Upgrading from 2x512 to 2x1024

MattHaX · 1 May 2006 at 11:32

Hello,

I am thinking of upgrading my Crucial Ballistix 2x512 (currently running at 2-2-2-5 1T) to some Crucial 2x1024 memory, because I am constantly running low on memory on my X64 Windows system (has pretty much double memory usage compared to 32-Bit Windows).

I have seen that the 2x1024 only run at higher timings, which is probably 3-3-3-7. Could my programs (i.e. 3D apps) run noticibly slower due to the slower timings? Or should I not worry about this.

I do not overclock in any way, so I probably will not see any difference. But I would just like to make sure.

Thanks.

ted34 · 1 May 2006 at 11:35

Crucial Balistix are very unreliable and you cant buy 2gb kits of them anymore. Your best off with some low latency stuff like corsair or ocz that do 2,3,3,6.

Minstadave · 1 May 2006 at 11:43

Steer clear of the Ballistix as ted34 says, they tend to die (I know from experience).

If you're not overclocking then you'll want to go with some PC3200 with light timings for the best performance, such as:

Gskill ZX 2GB

Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX

Mushkin 2GB DDR HP3200 High Performance Dual Channel Kit

Or if you want to save a few pounds, the Geil Value 2Gb kit is excellent and will run 2.5-3-3-7 timings (tighter than the CAS 3 its rated at), which to be honest would probably be the best for you, and you can pocket the £40/£50 difference over the more expensive CAS2 rated kits.

Firegod · 1 May 2006 at 12:58

Minstadave said:
Steer clear of the Ballistix as ted34 says, they tend to die (I know from experience).

If you're not overclocking then you'll want to go with some PC3200 with light timings for the best performance, such as:

Gskill ZX 2GB

Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX

Mushkin 2GB DDR HP3200 High Performance Dual Channel Kit

Or if you want to save a few pounds, the Geil Value 2Gb kit is excellent and will run 2.5-3-3-7 timings (tighter than the CAS 3 its rated at), which to be honest would probably be the best for you, and you can pocket the £40/£50 difference over the more expensive CAS2 rated kits.

Seconded.

MattHaX · 1 May 2006 at 15:31

Very nice advice. Thank you.

MattHaX · 1 May 2006 at 15:35

Minstadave said:
Gskill ZX 2GB
Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX
Mushkin 2GB DDR HP3200 High Performance Dual Channel Kit

Thanks for the advice. Do you know if I can run any of this memory at 2-2-2-5 and 1T like I am doing now with my current memory?

welshtom · 1 May 2006 at 15:51

There are ocz kits that do 2-3-2-5 1t

They might be worth a look?

Minstadave · 1 May 2006 at 16:08

welshtom said:
There are ocz kits that do 2-3-2-5 1t

They might be worth a look?

Yup the OCZ is nice but the G.Skill 2GB DDR ZX PC3200 does the same timings and is £20 cheaper