NF2 dual channel memory Q

Kenshinw95 · Sep 17, 2003, 07:16 AM

My friend's looking into a new Mobo. An Asus A7N8X like mine to be exact.

Although, I wonder which I should recommend to him for memory. I've got 2 256MB PC2100 DDR ram sticks in dual channel mode. Since he's starting off new. Should he follow my example, or go for a single 512MB DDR ram stick?
Which would provide better performance?

Which PC rating? 2700, cause his "new to him" CPU's only going to be a 133MHZ FSB one? I thought I'd ask before recommending something.

shuki · Sep 17, 2003, 08:19 AM

dual channel for sure so 2x256.

and on the speed, is he going to OC at all? if not, then no need in buying the higher end stuff to just run under clocked

DriveEuro · Sep 17, 2003, 03:28 PM

And again..... Shuki hates me for this..... But I say 1 stick of 512mb cuz you'll clock it faster and with tighter timings than 2x256. Remember dual channel is just about a 5% increase in bandwidth. I stick of ram will put out more bandwidth than the 2.

chissafi · Sep 17, 2003, 05:40 PM

a 5% increase? I'm very confused, however they said SATA was to be faster, but its jsut as fast (for now)

DriveEuro · Sep 17, 2003, 08:08 PM

SATA is for hard drives... we weren't even talking about hard drives. But for the ram, considering that you are just running PC2100 I can see that neither of you are hardcore overclockers (no offense)... I thought that you might be in the market for something like PC3500 or PC3700.

What speed ram is he interested in? PC2700? PC3200?

Kenshinw95 · Sep 17, 2003, 08:49 PM

I got PC2100 'cause it was cheaper. Especially since I was buying a CPU, and Mobo at the same time. And on a budget, as well. So I needed to cut corners somewhere.

Well, PC2700.. To give him some elbow room.

Personally.. Should I set the final memory setting for 2.5T instead of 2T?

dipstick · Sep 17, 2003, 09:00 PM

I'd go with one stick of ram for now and save up for another later

Also the lower the timings the better

DriveEuro · Sep 18, 2003, 01:18 AM

It'll cost the same amount of money for 1x512 and 2x256.... But most likely he's buying bargain sticks I assume. If he is buying bargain sticks then go for 2x256 cuz they most likely won't clock well. But if getting a popular overclocking brand then go with the 1x512

Bane the ECF · Sep 18, 2003, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DriveEuro
But most likely he's buying bargain sticks I assume. If he is buying bargain sticks then go for 2x256 cuz they most likely won't clock well. But if getting a popular overclocking brand then go with the 1x512

Err, isn't that reversed??? If you're getting cheap RAM you want to go for only one stick. If you're going for top quality RAM, go for two factory-matched pairs.

Bane

DriveEuro · Sep 18, 2003, 04:22 AM

Nah, the better ram overclocks further..... You'll get a better overclock with 1 single quality brand stick of 512mb ram. Now as for cheap ram that doesn't overclock well, get 2x256 cuz the dual channel will give you a nice performance increase from ram that you can't overclock much.

~~craig588~~ · Sep 18, 2003, 04:25 AM

I share the same view as Drive. In dual channel mode I only could reach 199MHz (With PC3200 ram) and in single channel (With PC3500) I reach 221MHz.

I think it acctually has to do with the memory controller and not the ram, because if I put my pc3500 on the other memory controller it will also only do 199MHz.

Kenshinw95 · Sep 18, 2003, 06:47 AM

Definately a tight budget. Just wonder if I should sell him my 2 256MB sticks, and use that to get myself a quality 512 stick.

Maybe Mushkin, or Kingston.. Is their HyperX worth it?

I've read about people on here selling their current gear to help them get new gear many times. Seeing as how he's upgrading from a PIII 455MHZ with 64MB PC66 ram, and a 16MB AGP TNT2 M64. It'd STILL be a quantum leap forward even if I sold him my current memory.

Except for the video card.. but.. I don't have any spares, and the battle between Nvidia, and ATI's cards seems to change victors every day. I don't want to be accused of forcing him to get a POS video card.

On a related note, about timing.. I've changed my settings to 8-3-3-2, and Whoa..

My computer was sped up quite nicely. Tested it with many game based benchmarks like UT2k3, Gunmetal, X2: The Threat, and Aquamark3. Those are based on their respective game engines, right? Not just some hypothetical one like 3Dmark, right?

Also.. Kinda off topic though.. I did some experimenting, and raised my FSB to 145MHz with the memory still at 133MHz with the modified memory setting. It resulted in yet another nice gain in performance/speed.

Although.. I'm only using the fan that came with my 1800+. It's not pushing it that much? The fan that comes with the chip can handle that, right?

Bane the ECF · Sep 19, 2003, 04:33 AM

Keep your RAM and CPU at the same FSB speed. Your system will benefit more that way, even if it's at an overall slower FSB.

