memory

[proton]

Hi ppl,

To get better performance while encoding and ripping I just bought a new processor and next step
is replacing my 256mb sdram, 100mhz with new memory.
Choices are: SDRAM 512mb,133mhz or DDRAM 512mb 266mhz.
DDRAM though is about 100$ more expensive!

Does anyone have experience with DDRAM? Is it much faster than
SDRAM and is it worth the extra 100$ ?

Greetz,
Freddie

[Mavrick]

In order to use faster memory, your computer/motherboard MUST support it.

If you want to know what your options are go to:

www.crucial.com


There you can lookup your computer brand or motherboard (if it's a build-your-own PC), and it will tell you what your options are ( What speed and Max memory supported). They also have good prices on RAM.


Hope this helps...

[proton]

Nopes, doesnt help. My motherboard supports DDRAM, thats not the problem, I got a 266 fsb motherboard, the question simply
is which ram should I buy, sdram or ddram, the price difference is so
high that I'd like to know how much faster ddram is and if its worth paying 100$ more.

Freddie

[Mavrick]

IMHO the DDR is worth the extra price... Crucial also gives good definitions of the different types of RAM, so you can decide for yourself.

[proton]

Thanks mate, I'll check it out

[rhegedus]

I recently built a new PC, mainly for video work. Though I've not tested my PC against a similar one with SDRAM, I don't think the type of RAM used will alter the video performance significantly.

Encoding and ripping are pretty processor intensive things (even with my processor overclocked to 2.53, it still uses 99% of system resources) so I suggest getting the fastest processor you can afford.

That said, if you want to future proof your system, I'd spend the money on DDR and just overclock a slightly slower processor (providing you have sufficient cooling!).

Rob

[jkl]

memory bus speed is not crucial.
i would rank it as follow-
1-cpu speed
2-cpu fsb
3-hard drive rpm
4-memory size
5-memory fsb

i have two 72000 rpm hard drives, a 40 gig and a 80 gig.
all my programs and os are on the 40 gig. my captures, rips, temp internet files, etc. are on the 80 gig. i find that i loose performance when my system drive goes above 50% capacity. i keep my system drive currently at about 7 gig(about 16% capacity) this setup keeps my computer pretty much working like a fresh install.

[Mavrick]

I agree with most of what yall are saying...

But building a Kick-Butt system is like building a race car. It's not just the engine that makes one car faster than the other. It a combination of the Engine, Transmission, Rear end, etc… that will determine the performance.

So the question becomes; why have a Fast Processor, 7200RPM Hard Drives, a Good Video Card, Fast FSB, then hit the brake on by installing slow memory?

If your going to do it…. Do it right… (IMHO)

[gll99]

Boards that support both sdram and ddram are designed to be backwards compatible with the older slower ram modules and not because they are just as good.

If you check P4 specs (for example) DDR ram is highly recommended to allow full use of the P4's enhanced performance. PC2700 ram supports up to 2.7 Gig of bandwidth data per second. I opted for a 512MB PC2700 DDR 333 to match my system board but to save a few bucks you could go middle of the road PC2100 (DDR266) or less.

If you already have large value sdram and your board supports both then by all means you can wait for a price drop on DDR and your system should work reasonably well. If you are buying the ram then why buy older technolgy and bottleneck a new processor from achieving its max potential?

PS

When you choose the processor also look for 512 L2 cache instead of 256.

[proton]

My PC has now an AMD XP 2000+ proc, my old memory is 100mhz SDRAM, so the Pc runs now at 12.5 x 100 = 1250mhz.
512Mb SDRAM ,133mhz costs 62 euro here in my town in Holland,
256Mb,133mhz DDR is 80 euro and 512Mb DDR is 158 euro.

Which to choose..... sigh... difficult!

At least it'll be 133mhz, so the PC will run at max. capacity of 12.5 x 133 = 1667mhz with the new memory, but will the performance be
significant faster with 512Mb DDR instead of SDRAM?

Freddie

[rhegedus]

I think the prices that you quote for RAM are very expensive. On the UK site for www.crucial.com you can buy 512Mb of DDR PC2100 for £82 (134 euro). I know the difference is not much, but it's a start.

When I bought my DDR three months ago, it was over £100 for the same item. I would try and use what RAM you already have in your existing system and wait for a few months for the price to drop a little more (the pound is a little strong at the moment....). If you can't wait then buy 512Mb instead of 256Mb - that way, if you only have 2 RAM slots on your motherboard, you won't be limiting yourself to 768Mb max.

Rob