The State of PC-1066 RDRAM : Looking Forward

[sep]

Okay...Why did I even post this freakin article? I know about dual DDR, new chipsets to be realised, etc... I posted it to give us RDRAM users an option about our next upgrade. I invested in a motherboard and memory that support RDRAM not DDR. DDR at the time didn't and still doesn't appeal to me. Today PC066 memory performs better on a fast P4 than any current Intel chipset motherboard supporting DDR (not overclocked guys) memory. Tomorrow that will change and I'm not disputing that folks! No, I can't my system to oc past 145fsb due to the ram. That why this article was exciting to me. If I put PC1333 in my system I'm pretty sure I'll get a higher fsb. No, maybe not as much as you pros using ddr, but enough that I'll be happy. So in the end this post was for those other RDRAM users or those wanting to upgrade to an RDRAM system.

I'm not defending RDRAM, just explaining my reasons to you.

spicedaddy your right, intel doesn't plan on releasing an update to the 850 chipset and that makes me mad. DDR has been slow to add the performance need for fast mhz cpu's up until now 845pe release and dual ddr release. Intel pushed RDRAM as the choice for thier P4 system until the consumers wanted more affordable systems...they didn't care about the benchmarks just the pocket book. So SDRAM system where introducted and DDR followed.

I don't think RDRAM is a bad technology. If so, it would be in so many systems and mine.

Speaking of SIS and VIA, I hear there going to pickup where Intel leaves off supporting the RDRAM based motherboards. That's fine with me...just someone pickup Intel's leftovers!

 

[Duvie]

That is the beauty of this site...You don't need to explain anything to us...Do what you want...Pc1333 gives you longevity with your current system then that is great for you...

On a side note I know we have heard the lip service from via and sis but when it really comes time to step up I think they wont support it for long or in as many manufacturers as you would hope...Rdram is drastically losing marketshare of p4 users and many crossing over to ddr systems from older p4 pc800 system that equal p4 with pc2700 now. The DCDDR mobos likley will still even more of the rdram upgraders and thus I see the rdram future support being just a small niche market...that is my gut feeling...

Good luck!!!

 

[THUGSROOK]

its all good sep ~ nothing personal

Asusboards.com is a good RDram forum with lots of great info and quite a few compitant overclockers.

 

[DX2Player]

Originally posted by: Necrolezbeast
rdram also has WAY high latency...I agree with the previoulsy stated "bye bye" theory!

Um actually RDRAM 1066 has about the same latency as DDR and the new 1333 with have less latency so...you might want to rethink your opinion

 

[AdamK47]

RDRAM is not on the way out. There will be boards available in the future that will incorporate newer RDRAM technology. However, Intel will be shifting more twards promoting DDR RAM since it is a well established standard.

 

[mrman3k]

I think RDRAM should stay just to keep competition going for DDR.

 

[Cerb]

Competition GOOD!
1066 RDRAM is about even w/ the early dual DDR266 granite bay (HardOCP?)...P4s might actually look like a good solution (cost/performance) with DCDDR333. Hmmm...let's see...133x4 = 2x133x2 and 133x4 < 2x166x2...and latency is a minor issue for the P4 (though it sure didn't help the PIII and PIII Xeons early on!).

The article is a bit wrong, though, in it's statement about so few manufacturers quickly going to 1066 RDRAM...within days of the first reviews on toms, anad's, hardocp, etc., the Kingston 1066 was available everywhere (albeit at typical RDRAM pricing...2 sticks of PC2700 would be almost as cheap as one 1066 module). Oh, and by 'everywhere', I mean Newegg

Now, one thing Intel has done that's quite nice is noticed how their gamble w/ RDRAM went, and will be supporting both DDR and RDRAM in the future.

Due to Rambus, I would be hard pressed to get a stick of RDRAM.

