DDR400 RAM 4x512MB or 2x1GB?

Kinyin · Dec 23, 2005, 05:15 AM

I have a few questions.
When buying RAM for gaming what should I look for?
Is it better to have four sticks of 512MB or two sticks of 1GB?
What RAM do you recommend as the best for gaming performance I can purchase for DDR400 PC3200?

Drakon · Dec 23, 2005, 05:23 AM

Well OCZ has a 2GB set for $250 with timings of 2-3-3-8, but it can run @ 2-3-25 @ 2.8v. Read that they are good oc'ers too

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merch...Unbuffered_OCZ

Kinyin · Dec 23, 2005, 05:25 AM

Are lower timing better and higher voltages better as well? Could you explain that for me?

Lowfat · Dec 23, 2005, 05:58 AM

2 X 1GB sticks for sure. You'll run in to less problems and it will run with command per clock on, which is a decent gain in performance. They also now make very good PC4000 2X1GB sets which use the Samsung UCCC chips which do up to 250-270HTT and still maintain decent timings.

Kinyin · Dec 23, 2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinyin

Are lower timing better and higher voltages better as well? Could you explain that for me?

Could someone answer that please?

**temeteus82** · Dec 23, 2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinyin

Are lower timing better and higher voltages better as well? Could you explain that for me?

Well, in general lower timings are better, but it's in the end all in the bus speed... and you need to raise voltage if you are going to OC RAM

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 24, 2005, 01:00 AM

Yeah infact a higher voltage will cause more heat problems and if your mobo can't go that high on the voltage it could mean even more problems

soloz2 · Dec 26, 2005, 11:14 PM

voltage really depends on the specific RAM IC's. Each RAM make and model is different. For example Samsung TCCD chips don't like over about 2.9v but winbound BH-5 chips won't really perform untill you give them about 3.4v.
So when you are talking about voltage it is important to first see what the reccomended voltage is for your specific memory modules.

Second, in regards to 2x1gb or 4x512 it would be better to run 2x1gb sticks as you will be able to run a 1T command rate and you will be able to OC better. Even though 2x512 sticks will generally OC much better than 1gb sticks, by running 4 sticks at once it puts more strain on the memory controller and thus limits your OC. You will most likely get a higher OC from 2 1gb DDR500 sticks than 4 512 DDR500 sticks.

If you want gaming performance then tight timings are a must. currently some of the best timings for 1gb sticks are 2-3-2-5 @ DDR400. So look for some RAM with those timings. If you want to OC you will want to look for some quality DDR500 1gb sticks. While the timings aren't as good they should run DDR400 at the tigher timings.

RAM reccomendations
g-skill 1gb DDR500 F1 series
OCZ Platinum DDR500

the OCZ is the best overclocking RAM on the market today, but it will cost almost 300 fora pair. the g-skill comes in second and only costs about 200.

Dec 23, 2005, 05:15 AM	#1
Kinyin DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	DDR400 RAM 4x512MB or 2x1GB? I have a few questions. When buying RAM for gaming what should I look for? Is it better to have four sticks of 512MB or two sticks of 1GB? What RAM do you recommend as the best for gaming performance I can purchase for DDR400 PC3200? __________________ Asus P5N32-E SLI C2D E6600 @ 3.4GHZ 2x 1G Ballistix RAM eVGA 8800GTX (1/2 SLI) eVGA 8800GTX (2/2 SLI) X-Fi Platinum M-Audio Studiophile 2.0 Watercooling /w DangerDen http://card.mygamercard.net/Kitsune1k.jpg

Dec 23, 2005, 05:25 AM	Thread Starter #3
Kinyin DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Are lower timing better and higher voltages better as well? Could you explain that for me? __________________ Asus P5N32-E SLI C2D E6600 @ 3.4GHZ 2x 1G Ballistix RAM eVGA 8800GTX (1/2 SLI) eVGA 8800GTX (2/2 SLI) X-Fi Platinum M-Audio Studiophile 2.0 Watercooling /w DangerDen http://card.mygamercard.net/Kitsune1k.jpg

Dec 23, 2005, 05:58 AM	#4
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	2 X 1GB sticks for sure. You'll run in to less problems and it will run with command per clock on, which is a decent gain in performance. They also now make very good PC4000 2X1GB sets which use the Samsung UCCC chips which do up to 250-270HTT and still maintain decent timings. __________________

Dec 26, 2005, 11:14 PM	#8
soloz2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 362 Rep Power: 0	voltage really depends on the specific RAM IC's. Each RAM make and model is different. For example Samsung TCCD chips don't like over about 2.9v but winbound BH-5 chips won't really perform untill you give them about 3.4v. So when you are talking about voltage it is important to first see what the reccomended voltage is for your specific memory modules. Second, in regards to 2x1gb or 4x512 it would be better to run 2x1gb sticks as you will be able to run a 1T command rate and you will be able to OC better. Even though 2x512 sticks will generally OC much better than 1gb sticks, by running 4 sticks at once it puts more strain on the memory controller and thus limits your OC. You will most likely get a higher OC from 2 1gb DDR500 sticks than 4 512 DDR500 sticks. If you want gaming performance then tight timings are a must. currently some of the best timings for 1gb sticks are 2-3-2-5 @ DDR400. So look for some RAM with those timings. If you want to OC you will want to look for some quality DDR500 1gb sticks. While the timings aren't as good they should run DDR400 at the tigher timings. RAM reccomendations g-skill 1gb DDR500 F1 series OCZ Platinum DDR500 the OCZ is the best overclocking RAM on the market today, but it will cost almost 300 fora pair. the g-skill comes in second and only costs about 200. __________________ [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]CPU:[/COLOR] AMD Opteron 165 CCBBE @ 2.8Ghz [/COLOR] [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]Motherboard:[/COLOR] DFI nF4 SLI-DR Expert [COLOR=red]Memory:[/COLOR] 2gb G.Skill F1-4000USU2-2 [COLOR=red]Video:[/COLOR] Asus 7900GT TOP @ 700/1700 [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-Fi Elite Pro [COLOR=red]HD:[/COLOR] 2x Seagate 250Gb RAID 0, 1 Seagate 320Gb [COLOR=red]Optical Drives:[/COLOR] Sony DVD-Rom, Plextor 16x DVD DL RW [COLOR=red]Case:[/COLOR] CM Stacker [COLOR=red]PSU:[/COLOR] PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 [COLOR=red]Cooling:[/COLOR] Custom Water [COLOR=yellow][COLOR=red]Keyboard/Mouse:[/COLOR] [/COLOR]Saitec Eclipse & Logitech MX518 with a Razer ExactMat mouse pad [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-fi > Soloz Audio Silver IC > Maxed PIMETA > Beyer DT 770 Pro/80 cans [COLOR=red]HTPC:[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]AMD 3800X2[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, G.Skill 2GB DDR400, MSI 6600GT, Haupauge PVR150, SB [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]Audigy 2ZS[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Samsung 16x DVD DL RW, Sunbeam Nuuo PSU, Antec P180 case, AC Freezer64 Pro, Viewsonic N2750w LCD HDTV Heatware eBay [/COLOR]

Dec 23, 2005, 05:23 AM	#2
Drakon DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Floatin'... Posts: 4,957 Rep Power: 0	Well OCZ has a 2GB set for $250 with timings of 2-3-3-8, but it can run @ 2-3-25 @ 2.8v. Read that they are good oc'ers too http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merch...Unbuffered_OCZ

Dec 24, 2005, 01:00 AM	#7
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	Yeah infact a higher voltage will cause more heat problems and if your mobo can't go that high on the voltage it could mean even more problems