RAM timings

Skawn

Skawn

Skawn

Associate
Joined
18 Jul 2006
Posts
20
Hi folks.

I've currently got a set of paired corsair DIMMS in my PC (2x512) - I'm 99% sure the model number is TWINX1024-3200C2PT which are available on the site on this page.

I'm thinking of getting another pair but I notice that on the corsair website they're listed as 2-3-3-6 timings whereas I know that the current RAM in my machine is at 2-2-2-5 (well, according to CPUz anyway).

I don't know much about RAM timings or their impact on performance - what difference will it make having mismatched timings?
 
Skawn said:
Hi folks.

I've currently got a set of paired corsair DIMMS in my PC (2x512) - I'm 99% sure the model number is TWINX1024-3200C2PT which are available on the site on this page.

I'm thinking of getting another pair but I notice that on the corsair website they're listed as 2-3-3-6 timings whereas I know that the current RAM in my machine is at 2-2-2-5 (well, according to CPUz anyway).

I don't know much about RAM timings or their impact on performance - what difference will it make having mismatched timings?
Click to expand...

The chips used to make the 2-2-2-5 modules are no longer made, but you could pick some up second hand. Anything Winbond BH-5, BH-6 or UTT based would do.

If you're on an A64 system you would benefit from 2x1Gb over 4x512Mb, the extent depending on your core revision.

2-3-3-6 isn't bad timings wise, you probably would never notice the difference :) If you're on A64 however, with 4x512mb you'll have to run at 2T command rate, and you may be forced into running at DDR333 instead of DDR400 (this is what depends on your core version).
 
Cheers.

This is for a P4 rig so no A64 probs to worry about. To get the same 2-2-2-5 model is looking expensive. Would I be better off getting 2x1Gb sticks of matched rather than to mismatched pairs and, if I'm going to do that, is it worth getting DDR2 instead?

Was looking at the XMS2-6400C4 (800Mhz 4-4-4-12) on here.
 
Skawn said:
Cheers.

This is for a P4 rig so no A64 probs to worry about. To get the same 2-2-2-5 model is looking expensive. Would I be better off getting 2x1Gb sticks of matched rather than to mismatched pairs and, if I'm going to do that, is it worth getting DDR2 instead?

Was looking at the XMS2-6400C4 (800Mhz 4-4-4-12) on here.
Click to expand...

You can only use DDR2 if your motherboard is DDR2 based, DDR2 doesn't fit in DDR1 slots and vice versa.

4x512Mb or 2x1Gb doesn't really matter on Intel, I used to recommend 2x1Gb purely as it would hold its resale value better, but with all new systems needing DDR2 I'm not sure if this still applies.
 
Skawn said:
My mobo has DDR2 slots as well as DDR1 (and yeah, I know I can't use both at once).
Click to expand...

In that case I apologise for being simple :D

The XMS you mention is good, but the GSkill PC6400HZ clocks better and is a couple of quid cheaper :)
 
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