4 sticks of 512MB :)

[drunknmunky]

I've heard somewhere that if you use 4 sticks of DDR400, then the memory will only run @ 200mhz. Is this correct or I am dreaming or rather having a nightmare?

EDIT: Ah ha, i saw it @ Scan!

First Question @ the bottom

Lol, I dont get the answer which the guy replied, can anyone explain this?

Answer / Solution

It's all down the DDR. 400Mhz is 200Mhz DDR ie x2. The BIOS is showing the actual FSB - set it to SPD and leave it.

[StormPC]

They don't know what their talking about. Intel chipset? Too funny.

Depending on the chipset and CPU you probably don't want to run 4x512 if you can avoid it. This is an especially bad idea on an A64 board. Use a 2x1024 kit if you just have to run 2GB, especially on an A64 that you plan to overclock a bit.

I've had reasonable performance from 4 single-sided DIMM's but 4 double-sided is a no-no on A64s.

Basically the guy you quoted was just saying to set the RAM timings to auto and SPD. He really didn't understand the question that was being asked. The guy asking the question obviously doesn't understand the BIOS settings of the K8N Neo2 and wants to know why his motherboard is running his 4 DIMMs at 200MHz instead of 400MHz. The reason is whenever you populate all four slots on a Neo2 the motherboard slows the RAM down to a speed it knows the CPU can handle. It's a safety mechanism. The memory will probably run much faster than 200MHz but the user needs to play with it to see what it will do.

[arthurleung]

Enable 2T timing is fine. I tried 4 sticks I could do 2-2-5-2 fine. Didn't try FSB though.

[Meiapaul]

2T isn't that bad tbh, the extra memory more than makes up for the slowdown of using 2T instead of 1T

[drunknmunky]

So.....should i just stick on the safe side and get this

[arthurleung]

You can't overclock a lot from those Corsair Value Select, I do have 2 sticks of those, couldn't clock my CPU high even with the memory divider.

[drunknmunky]

I dont really plan to overclock that much, I think my new system will be pretty quick anyway, 3700+ San Diego, Asus A8n-sli premium etc.

[RSX]

Try to get some with a lower CAS latendancy. maybe 2.5/2.0

[StormPC]

2T isn't that bad tbh, the extra memory more than makes up for the slowdown of using 2T instead of 1T

In most cases it is VERY bad, but many people wouldn't realize a realworld difference. Then again, many would depending on their applications. I will say with A64s it's not that critical because if you run 2T you can generally get much higher memory overclocks which tends to offset the losses incurred by running 1t, but not completely. 1T is much better if you can do it.

If you are not overclocking 1T is a must IMO.

[drunknmunky]

So, to get this clear. I shouldnt get 4x512 sticks, and I should get the 2x1024?

[StormPC]

So.....should i just stick on the safe side and get this

In what way is that the safe side? That's the cheap side. If cheap=safe to you then I guess it is. You really need to ask yourself what you will be doing, and answer honestly. It may sound impressive to have 2GB of slow memory but it's not necessarily the best way to go for everybody.

So what will you be doing and how much money do you want to spend on RAM?

[drunknmunky]

In what way is that the safe side? That's the cheap side. If cheap=safe to you then I guess it is. You really need to ask yourself what you will be doing, and answer honestly. It may sound impressive to have 2GB of slow memory but it's not necessarily the best way to go for everybody.

So what will you be doing and how much money do you want to spend on RAM?

No overclocking, so I dont need such high quality ram. And lots of gaming.

[StormPC]

No overclocking, so I dont need such high quality ram. And lots of gaming.

Gaming benefits from high performance memory as much as overclocking does, and in some cases framerates can be substantially higher. 2GB over 1GB doesn't give any FPS increase but some games which are coded improperly run smoother on 2GB (at least I am told this by a few people).

In the experience of the serious gamers I've built systems for (and request feedback from) all of them tell me that 1GB with high speeds and tight timings beats 2GB of slower RAM everytime. These guys use state-of-the-art videocards (very important, because if you don't use a super fast videocard the memory won't matter at all) and play a very wide variety of games.

I suggest 1GB of high quality RAM over 2GB of rubbish. Of course you could buy 2GB of high quality RAM, but I am told by my testers that this doesn't affect most games at all.

[drunknmunky]

Thanks for your advice.

These guys use state-of-the-art videocards (very important, because if you don't use a super fast videocard the memory won't matter at all)

Erm.....X850XT PE

I think I shall get this instead , as you said. 1GB of hi-quality stuff > 2GB of crap

This memory has been verified to operate at 200 MHz (DDR400) at aggressive 2-3-3-6 latency settings on Intel CPU platforms, and 2.5-3-3-6 on AMD platforms.

[alexander]

Mine only runs at 166mhz, 4 x 512mb PC3200 with my MSI Neo2 Platinum.

[StormPC]

Mine only runs at 166mhz, 4 x 512mb PC3200 with my MSI Neo2 Platinum.

Yes, and that lowers your bandwidth substantially. While there are a few cases where 2GB beats 1GB even with the lower speeds, those cases are extremely rare.

drunknmunky,

That Corsair should do fine.