What kind of RAM should I get?

[HorseShoe]

Hey guys, I wanted to upgrade my computer's RAM from 512mb to 1024mb.

Right now i have a single 512mb DDR-SDRAM PC3200 (200mhz) on a Asus P4C800.

Now i heard that my motherboard can support dual channel RAM, but i have no clue what that is and thats why i wanted to know what kind of RAM u guys think i should get.

 

[amdskip]

Memory can run in dual channel. Your current memory will run in dual channel along with another stick of new stuff. Go to newegg, etc. and pick out another stick of PC3200. Memory is cheap right now. I don't have a specific reccomendation for you, just read the reviews people leave.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

In order to run dual channel you would need another stick of what you have. Even then they may not work in dual channel. Your best bet is to sell the single stick & buy a matched pair to ensure you can use the dual channel.

 

[HorseShoe]

I actually got a chance to read up a bit on ram just a little while ago and i was wondering what the ram timings where?

And when you say that I should buy paired ram do you mean something like this?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-145-522&DEPA=1

 

[ts3433]

Actually, often you can use two sticks in DC even if they're not a perfect match aside from capacity... some have even mixed brands. Remember, it's all dependent on how the memory controller cooperates.

Get another stick of what you have or similar. With a P4, dual channel will greatly increase performance.

 

[HorseShoe]

what if i got those corsair ones and kept my current 512mb stick, would they still work fine even though they have different ram timings?

 

[ribbon13]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-231-012&depa=1

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: HorseShoe
what if i got those corsair ones and kept my current 512mb stick, would they still work fine even though they have different ram timings?

1. You will default to the lowest RAM timings out of all three sticks.
2. No dual channel for you. Remember, this is significant with P4s.

 

[HorseShoe]

Originally posted by: ts3433

Originally posted by: HorseShoe
what if i got those corsair ones and kept my current 512mb stick, would they still work fine even though they have different ram timings?

1. You will default to the lowest RAM timings out of all three sticks.
2. No dual channel for you. Remember, this is significant with P4s.

Can you explain what you mean by #2 ?

Also would it matter what kind of processor I have when it comes to choosing what RAM to buy?

 

[Oyeve]

Maybe you should jump on This while you can. I use this stuff and it works great. Cant beat the price.

 

[ts3433]

About dual channel being significant with P4s... the NetBurst architecture loves memory bandwidth, and it's a huge factor in performance. Since dual channel doubles your theoretical memory bandwidth, it brings a marked increase in overall performance.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: HorseShoe
I actually got a chance to read up a bit on ram just a little while ago and i was wondering what the ram timings where?

And when you say that I should buy paired ram do you mean something like this?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-145-522&DEPA=1

wow. what a waste of cash!


grab this like ribbon suggested.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: Oyeve
Maybe you should jump on This while you can. I use this stuff and it works great. Cant beat the price.

WINNAR! This is good RAM. :thumbsup:

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: HorseShoe

Originally posted by: ts3433

Originally posted by: HorseShoe
what if i got those corsair ones and kept my current 512mb stick, would they still work fine even though they have different ram timings?

1. You will default to the lowest RAM timings out of all three sticks.
2. No dual channel for you. Remember, this is significant with P4s.

Can you explain what you mean by #2 ?

Also would it matter what kind of processor I have when it comes to choosing what RAM to buy?

With Dual Channel RAM you can only run matched pairs of RAM sticks. Adding the third stick will disable the dual channel feature. It would still work but not in Dual Channel mode.

It makes no difference which processor you have... memory type is a feature of the motherboard.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-145-440&DEPA=1 is a good choice for you and then sell the old stick or put it in another machine.

 

[ribbon13]

G.skill
Patriot

Seriously for the price difference there is no reason to get the Corsair VS over the G.skill

 

[HorseShoe]

wow thats quite a price difference, why is that ?

 

[ribbon13]

Thats like $8 more than VS1GBKIT400... 'quite' isn't quite the word...

Its CAS2, doesn't have problems with th DFI Ultra-D and it overclocks more. Well worth $8

 

[HorseShoe]

hehe sorry i meant these 2

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-145-440&DEPA=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-145-522&DEPA=1

 

[ribbon13]

2-2-2-5 timings is why.

 

[HorseShoe]

So the lower tha RAM timings are the better it is?

And on the cheaper ones it says 2.5, how come it doesn't give the whole thing like the more expensive one did?