Upgrade to DDR3 worthwhile?

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14 Sep 2003
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Fareham, Hants
Im currently running the system in my sig below - memory is 4gb of OCZ reaper-X PC6400. I've have recently been passed some DDR3 RAM (PC3-8500) ram taken from Apples being upgraded.

Its timings are 7-7-7 and its micron stuff, so not too bad quality.

I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile upgrading or whether the difference would be so minimal to mean that the investment in a AM3 mobo wouldnt be cost effective.

Any thoughts?
 
Basically, no, it depends I can't recall what P2's were AM2 only, I know the first 920/940 were AM2+ only and wouldn't work in AM3+ boards, which would mean you'd need a new board and chip.

But in general you'll gain MAYBE 3-4% in performance IF the memory can get SIGNIFICANTLY faster than your current memory.

Same timings and same speed, ddr3 offers exactly the same performance as ddr2, even if miles faster in terms of Mhz, unless the timings can stay low performance won't increase and even if you can keep timings low and performance might go up, you'd never in a million years notice it.

Sell it to be honest, or take the advantage of cheap ddr3 and grab a better mobo and a new 555be(the majority unlock to quads) as at a guess yours is older and doesn't overclock great, the new ones hit 4Ghz with ease at nice low temps for quiet running.

I really wouldn't bother unless you enjoy building comps and getting new stuff, and nothing wrong with it if you do, thats why I have an AM3 system at the moment.
 
The main advantage from ddr2 > ddr3 is the lower power consumption and the compatibility with new mobos that support new cpus.

Faster ddr3 is becoming more of a standard where the faster performing ddr3 was a lot more expensive, but a top end ddr2 kit can still give ddr3 a run for its money.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2232/7
 
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