What memory?

[HowFunky]

Hiya,

Just bought an EPOX nforce2 Motherboard and an Athlon xp 2400+ processor to sit on it. But I can't decide what speed memory to go for. I'm going for 512MB but does DDR333 sound the best choice - or is it better to go with DDR266 that works at the same pace as the Athlon FSB? And does CAS2 make a big difference over CAS2.5?

I doubt I'll be doing much overclocking so that isn't really an issue - but I still wanna buy the quickest memory I can that gives good price/performance figures (and isn't outrageously priced!). AND - what about two strips of 256MB instead of one of 512MB to use the Dual DDR channels of the nForce2.

Jeez - how will I EVER decide! As you can tell I have no idea about memory so the more help the better!!

Thanx!

A

 

[microAmp]

I would go with DDR333 for future upgradeability.

I looked around a little bit and never could find DDR266 that does CAS 2.0, might not have looked hard enough though, but DDR333 CAS 2.5 might be able to do CAS2.0 at DDR266 speeds and if the future upgraded goes with DDR400 if it's good RAM should be able to hit that.

 

[CaptnKirk]

If you want to do CAS 2.0 get QUALITY RAM, Cheap RAM won't cut it.
Crucial or Samsung will - Get the PC2700 DDR333 it's better and has more overhead.

FYI - there is NO official PC3200 DDR400, the JEDEC (Electronics Certification Board) does not specify
or recognize that configuration, nor do the chipset makers officially support it - it's speculation.

 

[DT4K]

There is CAS 2 DDR 266 and 333 available. But as noted, high quality RAM will usually do CAS 2 even if it is rated 2.5. But no guarantees then.
It is a good idea to get two sticks for dual-channel, but I'm not sure how adding more RAM later works if you get 2 x 256 to start. So if you think you want to go higher that 512, you may want to get one stick of 512, then add another later. Although 512 should be plenty for most uses. At least for awhile.

And true, there is no PC 3200 official standard. But if you buy PC3200, the manufacturer is guaranteeing it to run at those speeds.

 

[snidy]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
If you want to do CAS 2.0 get QUALITY RAM, Cheap RAM won't cut it.
Crucial or Samsung will - Get the PC2700 DDR333 it's better and has more overhead.

FYI - there is NO official PC3200 DDR400, the JEDEC (Electronics Certification Board) does not specify
or recognize that configuration, nor do the chipset makers officially support it - it's speculation.

so if I get the nforce2, should I get pc3500?

 

[HowFunky]

Ok so I'll go for PC2700 DDR333 memory. Anyone know any good suppliers that sell 256 strips running at CAS2 that AREN'T super expensive? Don't really wanna pay more than £120 for two strips...

 

[CaptnKirk]

There is no 'Official' JEDEC spec above PC2700. That's where the specification ends.
Above that it's manufacturer hype against no absolute requirement - EG: PC3000, PC3200, PC3500, Etc.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
There is no 'Official' JEDEC spec above PC2700. That's where the specification ends.
Above that it's manufacturer hype against no absolute requirement - EG: PC3000, PC3200, PC3500, Etc.

True, but it's not just hype. If Corsair sells PC3200 RAM, and it won't run at PC3200 speeds, they will replace it. It may not be an official spec, but it means the manufacturer is guaranteeing it to run at those speeds. If you are into overclocking, that is a consideration regardless of whether PC3200 is "official" or not.

 

[CaptnKirk]

If Corsair wants to take the risk of selling $ 25 worth of 'Hand-Picked' RAM for $ 200, good for them.
I don't think that they are getting the PRIME Samsung RAM Chipsets, as Samsung sells them themselves
as the Samsung 'True', Cost Vs. Proffit game in play here - you take the risk, to some it's woth it.

 

[Technonut]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
If Corsair wants to take the risk of selling $ 25 worth of 'Hand-Picked' RAM for $ 200, good for them.
I don't think that they are getting the PRIME Samsung RAM Chipsets, as Samsung sells them themselves
as the Samsung 'True', Cost Vs. Proffit game in play here - you take the risk, to some it's woth it.

I don't think so either..... The Corsair XMS series (except XMS2700 rev. 1.3) uses Winbond chips.

Current chips used in the XMS series:

XMS2700C2 rev 1.3 = Samsung rev D 6ns rev 2.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3000C2 rev 2.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3000 rev 2.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3200C2 rev 1.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3500C2 rev 1.1 = Winbond rev B 5ns

EDIT: If you want some good "bang for the buck" RAM without the high $$, check out This Thread

 

[CaptnKirk]

Most obious thing here is that Samsung either is selling an un-acceptable level of Chipsets to second source vendors,
or those vendors have changed their commodity purchase base to a supplier who will sell them a better set.

It is intresting to note that Samsung does manufacture their own brand of 'Advanced Spec' RAM at PC3200
and possibly at PC3500, but they are NOT sharing these chipsets with second source companies.

 

[DT4K]

My point was just that it doesn't matter if PC 3200 is an "official" standard. It still means something. It means the RAM will run at PC 3200 speeds.
Yes Corsair is expensive and there is other RAM that may be a better value.
And I don't care what chips it uses. The fact is, the Corsair XMS PC 3200 Cas 2 RAM performs very very well in many hardcore overclocked systems and has gotten very good reviews from hardware sites and many regular visitors to the OC forums here at Anandtech.
That is why I used it as an example.

This is way off-topic.

HowFunky,
I would suggest you look for DDR 333 CAS 2 from a name-brand maker. It doesn't have to be the most expensive brand.

 

[CaptnKirk]

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