Should I buy this RAM? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

strife · 05-14-2004, 07:49 AM

I want to buy some new ram and Best Buy has a good deal going on and I was wondering if it would work on my comp.

Kingston Technology HyperX 512MB PC4000 DDR DIMM Memory

Model: KHX4000/512

Quote:

Improve your PC's speed and performance with 512MB DDR memory and enjoy blazing, top-notch gaming, plus faster multitasking and Web browsing.

http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click...uct&bfinfo=999

It's 125 - $25 MIR. I may go pick up two sticks tonight if this gets responded to quick enough.

My comp:
asus a7n8x-e deluxe mobo
Win XP PRO
Athalon 2800+ XP
512 ram right now not sure what brand though. probably pc2700
Ati Radeon 9600 XT

I wanted to pick up a stick or two of this stuff but not sure if it is a good buy/and or work with my comp. Thanks for everyones input!

If I shouldn't get this, what would you reccomend in its place?

Crack · 05-14-2004, 10:12 AM

Sure, why the hell not, great RAM, great price... buy me a couple sticks too...

Paq · 05-14-2004, 10:54 AM

what if you have 2 sticks of 256MB pc3200 ram on a P4 2.8 with HT, 800fsb, and you add 2 sticks of 512MB pc4000 ram. would there be any probablems from running the different speed ram?

Lasereth · 05-14-2004, 11:02 AM

Running the new RAM out of synch with the FSB of your processor and out of synch with the old RAM will cause issues. Loading times might improve in games, but I wouldn't be surprised if your system became unstable after adding the faster RAM. Your old RAM is 333 MHz and the FSB of your processor is 333 MHz. Putting 500 MHz (PC4000) RAM in your PC would screw up the timings. It would clock the 500 MHz RAM down to 333 MHz. That much of a clock-down is pushing it.

The only reason to buy RAM over PC3200 right now is if you're gonna overclock. No processor on the market has a clock speed of more than 200 MHz, so no more than PC3200 RAM is needed (unless you're gonna overclock).

I'd try to find some good PC2700 for sale. Good luck!

-Lasereth

strife · 05-14-2004, 11:27 AM

Ok, thanks a bunch!

I'll look for some pc2700...Anyone have a brand preference?

On a side note...Will an increase in RAM make a notable difference in speediness? My dad keeps telling me to have 1.5g of RAM, and it'll be night and day from just 512. Is it worth putting that much RAM in?

Lasereth · 05-14-2004, 11:39 AM

I wouldn't put over 1 GB. Over 1 GB is known to slow down some system applications, particularly games (in some cases). Over 1 GB is mainly for video/picture editing programs.

The difference between 512 MB and 768 MB is HUGE in games. After going to 1 GB in games, it gets better, but not as much as from 512 to 768. If you're not gonna play games, it's not worth it. I assume you do play games!

So basically, if you play games, it's worth going to 1 GB. 768 MB is easily enough, and 512 is playable (it's what I use). 768 MB is just enough to load levels much faster, and 1 GB is the max you'd use for gaming. I'd hit up another 512 stick.

What brands? I'd try to match up with the same brand you're using right now. If you can't find that out, then I'd go with Kingston, Crucial, Mushkin, Geil, or Corsair. If I had to choose one company, I'd go with Corsair. Good luck!

-Lasereth

Dragonlich · 05-14-2004, 06:47 PM

What you need to remember, is that the A7N8X deluxe has dual channel memory support. This means you'll get more speed if you use two identical memory dimms (or as identical as possible, google around for more details).

The board has THREE memory slots, of which you can use TWO for dual channel. If you have three memory banks installed, the thing will revert to single-channel mode, which will cost you the (up to) 10% speed increase.

In short: if you have one stick of 512 already, you might want to try and find out what brand it is (somehow), so you can get another one (1 only). On the other hand, the speed increase of 10% might not be that important, compared to the speed increase of (say) another 512 megs extra above the 2 x 512 of that first option.

