upgrading from pc2700 to pc3200

[shakmasta]

I recently upgraded my computer to a gigabyte ga k8nsc 939 mobo and a amd athlon 64 3200+ cpu. my old system ran at a 333 mhz fsb but this new mobo can run at 400. I put my pc2700 memory on the mobo(2X512). I have not overclocked the memory because I never tried and don't really know how to do that so it is running at 333 speed. My question is would I get a big performance gain or even modest if I buy 2X512 of pc3200? My assumption is that I should get some performance gain because the system can handle ddr400 but I only have ddr333 in it. Am I right? btw, it is a dual channel memory system.

Also would it make a big difference if I upgrade to pc3200 with CAS of 2 instead of 2.5? My current pc2700 is only 2.5. Prices are around $90 for 2.5 and $115 for 2.

Or should I just try to oc my current pc2700. If that is the suggestion, could someone run me through how to do that and is it dangerous to the system?

Thanks

 

[d2arcturus]

Not really much need to upgrade or OC, unless you OC the CPU, if that's the case, get new RAM.

 

[Mattd46612]

Hell with overclocking Im running my pc3200 at 133. Slap a divider on that and send your processor to 2.5ghz.

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: Mattd46612
Hell with overclocking Im running my pc3200 at 133. Slap a divider on that and send your processor to 2.5ghz.

Too big of a divider for my comfort.

 

[Sforsyth]

would running slower ram downclock his CPU also?

 

[Sforsyth]

Originally posted by: Sforsyth
would running slower ram downclock his CPU also?

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: d2arcturus

Originally posted by: Mattd46612
Hell with overclocking Im running my pc3200 at 133. Slap a divider on that and send your processor to 2.5ghz.

Too big of a divider for my comfort.

Your comfort doesn't matter.

Using a divider with A64s is perfectly fine, since they don't actually run syncronously anyway.
Whether you like it or not, you are always running some sort of divider on A64s, even at "1:1"

Sforsyth: a divider allows you to run RAM at a lower speed than the HTT.
On my PC for example, i run at 10*260 with a 133 divider, which puts my RAM at ~174.
So the answer to your question is no.

To the OP: i wouldn't bother upgrading your RAM; it's really not going to be a huge improvement.
Now if you have the money to burn, go for it. But getting a better video card, etc., would give you a more visible improvement.

 

[shakmasta]

I have a 6800gt vid card so that is pretty good. I am not savvy with ocing the ram or cpu unless I get a straight forward tutorial on how to do it. Does anyone know of a site that has such a tutorial? Very new at this sort of thing. So even a CAS of 2 on the 3200 ram really wouldn't help me out much in increasing performance? Would more ram help? I can stick two more sticks of 512 in the other two slots. 2 gigs of ram. Would that make any difference?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[imported_rod]

If you decide to replace your current RAM, I'd think about getting 2x1GB sticks.

RoD

 

[nadirshakur]

Originally posted by: rod
If you decide to replace your current RAM, I'd think about getting 2x1GB sticks.

RoD

Dont mean to get off topic, but rod can you tell me if you are having any issues with your motherboard at all. Specifically are you disapointed with any features inavailablity, Perforamce?

 

[shakmasta]

If you decide to replace your current RAM, I'd think about getting 2x1GB sticks.

So you are saying that 2 1 GB sticks are better than 4 512's. Why is that? If it's the same amount of RAM, shouldn't it be equal? As you can tell I am ignorant of technical stuff.

1GB sticks are expensive aren't they? Is Rosewill memory any good. Newegg has 2 1GB sticks at CAS 2.5 for around $195.