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Old 01-20-2008, 12:22 PM   #1 (permalink)
cliffhucker
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 183
OS: XP Pro-SP2


Is it always best to user faster ram?

I am working on a friends Dell Dimension 8400 and need to add some memory.

Is there any reason not to go from the 400 to the 533 MHz or even 667 MHz (If I am not going to use the existing 400MHz modules?)

Right now it has 2 x 256MB DDR2 400 (PC2 3200)
and I was thinking of getting rid of these and going with 2 sets of 2x512 DDR2 533 (PC2 4200)

So I would have (4)512 modules.

Or would it be better to go with 2x1GB ? It is cheaper. But I always thought the performance would be better from 4x512 rather than 2x1GB (all else constant) At least for overclocking. (I can OC my CPU more on 512's than I can on 1024 modules)

If it makes no difference between 4x512 & 2x1024 then what speed?


-What speed is best?
-Are the higher speeds useless if I am not overclocking the cpu?
-Are the higher speeds less stable in my situation?
-Is the latency going to be slower for the faster speeds? (they show no latency specs for the 667)
-is it better to have the 4x512 than the 2x1gb for only $10 more?

Choice:
1) 4x512MB 533MHz ($50)
2) 2X1GB 533MHz ($39)
3) 2x1GB 667MHz ($39)


TIA
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