Oh, and corsair is a good choice indeed, although the other brands Lasereth mentions are quite good too - all top-notch brands. I have a lot of personal (and positive) experience with corsair.

/sells these boards in his computer store...

strife · 05-14-2004, 09:47 PM

1 GiG it is! Thanks for everyone's help, I really appreciate it

05-14-2004, 10:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Crack Misanthropic Location: Ohio! yay!	Sure, why the hell not, great RAM, great price... buy me a couple sticks too... __________________ Crack, you and I are long overdue for a vicious bout of mansex. ~Halx

05-14-2004, 10:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
Paq Junkie Location: South Carolina	what if you have 2 sticks of 256MB pc3200 ram on a P4 2.8 with HT, 800fsb, and you add 2 sticks of 512MB pc4000 ram. would there be any probablems from running the different speed ram? __________________ Live. Chris

05-14-2004, 11:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Running the new RAM out of synch with the FSB of your processor and out of synch with the old RAM will cause issues. Loading times might improve in games, but I wouldn't be surprised if your system became unstable after adding the faster RAM. Your old RAM is 333 MHz and the FSB of your processor is 333 MHz. Putting 500 MHz (PC4000) RAM in your PC would screw up the timings. It would clock the 500 MHz RAM down to 333 MHz. That much of a clock-down is pushing it. The only reason to buy RAM over PC3200 right now is if you're gonna overclock. No processor on the market has a clock speed of more than 200 MHz, so no more than PC3200 RAM is needed (unless you're gonna overclock). I'd try to find some good PC2700 for sale. Good luck! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

05-14-2004, 11:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
strife Insane Location: Chi-Town	Ok, thanks a bunch! I'll look for some pc2700...Anyone have a brand preference? On a side note...Will an increase in RAM make a notable difference in speediness? My dad keeps telling me to have 1.5g of RAM, and it'll be night and day from just 512. Is it worth putting that much RAM in? __________________ You are what you love, not what loves you. strife Last edited by strife; 05-14-2004 at 11:30 AM..

05-14-2004, 11:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I wouldn't put over 1 GB. Over 1 GB is known to slow down some system applications, particularly games (in some cases). Over 1 GB is mainly for video/picture editing programs. The difference between 512 MB and 768 MB is HUGE in games. After going to 1 GB in games, it gets better, but not as much as from 512 to 768. If you're not gonna play games, it's not worth it. I assume you do play games! So basically, if you play games, it's worth going to 1 GB. 768 MB is easily enough, and 512 is playable (it's what I use). 768 MB is just enough to load levels much faster, and 1 GB is the max you'd use for gaming. I'd hit up another 512 stick. What brands? I'd try to match up with the same brand you're using right now. If you can't find that out, then I'd go with Kingston, Crucial, Mushkin, Geil, or Corsair. If I had to choose one company, I'd go with Corsair. Good luck! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

05-14-2004, 06:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	What you need to remember, is that the A7N8X deluxe has dual channel memory support. This means you'll get more speed if you use two identical memory dimms (or as identical as possible, google around for more details). The board has THREE memory slots, of which you can use TWO for dual channel. If you have three memory banks installed, the thing will revert to single-channel mode, which will cost you the (up to) 10% speed increase. In short: if you have one stick of 512 already, you might want to try and find out what brand it is (somehow), so you can get another one (1 only). On the other hand, the speed increase of 10% might not be that important, compared to the speed increase of (say) another 512 megs extra above the 2 x 512 of that first option. Oh, and corsair is a good choice indeed, although the other brands Lasereth mentions are quite good too - all top-notch brands. I have a lot of personal (and positive) experience with corsair. /sells these boards in his computer store...

05-14-2004, 09:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
strife Insane Location: Chi-Town	1 GiG it is! Thanks for everyone's help, I really appreciate it __________________ You are what you love, not what loves you. strife