Ram

[opivykid]

I'm looking for (around) the best RAM I can get, at the best value. Now i've read the "pinned" post, but seeing as that I don't know much of anything, I shall post it here, and hopefully others like me shall benefit. Ok, I shall start with my local Best Buy. They're advertising "Kingston" 512MB PC2100 DDR RAM for $54.99 (after a $30 mail-in rebate). Also, they have the 512MB HyperX PC4000 RAM for $119.99 (after a $10 mail-in rebate). Now, i've got two slots in my system, so theres a good chance id get 2 (either 2 PC2100's, or 1 PC4000 and a PC2100, obviously because of the $$). So thats what their advertising, but hopefully you guys could give me some other ideas on something cheaper/better. Thanks!

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by opivykid@10 November 2003 - 20:14
either 2 PC2100's, or 1 PC4000 and a PC2100
you shouldn't mix speeds...

what cpu have you got?

[3RA1N1AC]

more to the point, what RAM speeds does the motherboard support?

is PC 4000 even a real standard, or is that just PC 3200 for overclockers?

[clocker]

I'd really be leery of the stuff that the big chains sell at bargain basement prices.

Most manufacturors make different grades of the same RAM and what you find on sale for cheap is the stuff that barely meets the designated spec.
That means that the second you try to tighten up your memory timings or up the clock on your chip the RAM says sayanora.

Look into Mushkin RAM.
Their only two grades are "very good" and "kick ass superior".

[bob_the_alien]

PC4000 is a real, PC4200 is the highest I've seen so far for DDR.

And you can mix memory speeds, it won't hurt anything, but it's pointless, cuz its all ram is going to run at the slowest mems speed, Your just waisting money to mix speeds.

[Virtualbody1234]

What motherboard is this ram for?

[3RA1N1AC]

Originally posted by bob_the_alien@10 November 2003 - 12:40
PC4000 is a real, PC4200 is the highest I've seen so far for DDR.
i didn't mean "do companies sell PC 4000," i meant "do motherboard companies officially support anything higher than PC 3200" (i.e. if you buy anything higher, all you're buying is headroom for overclocking).

[opivykid]

- Ok then, i wont mix speeds, thanks for the heads-up

- Im really not too sure about the specifics, but I've got a athelon 2.13 gb processer, and i run XP, if that helps anything, and to tell you the truth, I have no idea what motherboard I have, all I know is that its fairly new, and the computer is a Compaq Presario PC

- So where exactly should I get it? Im seeing from what you people are saying, that I should steer clear away from Best Buy, which is fine by me. So if you could tell me where exactly I should get it from, and what to buy, I would be very thankful. :)

[3RA1N1AC]

use a program like CPU-Z to find out what kind of RAM you have already, then just get some more of the same speed.

[Kunal]

Originally posted by opivykid@10 November 2003 - 21:14
Compaq Presario PC
dont compaq use special ram, i know they used to :huh:

[opivykid]

Well CPU-Z told me this =

---CPU
AMD Athlon XP
Code Name - THoroughbred
Package - Socket A
Technology - 0.13(weird sign)
Voltage - 1.(varies from about 632 to 616 or lower)
Spec - AMD Athlon XP 2600+
Family - 6
Model - 8
Stepping - 1
Ext. Family - 7
Ext. Model - 8
Revision - 80

---Clocks
core speed - 2131.5 MHz
Multiplier - x16
FSB - 133.2 MHz
Bus Speed 266.4 MHz

---Motherbord
micro-star international
model - MS-6390 = 3.0
Chipset - VIA = PM266/KM266(VT8375)
Southbridge - VIA = VT8235
Sensor - Winbond = W83697HF

---BOIS
Brand - Phoenix Tech. LTD
Version - 3.09

---Memory - Infineon DDR-SDRAM PC2700 - 128 MB = :(


thats what it spit out at me. How does that look? And does that further help me out in picking out the best type of ram for my system?

[Virtualbody1234]

Yes, that helps you choose.


---Memory - Infineon DDR-SDRAM PC2700 - 128 MB

Get the same type. So that's PC2700 or some places call it 333MHz RAM.

[bigdawgfoxx]

PC2700 is very good RAM. ALSO CHEAP! 128sux so you will definintly need more. Tiger Direct Memory (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=576573&Sku=U10-3904&CatId=843) There is some ULTRA memory. I think they are good and that is a good price. If ULTRA isn't that good check this out. Tiger Direct Memory-Corsair (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=427379&Sku=C13-3904&CatId=843) There is some Corsair which is one of the best! Also tiger direct is veryyy good with returns and all of your other needs.

[opivykid]

Nice thanks man. So should I be better off getting the Corsair, or the other 1?

Edit = price does not matter

[Virtualbody1234]

Since you already have Infineon, why not get some more like it or at least in the same category.

I would consider Infineon to be a "premium" but not "ultra" quality. I would consider Corsair to be "ultra".

[clocker]

You have a Athlon 2600+ that is clocked at 2131 MHz?

Did you do that?

