Whos/Which Ram?

[BlackHawk]

Computer show coming up SundaySundaySunday!!!!:breakin:

I've pretty much settled on the Asus A7N8X-X with the AMD Athlon XP 2000+. So what should I look for when it comes to memory? Might only be able to afford one stick for now.

Remember, I'm only running win98 for now (as far as Windows is concerned). Unless I can hack my way around the 512 limit, not much use in getting more than that.

Thanks....I can't wait.

[Jizzy]

Get Corsair XMS or Kingston Hyper-X. PC3200.

[BlackHawk]

Originally posted by Jizzy
Get Corsair XMS or Kingston Hyper-X. PC3200.

Thanks Jizzy......but which Corsair XMS PC3200?

Too many to choose from (http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=manufactory&catalog=147&manufactory=1666&description=3200&srchFor=256MB)

Man, this stuff is involved.

[ImaginAsian]

curious why you are running win98 and not 2K or XP? driver support and stability is much better on these platforms.

corsair makes good memory. i also recommend mushkin. they are both high quality sticks.

yeah building your own is involved, but would you have it any other way :)

[fade2black]

Corsair XMS PC3200 or higher. Great stuff and overclocks like a madman :) Mushkin is good too but overpriced IMO.

[ImaginAsian]

i got 1GB of Mushkin PC3200 Level Ones for about the same price as what 1GB of Corsair XMS3200 would have cost - Mushkin has become more competitive in their pricing scheme!

[BlackHawk]

Originally posted by Digital Junkie
curious why you are running win98 and not 2K or XP? driver support and stability is much better on these platforms.

Haven't bought the 2k disk yet. Besides, I've learned to like that shade of blue.


yeah building your own is involved, but would you have it any other way :)

I'm a nervous wreck. I'm afraid I'll sneeze on the cpu.

[DrewDog]

from some of your posts it doesn't seem like your going to do any overclocking, but i could be wrong. The Corsair XMS pc 2700 will be obviously cheaper than the pc3200 and faster sticks. And if you decide to overclock it will still reach a 400MHz or close FSB speed.

As for only being able to afford one stick, you won't be able to get the DDR speeds that you can with two sticks.

And if you're really budget minded and you aren't up for paying for the faster ram, the regular corsair pc2700(not XMS series) is cheaper

So with both those in mind I'd recommend two Corsair pc 2700
$54x2 for a total of 108 @ Newegg. That way you have the DDR speeds and a reliable brand, and not a bad price either.

[BlackHawk]

Originally posted by DrewDog
from some of your posts it doesn't seem like your going to do any overclocking, but i could be wrong. The Corsair XMS pc 2700 will be obviously cheaper than the pc3200 and faster sticks. And if you decide to overclock it will still reach a 400MHz or close FSB speed.

I think I am going to go with what Digital Junkie and TJM4FUN said and go for the mobile XP2500. So, yeah. I'm going to overclock. Figure there's only one way to learn.......just do it.




As for only being able to afford one stick, you won't be able to get the DDR speeds that you can with two sticks.

I guess I'm thinking more in the long term. I'd rather go a little overbudget and get one good stick now.....another good stick in a month. The grass is starting to grow which takes a big load off of our horses feed budget. Freeing up more cash for upgrades. :D

[Case]

:lol:

You guys!

No one mentions Crucial. That's all I use. Solid, good quality, lifetime warrantee if it ever does go bad. Also, you can use their memory selector - just select your system, and Wallah! There you go!

http://www.crucial.com/

[fade2black]

IMO, if your going to overclock then don't skimp and get high quality RAM. If you do get the cheaper stuff, it is going to be the limiting factor in your overclocking efforts.

[floppybootstomp]

Crucial's good, and it actually overclocks fairly well, though not as good as the likes of Corsair, Mushkin & Kingston.

Does that motherboard support dual channel memory? Does it have four memory slots? If the answer is yes to both then I'd suggest getting two x 256Mb of PC 2700 or PC3200 to take advantage of dual memory capability. Then later you can add another two identical sticks in the other two slots.

Mentioning RAM again, I'd say most makes are OK, just avoid Geil or 'no name' generic sticks.

[Case]

Originally posted by floppybootstomp
Does that motherboard support dual channel memory? Does it have four memory slots?

Well, the box says Dual DDR400, and looking at the mobo . . . nope, three slots. one black and one blue, right next to each other, and one blue, seperated a bit from the other two . . .

[Case]

Also, the manual says you can run single or dual channel, and you can run dual channel with all three slots populated . . .

[floppybootstomp]

Thanks Case. Tricky choice then. If no upgrade planned, definitely go for 2 x 256. If upgrade to 1 Gig memory planned go for 1 x 512 stick, although overall performance will be slightly diminished without taking advantage of the dual memory capability.

edit: Case, you snuck another post in there while I was typing away, hehe ;)

[BlackHawk]

Originally posted by floppybootstomp


Does that motherboard support dual channel memory? Does it have four memory slots? If the answer is yes to both then I'd suggest getting two x 256Mb of PC 2700 or PC3200 to take advantage of dual memory capability. Then later you can add another two identical sticks in the other two slots.



Not sure on the first question but the second would be no. Only three slots for memory.

[BlackHawk]

Originally posted by floppybootstomp
Thanks Case. Tricky choice then. If no upgrade planned, definitely go for 2 x 256. If upgrade to 1 Gig memory planned go for 1 x 512 stick, although overall performance will be slightly diminished without taking advantage of the dual memory capability.

edit: Case, you snuck another post in there while I was typing away, hehe ;)

WOW, you guys are quick.

Which would be better with XP or W2K? The 1gig or the dual memory capability?

I'm so confused.:(

[floppybootstomp]

Which would be better with XP or W2K? The 1gig or the dual memory capability?

Depends entirely on your budget, really.

Ideally, two x 512Mb PC3200 right now.

If cost a factor, no plans to upgrade to 1 Gig memory, go for either 2 x 256Mb PC2700 or PC3200.

If you're you're definitely going to get more memory later, just get the 1 x 512Mb stick for now then another identical stick when you're ready and have yourself dual memory capability. The performance hit running in single memory mode won't be that great, almost negligible, in fact, in everyday usage.

[fade2black]

I run 2x256 on mine and it's fast utilizing the dual channel. I do a lot of video editing and it runs fine, so I haven't found a need for 1GB yet. As for which OS, I would go with XP, no questions asked.