RAM Upgrade.................Help!!

[Syd]

As you can see from my system I am currentley running 1GB of corsair XMS 2700 DDR
I am interested in upgrading to 2GB, but I don't really understand the effect of adding the module/s on the performance

Atm i'm running dual channel, will I still be able to dual channel 3/4 modules - although I will be buying 3200+ now - will all the ram default to the lowest common denominator??

The reason for the upgrade is to speed up gaming, as lots of threads are saying this helps ,but I don't want to spend a big chunk as it will be obselete for the next upgrade - I guess when vista comes along............................Any advice would be greatly received.

[Syd]

Bump... Guys/Gals Any thoughts??????

[Lee H]

Running 2Gb i.e 4 x 512 Mb modules on an AMD64 based system would be fine and in dual channel, but note the command rate of the memory would in most cases drop from 1T to 2T. For example - with 1 Gb my memory timings were at 2-2-2-5 with a 1T command, but when I put an extra 1 Gb of memory in the system these timings changed ever so slighty.

This is not really a downgrade in performance as such as windows seems to like the extra memory and responds more fluidly when multitasking and having several things open at the same time.

Games like BF2 also like 2Gb and of course if your into video editting, audio manipulation and digital photography would also benefit as would vista once it's finally released

[Syd]

Thanks for the quick response Lee, I'm guessing I would have to run all the RAM at the 2700 speed, regardless of the speed of the new ram - or would I be better trying to overclock it closer to the speed of the new ram??

[Dark Horse]

The best plan would be to sell the 1gb of pc2700 and buy 2gb of something like corsair value select. Its actually quite good ram and is good value too as it can be had for around £100 these days.

2gb basically makes games and general browsing seem a lot more fluid. From the sounds of things it will aslo be pretty useful if Visa is to be as big a system hog as it is made out to be.

[kalniel]

Going 2gb won't make the slightest bit of difference in 99.9% of games. BF2 is probably the *only* game which benefits from it.

Don't worry about Vista yet! When it comes along then you should think about it, but getting something for it now would be a waste of money.

If you absolutely had to upgrade I'd sell your old stuff and buy either 2x512mb of value select DDR400 ram, or 2x1gb of the same stuff.

[Syd]

Going 2gb won't make the slightest bit of difference in 99.9% of games. BF2 is probably the *only* game which benefits from it.

Don't worry about Vista yet! When it comes along then you should think about it, but getting something for it now would be a waste of money.

If you absolutely had to upgrade I'd sell your old stuff and buy either 2x512mb of value select DDR400 ram, or 2x1gb of the same stuff.

I definitley do not have the URGE to upgrade my ram, I'd be happier spending the money on something else, esp if it will have no benefit, I'd just read a fe people saying that in Elder Scrolls, and various others it makes a big difference, and I don't play enough BF2 to warrant the cost right now

So thanks for the saving tip!

[Lee H]

Going 2gb won't make the slightest bit of difference in 99.9% of games. BF2 is probably the *only* game which benefits from it.

I've noticed the loading times on HL2 have slightly decreased, but yes it was mainly BF2 that seen the biggest increase in benefits and elder scrolls.

I forsee 2Gb being more popular with games like GR:AW coming out and then Rise Of Nations, and the forthcoming releases like crysis and Spore.

[Dark Horse]

Going 2gb won't make the slightest bit of difference in 99.9% of games. BF2 is probably the *only* game which benefits from it.

It may not make a difference to frame rates but I have noticed that games now play a lot more fluidly than with 1gb of ram. In general things also seem to stutter a lot less in windows and the whole experience of using the computer is nicer. Might not be something you can measure with numbers but I'm definately glad I uprgraded.

[kalniel]

Oh definately, in the future it will make more of a difference.. but the best action then is to buy in the future as well, not now!

I was actually a bit dissappointed that it doesn't make a difference for more games - even oblivion only takes up around 800mb of RAM when set to gobble up as much as possible. With a sensible windows install (and not running too much rubbish at the same time) there's plenty of room.

In a way consoles are keeping the developers honest with RAM usage.

[-ChEM-]

generally you have to relax timings

a) to run 4 dimms
b) when youre mixing different ram types in dual channel (1 of each in each channel)
c) when your overclocking, ie pc2700 @ pc3200

but as youve got good ram it should be ok, ive got a pc2700LL stick running with a pc3200LLPT stick and theyll go at 2-2-2-5 @ pc2700 or 2-3-2-6 @ pc3200 (im pretty sure theyll go tighter too but i havent bothered testing it)

you can try your 2x512mb and see how it fares on its own, then with another 2 dimms it wont be much worse than that

[Syd]

In the end I ordered 2 modules of Corsair Value 512MB 3200, is it just gonna be a case of popping it in slot 3 and 4 or will I have to change the timings - sorry, bit inexperienced in this area!!

Running in Asrock Dual sat2 MoBo

[sawyen]

I have a feeling the Asrock board wont like 4 sticks very much..

[kalniel]

In the end I ordered 2 modules of Corsair Value 512MB 3200, is it just gonna be a case of popping it in slot 3 and 4 or will I have to change the timings - sorry, bit inexperienced in this area!!

Running in Asrock Dual sat2 MoBo

The board will auto adjust the timings as needed. If you think it's setting them to ridiculous values (try using cpuZ to find out) then let us know and we can take you through it - I've got the same board.

I have a feeling the Asrock board wont like 4 sticks very much..

Actually it's dead fine with it. It runs 4 sticks at exactly the same speed and timings as two. But that's because it can't run at 1T with two either

[Syd]

The board will auto adjust the timings as needed. If you think it's setting them to ridiculous values (try using cpuZ to find out) then let us know and we can take you through it - I've got the same board.


Actually it's dead fine with it. It runs 4 sticks at exactly the same speed and timings as two. But that's because it can't run at 1T with two either

Thanks for the piece of mind Kalniel - I think it's always good to be positive and constructive