Lastly, I personally hope RDRAM does stay around, because I doubt that w/o it, we'd be seeing DDR333 at relatively low prices, and the occasional DDR400 that works w/ 4-way interleave.

 

[Domy]

OHYEA For RDRAM!!!!!!!!

 

[DX2Player]

Never die....cant wait for Yellowstone

 

[Sxotty]

What was wrong with asus p4t-533? I am just curious as I have that board and I dont know what the problem is. (Although when I first installed it it would not post, then I drove it to a friends house and it got banged around on the way and worked perfect when I got there lol).

 

[PhoenixOfWater]

Originally posted by: Sxotty
What was wrong with asus p4t-533? I am just curious as I have that board and I dont know what the problem is. (Although when I first installed it it would not post, then I drove it to a friends house and it got banged around on the way and worked perfect when I got there lol).

Nothing wrong with your mobo itself it just that fast that it use Rambus...
Some ppl feel that Rambus is evil and high priced
And from the overclocker eye DDR can be overclocked much higher
If your not any overclocker and have lots of money then Rambus is fine
But i think i'll keep using DDR for now

 

[PhoenixOfWater]

Originally posted by: DX2Player
Never die....cant wait for Yellowstone

Hmm thats a new name...Do you have any info/web site on "Yellowstone"

 

[DX2Player]

Err actually 32bit ram is not that expensive, 256 of RIMM 4200 RDRAM is $103 while 256 of PC 3200 DDR is $110.
And P4T533 board can oc a P4 2.53 to 3.09, i dont think thats to bad of an oc.

Edit: "Yellowstone offers extreme performance memory signaling while lowering system cost by reducing pin count and eliminating external termination resistors. Yellowstone signaling achieves data rates of 3.2 to 6.4GHz, and provides between 10 and 100 GB/s of memory system bandwidth." here

 

[rIpTOr]

Here's how I see it. A new DDR speed is out every few months currently PC3500 is the latest (and is only 100MB/sec on average behind PC1066). A new RDRAM is out every few years DDR400 in dual channel will walk all over RAMBUS for years to come and that will become a reality when the 800MHz P4's come out. Intel is totally skipping 667MHz because even they know Dual Channel DDR is the way to go.

DDR is catching up with RAMBUS very fast and will soon surpass it.

 

[Toymaker]

THG's view on Rambus
Keep in mind that this is just a point of view by THG. I find their almost hatred of Rambus to be a little extreme considering the shadiness of the industry as a whole.

 

[308nato]

Interesting article.

I bought an Iwill P4R533-n off FS/FT for $70 shipped with a lot of goodies. I bought 2 256 sticks of Samsungs finest pc1066 for 206 shipped. Santa is bringing the 2.8 and Radeon9700pro at Christmas (one of those deals where santa brings his own presents-the kids expect Santa to leave everyone something cool-so I wait till the 25th).

I waited to see what Granite Bay was all about but I still saw Rambus as more than viable and much cheaper in my case. I'll pay $200 for a board when...well...I won't. That turned me off of GB immediately.

As far as people bashing Rambus for business practice....

...you should wake up and take note to how the gears get turned in the world of business everyday....by all the players.

 

[DX2Player]

Originally posted by: Toymaker
THG's view on Rambus
Keep in mind that this is just a point of view by THG. I find their almost hatred of Rambus to be a little extreme considering the shadiness of the industry as a whole.

Um well I think you should keep in mind that this was writen over two and a half years ago, lotta stuff changes in two and a half years. As for the companies tactics, beautiful if they can convince billion dollar companies to switch technologies for 4.7 million your one good sweet talker. Hey lets wake up here no billion dollar company is gonna screw themselfs over in the long run for a few bucks worth of incentive they do it because they think it has a chance or they think its what people will want. As for hiding technichal shortcommings who wouldnt try but the fact is its impossiable to hide anything when millions of people use it, any downside will be pointed out immediatly across forums like a plague. Anyways just my thoughts, i read at tomshardware every day but the shallowness in hatered is quite displeasing, almost like arguing why green is better than red.

