Is 1 gig of ram enough?

RTilbury · Aug 8, 2005, 08:00 PM

I have 2x512 of Kingston ddr400 ram in my system now running in dual channel. My fsb is 800mhz on the northwood 2.8 p4. Is it right for this ram to run at 400? is that normal. Also will adding another 2x512 for a total of 2 gig give me a performance boost? I assume it would be best to get the same exact ram if I do right?

Zardon · Aug 8, 2005, 08:08 PM

Well I could answer your question with a question.

What exactly do you use your pc for........

Geminiwave · Aug 8, 2005, 09:09 PM

okay dont worry about your ram running at 400. thats fine. See really its running at 200mhz double data rate (DDR) which is EFFECTIVELY 400mhz. The same is true for your processor. Its 200mhz quad pumped which is effectively 800mhz FSB.

Now it wont hurt to add another gb of ram(and yes try to get the same type you got before) but Allan here asks a valid question. What DO you use your computer for. If theres any photoshopping and\or video editing, then sure an extra gig will be a beautiful thing. If, in actuality, you just play games then you MIGHT not see as big of a boost. The money would probably be better spent on a new graphics card.

oh nevermind you have a really good one already.

fine then a new processor.

anywho thats my 2 cents.

niceguyrichy · Aug 8, 2005, 10:15 PM

Hell if it's mostly a gaming machine shouldn't he be looking to upgrade to AMD 64 bit ahead of anything else?

RTilbury · Aug 8, 2005, 10:47 PM

Well I do use photoshop and Illustrator, but only for fun and to make images for myself. I mostly play games, listen to music, watch videos and browse the net with the pc. I use office a lot but I cant imagine that to use tons of ram.

As for getting a new cpu. Would I see a big difference going to a 3.2e prescott with the 1mb of cache? I am hoping for this current pc to last me another year to year and a half. Or would it be worth it to get the 3.4e. But dang that is such a big price difference.

anyone selling a prescott? :o)

niceguyrichy · Aug 8, 2005, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTilbury

Well I do use photoshop and Illustrator, but only for fun and to make images for myself. I mostly play games, listen to music, watch videos and browse the net with the pc. I use office a lot but I cant imagine that to use tons of ram.

As for getting a new cpu. Would I see a big difference going to a 3.2e prescott with the 1mb of cache? I am hoping for this current pc to last me another year to year and a half. Or would it be worth it to get the 3.4e. But dang that is such a big price difference.

anyone selling a prescott? :o)

See I hardly play games much at all, so my P4 does me nicely.

But all the AMD hounds on this site will probably tell you to sell current mobo & cpu and go athlon.

Much better for gaming.

mike2h · Aug 8, 2005, 11:18 PM

the 3.4e just is not worth the price. you will see a perf increase going to 3.2 prescott. i did. imo this is probably best buy for 478 socket mbs right now.
i really doubt if you will get much bang for the buck from another gig of ram. bty, how much would a another identical dual channel pair cost you?

RTilbury · Aug 8, 2005, 11:34 PM

about 100-115. I think it would be better to put that toward a new 3.2e and I could probably sell my 2.8c and get some of the money back

BTW how much do you think a 2.8c would sell for?

mike2h · Aug 8, 2005, 11:43 PM

definetly go with the proc. check pricewatch, find the lowest price & try for 60% of that. will probably have to go lower but who knows.

RTilbury · Aug 8, 2005, 11:59 PM

Do you think getting the 3.2e will make my computer last me for atleast another year?

Dyre Straits · Aug 9, 2005, 06:07 AM

I've probably got the system you're trying to acquire.

And, I love my system. However, my Kingston RAM bit the dust after only about 3 months of game playing. So, if you start getting a lot of lockups/game crashes, be sure to run MemTest on the RAM. I went to Corsair on my last trip to Fry's.

As for lasting another year: As long as things don't go bad, you should be fine. One of the best upgrades I did was to get the ATi X800 XL. Gaming has never been so nice.

RTilbury · Aug 9, 2005, 06:24 AM

how much did u get the p4 3.2 for if you dont mind me asking?

Aug 8, 2005, 08:00 PM	#1
RTilbury DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 155 Rep Power: 0	Is 1 gig of ram enough? I have 2x512 of Kingston ddr400 ram in my system now running in dual channel. My fsb is 800mhz on the northwood 2.8 p4. Is it right for this ram to run at 400? is that normal. Also will adding another 2x512 for a total of 2 gig give me a performance boost? I assume it would be best to get the same exact ram if I do right?

Aug 8, 2005, 09:09 PM	#3
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 64	okay dont worry about your ram running at 400. thats fine. See really its running at 200mhz double data rate (DDR) which is EFFECTIVELY 400mhz. The same is true for your processor. Its 200mhz quad pumped which is effectively 800mhz FSB. Now it wont hurt to add another gb of ram(and yes try to get the same type you got before) but Allan here asks a valid question. What DO you use your computer for. If theres any photoshopping and\or video editing, then sure an extra gig will be a beautiful thing. If, in actuality, you just play games then you MIGHT not see as big of a boost. The money would probably be better spent on a new graphics card. oh nevermind you have a really good one already. fine then a new processor. anywho thats my 2 cents. __________________

Aug 8, 2005, 11:18 PM	#7
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	the 3.4e just is not worth the price. you will see a perf increase going to 3.2 prescott. i did. imo this is probably best buy for 478 socket mbs right now. i really doubt if you will get much bang for the buck from another gig of ram. bty, how much would a another identical dual channel pair cost you? __________________

Aug 8, 2005, 11:43 PM	#9
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	definetly go with the proc. check pricewatch, find the lowest price & try for 60% of that. will probably have to go lower but who knows. __________________

Aug 8, 2005, 08:08 PM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Well I could answer your question with a question. What exactly do you use your pc for........

Aug 8, 2005, 10:47 PM	Thread Starter #5
RTilbury DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 155 Rep Power: 0	Well I do use photoshop and Illustrator, but only for fun and to make images for myself. I mostly play games, listen to music, watch videos and browse the net with the pc. I use office a lot but I cant imagine that to use tons of ram. As for getting a new cpu. Would I see a big difference going to a 3.2e prescott with the 1mb of cache? I am hoping for this current pc to last me another year to year and a half. Or would it be worth it to get the 3.4e. But dang that is such a big price difference. anyone selling a prescott? :o)

Aug 8, 2005, 11:34 PM	Thread Starter #8
RTilbury DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 155 Rep Power: 0	about 100-115. I think it would be better to put that toward a new 3.2e and I could probably sell my 2.8c and get some of the money back BTW how much do you think a 2.8c would sell for?

Aug 8, 2005, 11:59 PM	Thread Starter #10
RTilbury DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 155 Rep Power: 0	Do you think getting the 3.2e will make my computer last me for atleast another year?

Aug 9, 2005, 06:24 AM	Thread Starter #12
RTilbury DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 155 Rep Power: 0	how much did u get the p4 3.2 for if you dont mind me asking?