What Dual Channel RAM should I get?

[PTCvette]

Hey everyone!

Just a quick question for you... I'm ordering an ABIT IS7-E motherboard and a P4 2.4Ghz Northwood with the 800Mhz FSB right now from Newegg.

The question is do I really need dual channel ram? Will it make that big of a difference? And if so, I already have $275 worth of CPU and MOBO in my cart... I want the system to fly, so if it makes a big difference I would like to go dual channel! What is some decent RAM that won't get me shot by my wife for spending a lot more than I already am, but still give me the dual channel ability and all that??? I think 512MB will be good enough for now. I can always add more when the wife calms down about the first purchase

Thanks for your input
Jeff

 

[EeyoreX]

For dual channel (at least on AMD systems, which would be cheaper by the way ) you just need two sticks of matching RAM. For an 800FSB P4 I should think any matching 400MHz DDR RAM should work to give you dual channel.

\Dan

 

[PTCvette]

Yea I know that AMD would be cheaper, but I want an all-around bad system, and it's time for a change anyhow... The last intel chip I had was a Slot 1 Celeron 366 (legendary overclocker). I was thinking about going with the Kingston HyperX RAM, but talked myself out of it and figured I can just use what I have for now and upgrade that later.

Jeff

 

[mechBgon]

Dual-channel is going to be important. Without it... think Dodge Viper equipped with the tires/wheels off a mini-van. Wow, nice drivetrain and suspension... now, if it could just get some traction!

To be specific, Corsair is recommending their PC3500 or PC3700 modules for Springdale or Canterwood usage. Low-latency modules sound great but even Corsair's excellent LL modules can cause difficulties sometimes, judging by the owners' reports.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Low-latency modules sound great but even Corsair's excellent LL modules can cause difficulties sometimes, judging by the owners' reports.

most of these problems are being fixed by motherboard bios updates.

 

[Mavtech]

 

[Mavtech]

Sorry about the blank post. Edit wasn't available at first. I just bought 2 sticks of PC2700 512 MB from Crucial for $48 each, free shipping. Can't get much better quality for that price. I don't know if they are still offering the $25 discount though.

 

[PTCvette]

I need to check with crucial and see what I can find... I got some DDR SODIMMs from them for my laptop and they have been great. I've been a Crucial fan for a long time, so I'll probably end up going with them. My friend is about to buy the same setup and he swears that the HyperX memory from Kingston is supposed to be good for that setup.

On another note, what speed of RAM do I need for dual channel? Will any speeds work as long as they are the same thing? I saw something about 400Mhz somewhere along the lines... Is that what I should get? Obviously the faster the better, so I would assume I wanna be as fast as possible.

Thanks again!
Jeff

 

[mechBgon]

Dual-channel DDR400 matches up with the 800MHz-FSB Pentium4's so go that route. If you do buy Crucial, buy it off Crucial's site and use their memory configurator, so you have an iron-clad money-back guarantee.

 

[PTCvette]

Thanks mechBgon!

What I am wondering is when I go to Crucial's site and look at Abit IS-7 to see what works with it, I only see PC3200 as the max. Is that 400Mhz? Also, I don't see anything saying that any of the memory there is or is not dual channel... Can any memory be used as dual channel as long as it's 2 of the same speed strips? I can I acutally use what I have now as dual channel and it will run them both at the lower of the two speeds?? Any clarification or links to places that expalin this mess would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[compso]

Corsair and Kingston buy their chips from a 3rd party and integrates them into their modules. Micron makes Crucials RAM, cutting out the middle man thus passing on savings to consumers. Crucials RAM is always cheaper and you always know where the chips are coming from, so I suggest them.

As far as the association between PC3200 and DDR400; 400MHz is the bus speed of the RAM, when you multiply that by the width of the bus (8 bytes which is 64 bits) you get PC3200. Two DDR400 modules of the same CAS speed will work, just be safe and buy the same model.

Crucial 256MB PC3200 (DDR400) $49.99/ea
Searched other retailers and no one beats Crucials price for this model #.