 

[Hottie]

Well, I am just IT sales guy(not the corner store one). I am not a tech gee and I can only tell you what the mkt want. Since the RDram apprear on the mkt, I only sell maybe 10 1st tier system the equip w/ rdram(they're all workstation). And I don't have a single request for rdram stick from Corp. So on a business stand point, for manufactor to invest into making rdram is just not too logical. I agree they are great but they are going no where if nothing change.

 

[sep]

Originally posted by: rIpTOr
DDR is catching up with RAMBUS very fast and will soon surpass it.

And until then it's PC1066 or PC1200...Yahoo for us RDRAM users!

It's funny how the top of line PC vendors (DELL, ALIENWARE, FALCON) top of the line PC's are all based on the 850e chipset with PC1066 or PC1200. Oh and every mag I read says the top of the performance today (yes, today) is 533FSB running....PC1066 or PC1200 RDRAM.

Love how Anandtech's articles come back to life even when you thought they're dead...Long live this post!

 

[AdamK47]

I'll dig this thread up from the archive when you guys with RDRAM are using a Dual Channel DDR board with your Prescott.

 

[RanDum72]

I was going to wait patiently for the GB mobos and hold on to my 850E/PC800 combo when, lo and behold, this friend of mine is trying to sell some memory he cannibalized from his work (it went bankrupt and he was pretty mad he didn't get paid). He said it was 'definitely some sort of memory with shiny covers on them'. Curious, I had him bring it over so I could check them out. They turned out to be Samsung 16-bit PC1066 RDRAM (two 256mb sticks). I casually offered him $80 for both and he almost threw it at me without hesitation. So right now, I'm stuck with PC1066 and an Intel 850E motherboard I couldn't really tinker around with. But thats Ok since its blazingly fast and stable. And when 3ghz P4's come down in price (and with it comes HT), I'll still be ready.

 

[sep]

Originally posted by: AdamK47 - 3DS
I'll dig this thread up from the archive when you guys with RDRAM are using a Dual Channel DDR board with your Prescott.

You never know, the post might still be active!

 

[Acanthus]

dual DDR will be able to beat 16 bit dual channel rambus. For now.

The question is, will rambus last long enough to get to 1333? Furthermore on the original rambus roadmap there was dual channel 64BIT rambus planned for Q4 2003, it would utilize two 32 bit rimms in dual configuration.

But Dodeca Channel DDR will be faster!!

I use rambus and im not gonna sit here and say dual channel wont be faster, it will. But for well over a year now ive had the fastest platform with the fastest memory config, and its served me well.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: sep
True, but why put a good technology to sleep just because the big CPU manufacture is changing it's mind like a women (no offence to you beautifully ladies). Currently RDRAM is the best performer for the fast P4 chips. This will remain the same until future chipsets are released and if I have to choose between RDRAM PC1333 or DDR???, my bets going to be on RDRAM. However Intel will see that this doesn't go to far. On that note, anyone know the true reason why Intel is pissed at RDRAM (facts please).

the industry will eventually go to a serial memorly liek rdram. its inevitable. part of the reason they went to it in teh first place was to lower trace count on the motherboard. dual channel solutions only add to theproblem (twice as many traces) because since its a synchronized memory , the traces havew to be the same length (thats why you see traces that look like they are going in little circles on boards and tons of them. rdram requires less lines, and the lines dont need to be the same length so motherboard design wouldbe much easier.


serial is the future. ddr will eventually lose to it, maybe not for a while, but it will eventually.

 

[DX2Player]

What i wanna see is Dual channel 32bit RIMM-5300 RDRAM pumping 10.6 GB/s bandwidth, it wouldnt be to difficult to create other than getting them to actually support it and at the low costs of RDRAM now it wouldnt cost much more than dual DDR but would certinally have better performance.