4X 128 DDR-400 Vs 2x 256 DDR-400 Vs 1x 512 DDR-400

[snake92069]

I am going to build this new system with the parts from my XP 2.Ghz but the memory i have is the lower end and i think its has some bad sectors so i wan't to get some new memory. I'm only adding 512mb cause i plan on upgrading again next october.

It's going to have a Intel D865GBF Board with a 3.2 HT CPU and has four Dual channel DDR Slots.

4X 128 DDR-400 Vs 2x 256 DDR-400 Vs 1x 512 DDR-400

What one should i get

[fantom2k]

@snake92069

Your best bet would be to go with 1x 512 DDR-400. This would leave the other 3 slots open for future additions of memory since you said that you were planning on upgrading agian in October.

That's my 2 cents anyway...

Later,

F2k

[snake92069]

Ya that would be good just to get the 512 stick but when i said upgrade i ment Case+CPU+Memory+and Motherboard....

My golden rule

1-8 months: buy another one
If it brakes in 9 to 14 months: its time to upgrade anyways
after 14 months: i say you should have upgraded at 14 months

MSI KT3 | XP 2000+ | 1x512mb | Apallo Geforce 4 With 64mb |

[pixel]

If you are getting a motherboard, with dual-channel memory, you need to get at least 2 matching sticks for this to work. Otherwise your P4 will be stuck at a sorry 400MHz FSB with the memory.

PC3200 memory works at 400MHz. It runs 2 cycles at 200MHz each, which makes the 400MHz speed (hence the name Double Data Rate). Dual channel slots take 2 identical sticks and run them simultaneously, giving you a speed of 800MHz (the same FSB speed as the P4 HT).

As for the amounts, whatever is cheapest. 4x128 or 2x256. I would personally choose the 2x256 because 256MB will probs be better value for money, plus it means you could upgrade to 1GHz if you really wanted.

(If you chose 2x256, and upgraded, the next sticks would have to be the exact same, so it could only be 1GHz max for you, unless you bought 2x512 sticks originally then you could add another 2x512 to take you up to 2GHz). I know you don't plan on upgrading the PC you're building, but it's just a thought.

[snake92069]

Thanks for the info

so I guess i'll go with 2X256 and run the 800 FSB.

Cool this Extreme version of this chip should run pretty fast now

[elmotheteapot]

2x 256mb (alightly more than 1x512) but faster due to dual channel. Dont bother buying a dual kit (the claim of matching stick is a marketing gimmic) just make sure u order two sticks at the same time.

[snake92069]

748PL-BLK -- 10-Bay Black/Beige ATX Case with 400w Powe 1 $28.95
256DDR 3200- Samsung -- 256MB PC-3200 DDR RAM 2 88.00
SFD-321B -- Samsung Beige 1.44MB 3.5-inch Floppy Disk D 1 $7.95
SE-ATI9200SE-128MTV ATI Radeon 9200SE 128MB DDR 8x A 1 $59.00
GEEK-PAD -- Computer Geeks Mouse Pad 1 $0.00

Its all good to go now. New system up in 6 days.....just in time for the holidays

[elmotheteapot]

snake92069
I woud stay away from the 9200se, its even worse than a 9200, which was built on and is worse than a 9000 which was built on and is worse than an 8500 an old piece of hardware, but still pretty good. I would stick with your current vid card, then in October upgrade to somehting like a 9660pro (if you can afford it ). Just my $0.02. SE editions are failed eidtion of cards, ie a 9200se is a card that came from a failed wafer of 9200 chips and runs at a lower speed.

[pixel]

For what it's worth the 9600 Pro and XT are supposed to be good, so maybe think about upgrading to something in that region in a while.

But definitely 9600's, i think the pro version is like £90 over here, so probably not much more than one hundred dollars there, and it is definitely the best card for its price.

You could maybe think of nVidia, but to be honest I prefer ATI because thats what I've mainly used and they're a doddle to set up.

As elmotheteapot said, the SE edition are failed versions of the chip and are made to run at a lot lower clock speed. e.g. the 9800 Pro has 256 bit memory, but the 9800 SE has 128 bit memory. That's half the memory band.

LOL elmotheteapot, worse than an 8500 . I have one and I'm trying to get away from it because the 8500 is pretty bad now. (9600XT instead 8) )

[rallynavvie]

If you go nVidia look at either a GeForce4 Ti4200 8x or a GeForceFX 5600 Ultra or better. The old 4200 got revamped for 8x AGP and I guess the new PCB is pretty damn fast and reliable. Dunno what prices are for it though. The 5600 Ultra is pretty competitively priced at most places, just stay away from off-brand cards.

[snake92069]

I was thinking about the GEFORCE video cards but i need one that has at least a 128mb memeory and as for the display..... i really prefare ATI over Geforce just cause i started my first PC with a 8Mb ATI Readon and i loved playing UNREAL on it.

Plus if need be i'll Tweak the drivers and force the video to run above its limits..this new case will have so many fans that It shouldn't reach more than 10 Degrees diffrent like my current case