Vista Memory Question

[kcbass]

I'm looking at purchasing the new eVGA 680i chipset board, and am aware the supposedly supporty memory up to 1200 (although none is out yet). I'm looking at the 800 speed since they seem to be the most prominent right now. My question is this: Is it better to go with cheaper faster memory right now and do either a single or double 2 x 1GB setup, or go with some slower (5-5-5-15) 1 x 2GB? I currently have 2GB in my xp system and regularly find myself running low on memory. I want my memory fast, but I don't want to risk maxing it out. So what's the best way to go with the current market and price structure? 

 

[Lord Evermore]

Better to have two modules no matter what, so you can use dual-channel mode. And more memory is better than faster memory, if it's not a huge difference. Especially if you are in fact running out of memory. Really fast memory that's not enough for your needs isn't going to perform better than plenty of slower memory.

You must be doing something special to run low with 2GB.

Correct link to rig by the way: http://www.anandtech.com/myanandtech.aspx?member=51350 The other one only works if you're logged in as you.

 

[kcbass]

Thaks for the rig info, I'm aware of this. I'll change it when i build my new one, since my old one isn't even up to date anymore. I just wonder if it's worth it to spend around 500 dollars now for 4 gb (2 x 2GB) high latency memory and have room for expansion, or spend around 250-300 for 4 gb (4 x 1 GB) low latency memory and have no room for expansion, so when decent faster higher capacity memory comes around I'll have to do a complete upgrade. 

 

[mechBgon]

Vista will try to keep programs that you use waiting in the RAM for fast launch. It even tries to factor in which ones you're most likely to use at a given time of day, as it learns your habits. So if you do get tons of RAM, it will at least try to make it pay off in a really tangible way (fast program launches from RAM), not just relatively-small differences that you need benchmarking to measure. Hence, I'd lean towards the 2 x 2GB overall.

 

[Boyo]

I'd go with the 2x 2GB of RAM, so you always have the option for expansion.

 

[kcbass]

I was leaning in that direction too, but a friend (building a similar system) told me i should go for the smaller memory to save cash and get the better timings, since everything in the system has to go through memory, slow memory would be the bottleneck of the system. I guess my main concern right now is the extra price and the bad timings since the 2 GB sticks are brand new to the market. 

 

[Lord Evermore]

Hard drives are the main bottleneck in any system. Memory speed is sufficient in any modern system, even with the fastest CPU, that the differences between very fast, low timing memory and slower, higher timing memory is hardly noticeable in real use. As said, more memory is better than faster memory, if you can make use of it. If you're willing to get less memory for lower cost, put the money towards a faster hard drive, not better memory timing. (To be fair, if you can avoid getting the very highest timing memory, do so, it's a reasonable tradeoff, just don't worry about trying to get the very best timing modules.)

 

[kcbass]

Thanks for the info...now I just need to convince myself the cost is worth it. 

 

[kcbass]

I just thought of this...If I buy the 2 x 2GB sticks with high timings, and I need more memory in the future, will my new sticks have to match the timings of the older sticks? 

 

[myocardia]

No, but, all of your RAM has to run at the slowest timings that any of them require. Which means that it doesn't help to buy faster timing RAM, if you aren't replacing what you already have installed.

 

[kcbass]

Ok, thanks. I was more worried that if they weren't compatible timings that the board wouldn't post, since I've never mixed memory before. It's not as much of a problem to know that they operate on the slowest timing. 

 

[kcbass]

Anyone know if any of the current 2GB sticks are compatible with the EVGA 680i mobo?