Memory speed and performance.

[Cuppa]

I recently built myself a new system, got mostly new parts but had to skimp on memory because I was running out of money and as the old PC2700 worked in the machine I decided to use it until I could get some new PC3200. My question is how much of a performance hit is this giving me if any at all? The reason I ask is my HDD's are now getting a bit long in the tooth and I am wondering if I should upgrade them first or the RAM.

Any advice is much appreciated

MB is an Asus A8N premium (or some such)
CPU is an AMD 3700+ SD

 

[Dutch Guy]

easy question, difficult answer

The performance difference isn't that great for most applications, mostly due to the fact that the memorycontroller is on the CPU.

I think the difference is 10% at most but this can be bigger is you compare standard PC2700 to low latency (expensive) PC3200

 

[Cuppa]

I guess 10% doesnt sound like much but when running a game like WoW every little helps.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Dutch Guy]

I assume you have 1Gb of RAM, if you still have 512Mb I would deffo get 1Gb PC3200, perhaps search 2nd hand?

 

[Cuppa]

I currently have 1gb RAM and I think I will upgrade to 2GB of the crucial ballistix as it seems to have good timings, I've never had any problems with crucial RAM and I can get it a lot cheaper than anything else.

 

[Dutch Guy]

I currently have 1gb RAM and I think I will upgrade to 2GB of the crucial ballistix as it seems to have good timings, I've never had any problems with crucial RAM and I can get it a lot cheaper than anything else.

Don't get 2Gb Ballistix, have a look at the threads about Ballistix dying, there are people on their 3rd or 4th set.

I also think that it isn't for sale anymore.

 

[Cuppa]

I've just been reading those threads and they're pretty damning to be honest, which is a annoying because I could have got 2GB for about £100. Looks like I’ll have to stick my hand in my credit cards pocket and fork out for some g.skill or something similar. I suppose this leads onto another question? Which memory? I've been looking at the Crucial, G.skill and Corsair XMS at the moment. I'm not looking to overclock just want stability and reliability with some good timings.

2 options at the moment are:

Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX (2x1GB) CAS2 (MY-079-CS)

G.Skill 2GB DDR ZX PC3200 (2x1GB) CAS2 Dual Channel Kit (F1-3200PHU2-2GBZX) (MY-007-GS)

 

[Dutch Guy]

The Corsair is a good choice as it is (relatively) cheap and still offers reasonable timings of 2-3-3-6

the £100 for 2Gb Ballistix is 2nd hand from someone?

 

[Cuppa]

The Corsair is a good choice as it is (relatively) cheap and still offers reasonable timings of 2-3-3-6

the £100 for 2Gb Ballistix is 2nd hand from someone?

I know someone who can get it at cost, shame he can't get the corsair at cost