Sep 17, 2003, 07:16 AM	#1
Kenshinw95 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: N. E. Ohio Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	NF2 dual channel memory Q My friend's looking into a new Mobo. An Asus A7N8X like mine to be exact. Although, I wonder which I should recommend to him for memory. I've got 2 256MB PC2100 DDR ram sticks in dual channel mode. Since he's starting off new. Should he follow my example, or go for a single 512MB DDR ram stick? Which would provide better performance? Which PC rating? 2700, cause his "new to him" CPU's only going to be a 133MHZ FSB one? I thought I'd ask before recommending something.

Sep 17, 2003, 03:28 PM	#3
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	And again..... Shuki hates me for this..... But I say 1 stick of 512mb cuz you'll clock it faster and with tighter timings than 2x256. Remember dual channel is just about a 5% increase in bandwidth. I stick of ram will put out more bandwidth than the 2. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Sep 17, 2003, 08:08 PM	#5
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	SATA is for hard drives... we weren't even talking about hard drives. But for the ram, considering that you are just running PC2100 I can see that neither of you are hardcore overclockers (no offense)... I thought that you might be in the market for something like PC3500 or PC3700. What speed ram is he interested in? PC2700? PC3200? __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Sep 18, 2003, 01:18 AM	#8
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	It'll cost the same amount of money for 1x512 and 2x256.... But most likely he's buying bargain sticks I assume. If he is buying bargain sticks then go for 2x256 cuz they most likely won't clock well. But if getting a popular overclocking brand then go with the 1x512 __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Sep 18, 2003, 04:22 AM	#10
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Nah, the better ram overclocks further..... You'll get a better overclock with 1 single quality brand stick of 512mb ram. Now as for cheap ram that doesn't overclock well, get 2x256 cuz the dual channel will give you a nice performance increase from ram that you can't overclock much. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Sep 17, 2003, 08:19 AM	#2
shuki DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: in the hidden place Posts: 1,975 Rep Power: 0	dual channel for sure so 2x256. and on the speed, is he going to OC at all? if not, then no need in buying the higher end stuff to just run under clocked

Sep 17, 2003, 05:40 PM	#4
chissafi DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	a 5% increase? I'm very confused, however they said SATA was to be faster, but its jsut as fast (for now)

Sep 17, 2003, 08:49 PM	Thread Starter #6
Kenshinw95 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: N. E. Ohio Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	I got PC2100 'cause it was cheaper. Especially since I was buying a CPU, and Mobo at the same time. And on a budget, as well. So I needed to cut corners somewhere. Well, PC2700.. To give him some elbow room. Personally.. Should I set the final memory setting for 2.5T instead of 2T?

Sep 17, 2003, 09:00 PM	#7
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I'd go with one stick of ram for now and save up for another later Also the lower the timings the better

Sep 18, 2003, 04:25 AM	#11
~~craig588~~ Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In clothing Posts: 3,510 Rep Power: 0	I share the same view as Drive. In dual channel mode I only could reach 199MHz (With PC3200 ram) and in single channel (With PC3500) I reach 221MHz. I think it acctually has to do with the memory controller and not the ram, because if I put my pc3500 on the other memory controller it will also only do 199MHz.

Sep 18, 2003, 06:47 AM	Thread Starter #12
Kenshinw95 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: N. E. Ohio Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	Definately a tight budget. Just wonder if I should sell him my 2 256MB sticks, and use that to get myself a quality 512 stick. Maybe Mushkin, or Kingston.. Is their HyperX worth it? I've read about people on here selling their current gear to help them get new gear many times. Seeing as how he's upgrading from a PIII 455MHZ with 64MB PC66 ram, and a 16MB AGP TNT2 M64. It'd STILL be a quantum leap forward even if I sold him my current memory. Except for the video card.. but.. I don't have any spares, and the battle between Nvidia, and ATI's cards seems to change victors every day. I don't want to be accused of forcing him to get a POS video card. On a related note, about timing.. I've changed my settings to 8-3-3-2, and Whoa.. My computer was sped up quite nicely. Tested it with many game based benchmarks like UT2k3, Gunmetal, X2: The Threat, and Aquamark3. Those are based on their respective game engines, right? Not just some hypothetical one like 3Dmark, right? Also.. Kinda off topic though.. I did some experimenting, and raised my FSB to 145MHz with the memory still at 133MHz with the modified memory setting. It resulted in yet another nice gain in performance/speed. Although.. I'm only using the fan that came with my 1800+. It's not pushing it that much? The fan that comes with the chip can handle that, right?

Sep 19, 2003, 04:33 AM	#13
Bane the ECF DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 220 Rep Power: 0	Keep your RAM and CPU at the same FSB speed. Your system will benefit more that way, even if it's at an overall slower FSB. __________________ ASUS K8N-E Motherboard Athlon 64 3200+ 10x200MHz Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Heatsink & Fan 2x512MB Mushkin Black Level 2 PC-3500 ATi Radeon X800 SE 256MB 100GB Western Digital SE 8MB 7200RPM 320GB Seagate 8MB 7200 RPM Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Sony 19" E400 Trinitron Thermaltake Xaser III V2000A All-Aluminum Logitech Z-5300 5.1 Surround Sound