2x256 PC3200 or 2x512 PC2100?

[MitaDC]

Ok I think my ram is holding my system back, so should I get 2 sticks of 256 PC3200 so I will have 1gb? Ok that means I will have 1 512mb PC2100 stick in there so would it run only at PC2100 if I had 2x256 and 1x512? So pretty much should I just get another stick of PC2100 so I have 1GB dual channel or should I go with 2x256 PC3200 so I have 512MB Dual Channel. I don't know if it was clear but here ist he q about 3 sticks, if I have 2 sticks running PC3200 dual channel and I drop my other 512mb PC2100 stick in there will it make the whole thing only run at 2100? If so would it get rid of the dual channel mode and would it be worth it? Ok ty


BTW System Specs
2000+
512mb PC2100 Corsair XMS
9600XT
Chaintech 7NJL4

Can your board and CPU support 400Mhz? If not, just get the extra PC2100 chips.

If it can, you might be better off with the PC3200 just from an upgrade standpoint. And depending on the latency of the RAM you get, you might actually notice an increase in speed even though you'd only be at half what you could be.

[MitaDC]

yes my board supports PC3200

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/p...o=13&PISNo=172

What do you recommend for a good brand with low latency? I usually go with XMS but Kingston looks good too. Lowest Latency is best right?


Like what does this mean?

Cas Latency: 2.5 8-4-4 2T

I know a lot about computers but I need to learn more obviously

[Bizkitkid2001]

If you have the PC2100 in there at the same time as hte 3200, the 3200 will only run at 2100 speeds. If your into gaming, I would go with a gig of PC2100 instead of 512mb of pc3200.

2.5 8 4 4 2T is SLOW.

Kingston HyperX has a 2 2 2 5 1T stick, which is some of the fastest on the market. Corsair XMS and OCZ should sport some similarly speedy RAM.

However, like Bizkit said, if you're gaming a lot, go with the extra PC2100 RAM instead. If you don't game a lot of don't play newer games a lot, >I'd< recommend going with the low latency PC3200. Unless you're doing a lot of big stuff, like massive photoshop projects.

Try this, while you're doing stuff you normally do, have XP's system monitor (ctrl alt dlt) open. In the performance tab, watch how much RAM you computer usually uses while you're doing whatever you normally do. I usually float around 230MB. When I play BF:V I hit 770MB. But if you don't consistantly go over 512MB, there really isn't much need to get MORE RAM. Faster RAM will net you a more noticeable improvement. Make sense?

[MitaDC]

Well I am usually running (about 4 hours a day) Americas Army which takes up 240-280mb so sometimes I am using about 400mb and then when I am playing I the game will freeze for about 2 sec at a time which is very annoying which leads me to think maybe I need some better/more ram. I do do photoshop but this rig is mainly for gaming. TY

Well, 512 of PC2100 will be less than 512 of PC3200 anyway. Sounds like you have your answer.

And if it's good RAM, you should be able to bump it up a little, FSB wise.

[MitaDC]

Well I was talking to a friend and he said that if I was overclocking it that it might be causing errors which could be causing my freezes. BTW I just remember that it is PC2700. I don't think that would be it though cuz it is running at PC2100 right now. So Dual-Channel Corsair XMS will be fine. Just got my Federal Income Tax check and State and I wanna spend it :P Maybe a new case and processor too....hmmm

TY Whir

No problem. Let us know how it turns out for you.

[MitaDC]

Just an update b4 I buy, I did what u said Whir and checked my performance, while I was playing (I actually was dead so I wsan't playing so I am sure it wasn't taking up as much ram, while u r dead u can see people and look around them so not much is involved) I only had 30mb of ram left (like I said while I was dead). So I am pretty sure I am close to maxing out while I am playing.