR3 would work fine. It would depend on the motherboards, If the DDR3 board is new / nicer than you current board, I'd go with that and retire the DDR2 system plus if you get decent DDR3 you can carry it over to a new system down the road.

 

[Old Hippie]

He's running an AMD chip with only dual channel so 2 x DDR3 would work fine.

I never thought about that but it just strengthens my recommendation.

 

[daveymark]

Thanks for everyone's input.

After mulling it over, I was about to get a third stick of 2gb ddr2 to replace one of the 1gb sticks I have. it seemed the cheapest route and there were lots of basic sticks on ebay for $30.

Just as I was about to buy a basic stick, I realized I didn't even think of looking at the speed on my current ddr2 sticks...they are 266mhz!

after realizing that, I did a complete 180 and decided to buy kingston 2133mhz 2x4gb ddr3 for $80

Prices on the net look to be closer to $250 for that setup so it looks like I got a good deal, no?

what do you guys think, will I notice a difference? is it overkill? the asus ddr3 board only does 1800(OC), so I won't see the full 2133mhz I suppose....BUT I read somewhere that you don't really start to notice the difference between ddr2 and ddr3 until you get up to 1800mhz. is that true?

 

[jchu14]

Looks like a good deal. I don't know how much actual performance increase you'll see, but it's definitely a good deal and cool looking to boot. The only issue is that you have to be careful in making sure your cpu heatsinks won't interfere with the tall ramsinks.

 

[TemjinGold]

Considering you were looking at a $62 4gb kit, this is a total waste of money.

 

[daveymark]

Considering you were looking at a $62 4gb kit, this is a total waste of money.

yeah, I did a complete 180 on that one, and paid about $20 more than if I bought the $62 kit