Memory, more, faster, or new video card?

sheriffsyn · 12-08-2004, 12:40 PM

I'm running a K8V SE Deluxe with 3x512mb ram and had no problems.

I too have been researching an upgrade and what I have found is that you can install up to 3gb of DDR333 or up to 2gb of DDR400. The board shuts down the third memory slot once it reaches 2gb of DDR400.

Does anyone have any suggestions which would be a better config to go with, more (3gb DDR333) or faster (2gb of DDR400)? Or maybe I should upgrade the video card instead. I do a fair amount of gaming and some office computing. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

**Der Rabe** · 12-08-2004, 04:15 PM

Can you explain the problem you are having on why you think you need more memory in my experience I have only 512mb and you are saying you have 1.5 gb which should be plenty of ram. My suggestion is a video card but since I dont know the problem I dont know if my suggestion would fit your problem

**Fox** · 12-08-2004, 05:10 PM

Your system looks pretty fast as it is. If you were to upgrade anything, I'd say the vid card would probably show the most difference.

**johnwill** · 12-08-2004, 05:42 PM

I'd probably be tempted to remove one of the 512mb memory modules to take advantage of the dual channel speed, and upgrade the video card. There is no reason for more than a gig of RAM for 99.9% of the applications you'll ever run.

12-08-2004, 05:56 PM

Hi,

I would certainly take a look at upgrading the video card in most circumstances and agree that over 1 gig of ram is not worth the money you spend for it. In my experience, after you get to 512, the law of diminishing returns seems to take place. The more you put in the less it increases the performance per unit.

One other thing here, you need to see if your power supply (might list brand name and wattage) can handle a faster and more powerful video card.

It might also help to tell us what present video card you have so someone who has responded can give you an idea with your rig what might be the most advantageous for you to do.

sheriffsyn · 12-09-2004, 09:55 AM

I'm not having any problems with my system. I just love tinkering with it and was considering various ways of upgrading further.

I actually hadn't considered the benefits of a dual channel approach before. It sounds like a better alternative. Do I need to buy a matched pair of memory? The three sticks I'm using now were all purchased seperately over time.

As for the vid card, it's an eVGA eGeForce FX 5500 with 128mb ddr. The power source is 450w.

sheriffsyn · 12-10-2004, 11:34 AM

After a little more research I realize why I hadn't considered Dual Channel memory config before. My processor is a 754pin Athlon 64 and none of the boards for this processor supports Dual Channel!

Looks like I'ts time to upgrade the board and processor again

**johnwill** · 12-10-2004, 03:47 PM

I recently build this system, and I equipped it with 1gig of dual channel PC3200 ECC memory. I haven't even begin to tax it's capability, and I occasionally run a number of pretty large applications.

12-08-2004, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
sheriffsyn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11 OS: Vista Ultimate 64bit SP 2	Memory, more, faster, or new video card? I'm running a K8V SE Deluxe with 3x512mb ram and had no problems. I too have been researching an upgrade and what I have found is that you can install up to 3gb of DDR333 or up to 2gb of DDR400. The board shuts down the third memory slot once it reaches 2gb of DDR400. Does anyone have any suggestions which would be a better config to go with, more (3gb DDR333) or faster (2gb of DDR400)? Or maybe I should upgrade the video card instead. I do a fair amount of gaming and some office computing. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. __________________ ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition OCZ Platinum 4x2GB DDR3 1600 EVGA GeForce GTX 295

12-08-2004, 05:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,679 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I'd probably be tempted to remove one of the 512mb memory modules to take advantage of the dual channel speed, and upgrade the video card. There is no reason for more than a gig of RAM for 99.9% of the applications you'll ever run. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-09-2004, 09:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
sheriffsyn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11 OS: Vista Ultimate 64bit SP 2	I'm not having any problems with my system. I just love tinkering with it and was considering various ways of upgrading further. I actually hadn't considered the benefits of a dual channel approach before. It sounds like a better alternative. Do I need to buy a matched pair of memory? The three sticks I'm using now were all purchased seperately over time. As for the vid card, it's an eVGA eGeForce FX 5500 with 128mb ddr. The power source is 450w. __________________ ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition OCZ Platinum 4x2GB DDR3 1600 EVGA GeForce GTX 295

12-10-2004, 11:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
sheriffsyn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11 OS: Vista Ultimate 64bit SP 2	After a little more research I realize why I hadn't considered Dual Channel memory config before. My processor is a 754pin Athlon 64 and none of the boards for this processor supports Dual Channel! Looks like I'ts time to upgrade the board and processor again __________________ ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition OCZ Platinum 4x2GB DDR3 1600 EVGA GeForce GTX 295

12-10-2004, 03:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,679 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I recently build this system, and I equipped it with 1gig of dual channel PC3200 ECC memory. I haven't even begin to tax it's capability, and I occasionally run a number of pretty large applications. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-08-2004, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Der Rabe Watching from the shadows Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Currently In Michigan Posts: 1,140 OS: XP Sp3, Vista sp1, 2003 sp2	Can you explain the problem you are having on why you think you need more memory in my experience I have only 512mb and you are saying you have 1.5 gb which should be plenty of ram. My suggestion is a video card but since I dont know the problem I dont know if my suggestion would fit your problem

12-08-2004, 05:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Your system looks pretty fast as it is. If you were to upgrade anything, I'd say the vid card would probably show the most difference.

12-08-2004, 05:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
mark3567 Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Hi, I would certainly take a look at upgrading the video card in most circumstances and agree that over 1 gig of ram is not worth the money you spend for it. In my experience, after you get to 512, the law of diminishing returns seems to take place. The more you put in the less it increases the performance per unit. One other thing here, you need to see if your power supply (might list brand name and wattage) can handle a faster and more powerful video card. It might also help to tell us what present video card you have so someone who has responded can give you an idea with your rig what might be the most advantageous for you to do.