[opivykid]

?? Did I do what? If you mean anything technical, then nope.

[bigdawgfoxx]

I dont think he knows how to overclock lol. Yeah I would get corsair...but VB says get the same kind..he seems kinda smart to me ;)

[clocker]

Nevermind.

Brainfart.
2131 is the stock speed.
I'm getting senile and mixing up numbers.

[opivykid]

Ya I know nothing about overclocking haha. About the RAM, ya he definitly seems smart and respectable, but his reason was "why not", so I'm not too too sure what to make of it. I'm looking for the most powerful, and looking back at his post, he called the Corsair "ultra" and the other "premium", so ill take the "ultra" one over the "premium" one. All I'm worried about now is if it fits the system...

[clocker]

Originally posted by opivykid@10 November 2003 - 16:59
ya he definitly seems smart and respectable,
Well, for a Canadian, I guess.

[bigdawgfoxx]

lol lets not get in a fight here. Yes get the Corsair! ;) You can thank me for the link later ;)

[opivykid]

Haha alright thanks soooo much man, I owe you.

[3rd gen noob]

corsair is pretty expensive though, just to warn you...

it might not be worth getting corsair if you'll be using it alongside the ram you have already

the only reason for getting corsair would be for overclocking or tightening timings, which you wouldn't be able to do unless the ram you have already is good enough

just something to think about

[Virtualbody1234]

No fighting intended.

Both types will work. Corsair is better but you won't be able to take advantage of the difference if you keep the 128mb module in there too. You also won't have any advantage if you don't intend to overclock.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Ok so what exactly is tighting the timings?? and how do you do it? Dont you have to have Dual Channel for that?

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@11 November 2003 - 01:00
Ok so what exactly is tighting the timings?? and how do you do it? Dont you have to have Dual Channel for that?
basically reducing the delay in response of your ram...

you can only do it in bios, i believe

any good new ram will most likely be quoted as being "cas 2.0", however, this isn't the whole story

to get an accurate idea of the timings, you must know the full array

for instance, my ram is currently 2-2-2-5 (or 2-5-2-2 depending on naming convention)

reasonably good ram should be 2-3-3-7 or lower

the lower the better

the differences are pretty small in the real world

[bigdawgfoxx]

So if you get like some new Corsair PC4000 RAM could you make it like 1-1-1-1?? or what?

[Livy]

i dont think you can tighten them up much more than 3rd gens is.
on the topic note, i would go for the same brand as he already had, as corsair would be dearer, and he would have to get rid of his 128mb card to make full use of the corsair.

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@11 November 2003 - 01:06
So if you get like some new Corsair PC4000 RAM could you make it like 1-1-1-1?? or what?
well, i have Corsair XMS3500 ram and 2-2-2-5 is about the best i can do

some new motherboards will support 1.5-2-2-4 but this is pretty rare

2-2-2-6 or 2-2-2-5 should be about the best you'd get, depending of course on the ram module, motherboard and power supply

[bigdawgfoxx]

Oh ok well thanx for the info guys! ...Now about Corsair, what makes it better if its rated at the same speed? And why would having the 128MB stick not let the Corsair be good?

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@11 November 2003 - 01:12
Oh ok well thanx for the info guys! ...Now about Corsair, what makes it better if its rated at the same speed? And why would having the 128MB stick not let the Corsair be good?
to put it simply, if you're just going to use the ram at standard speeds and timings, corsair probably isn't the way to go...

the only real benefits from corsair are (theoretically) better timings at higher speeds

as for the other ram holding the corsair back, think of the phrase "only as strong as the weakest link"

it's no good having one ram module being lightning fast with the other being comparitively slower...both will have to run at the lower speed

[Virtualbody1234]

Now about Corsair, what makes it better if its rated at the same speed?
Higher quality modules can be pushed harder.


And why would having the 128MB stick not let the Corsair be good?
Your system cannot run faster than the slowest module.

[opivykid]

Ya I plan on taking the 128 card out, and buying 2 Corsair cards and putting them both in.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Oh well I didnt know you were putting 2 in...well get this then...If it came stock with 2700, it might even be able to handle PC3200. If it can then how much do you want? I think 512MB is plenty. PC 2700 Corsair Daul Channel (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=493103&Sku=C13-5000&CatId=1081) If you can get PC3200 (check your motherboard stats) get this PC 3200 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=493106&Sku=C13-5100&CatId=1082)....well the CAS Latency on that looks kinda high? Why is it higher then the PC2700?

[bigdawgfoxx]

Also....I was looking at the Cas Latency for the Corsair PC4000 1024MB Daul Channel 2X512...and the CAS latency for it is 3-4-4-8...why is it so slow??

[Virtualbody1234]

@opivykid. You don't really need the 2 Corsair modules. I say this because you stated earlier that you were not really technical.
"Did I do what? If you mean anything technical, then nope." That ultra RAM is only needed if you intend to overclock your system. Tweaking and customizing is quite technical.



@bigdawgfoxx. How can you go suggesting what you do? Did you check his motherboard to see if it even supports that? Also didn't you just buy some SDRAM for some old Celeron system and you didn't have any improvements? You even did buy that after I suggested that you not buy it and upgrade your motherboard first. I don't think your knowledge level is such that you could give advice about DDR PC3200 RAM.

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by Virtualbody1234@11 November 2003 - 03:31
@bigdawgfoxx. How can you go suggesting what you do? Did you check his motherboard to see if it even supports that? Also didn't you just buy some SDRAM for some old Celeron system and you didn't have any improvements? You even did buy that after I suggested that you not buy it and upgrade your motherboard first. I don't think your knowledge level is such that you could give advice about DDR PC3200 RAM.
ouch >_<

[bigdawgfoxx]

Ignoring that...If you would read my post..i said AND IF YOU CAN SUPPORT PC3200...not get it. And he said money is not an object and stuff. So I told him some good memory.

[bigdawgfoxx]

And im only 15..birthday yesterday..so dont be dawging on my knowledge. As you see ive asked alot of questions about ram so i dont know it all, dont claim to. I just know that that is good ram.

[3rd gen noob]

no advice is usually better than bad advice...happy birthday though

[bigdawgfoxx]

How is it bad advice? Corsair makes good RAM. You all said it. So i sent him some links of where to get some good ram, as he acted like money didnt matter.

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@11 November 2003 - 03:42
as he acted like money didnt matter.
take a look at the very first sentence of the first post in this thread..."I&#39;m looking for (around) the best RAM I can get, at the best value"

maybe money does matter...corsair isn&#39;t worth it unless you want to overclock or tighten timings...

[adamp2p]

hey 3rd gen noob&#33; What&#39;s up bud? I am done spamming this thread :lol:

[Virtualbody1234]

How is it bad advice?

Suggesting that he buy something even more expensive that will not give him a performance gain is not good advice.

Didn&#39;t the same happen to you with you SDRAM, bigdawgfoxx?

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by adamp2p@11 November 2003 - 03:49
hey 3rd gen noob&#33; What&#39;s up bud? I am done spamming this thread :lol:
lol, nothing much...uni getting me down though, especially maths...

how you doing?

[Virtualbody1234]

Hey adamp2p. http://www.mcbriens.net/liam/img/smilies/thmbup.gif

[bigdawgfoxx]

Originally posted by opivykid@10 November 2003 - 23:59
Ya I know nothing about overclocking haha. About the RAM, ya he definitly seems smart and respectable, but his reason was "why not", so I&#39;m not too too sure what to make of it. I&#39;m looking for the most powerful, and looking back at his post, he called the Corsair "ultra" and the other "premium", so ill take the "ultra" one over the "premium" one. All I&#39;m worried about now is if it fits the system...
That down there anddd

Nice thanks man. So should I be better off getting the Corsair, or the other 1?

Edit = price does not matter

He said that himself...yeah i dont know that much about it i have just heard corsair is the best quality and performance...and it not much more exspensive at all....so i dont see what the big deal is...hey adam....i want ur dell lol

[bigdawgfoxx]

VB...why do you change names?? then you have to start posting all over again...that sux..i was just wondering? by the way i love how you make your sig and avatar relate to your name...thats just cool lol

[adamp2p]

Hey guys&#33; It&#39;s good to see the good ol&#39; regulars on the board...it&#39;s been over a year since I&#39;ve known ya...you guys make me laugh...

and virtualbody is always spewing computer knowledge
http://www.mcbriens.net/liam/img/smilies/idea.gif
...my guru

http://www.mcbriens.net/liam/img/smilies/beerchug.gif

[adamp2p]

Originally posted by 3rd gen noob+11 November 2003 - 04:51--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (3rd gen noob &#064; 11 November 2003 - 04:51)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-adamp2p@11 November 2003 - 03:49
hey 3rd gen noob&#33; What&#39;s up bud? I am done spamming this thread :lol:
lol, nothing much...uni getting me down though, especially maths...

how you doing?[/b][/quote]
Oh yeah&#33; I am in Calc 2 right now we are doing infinite series and Macalughlin series...like this:

http://www.sosmath.com/CBB/latexrender/pictures/24d7f269970f2ada01cf5fe7f4b7d3dc.gif

http://www.sosmath.com/CBB/latexrender/pictures/f7cc0a661126a82c65799af020ba50e3.gif

http://www.sosmath.com/CBB/latexrender/pictures/8f731deb2cee8f98094e12f3b0729a2c.gif

But after this semester...I will be finished with calc...

sorry for the spam, I had to say hi to my friends on the board&#33;&#092;

Edit: and I am still only playing midnight club 2. Its too much fun I have only finished 51% of my "career"...I am still looking for fun games...thanks again for the tip B)

[opivykid]

ok then, seeing as that I don&#39;t intend to do anything technical, and you said the Corsair RAM is for that, then what should I be getting? (me confuseded).

[bigdawgfoxx]

You said money doesnt matter that much. Get Corsair, as it sounds good when you put it on klite haha, and its good reliable ram. Its not even that much more exspensive.