RAM Question

Mark07 · 12-07-2005, 01:34 PM

Hi, I need to buy some RAM, and I plan to buy this one here.

The only thing I don't get is the 3-3-3 description. What does this mean? For some reason I think it is something to do with timings... Or something. Any enlightening information will be appreciated.

Also, will this be okay in my system as the only stick of RAM? Does it matter if I only have one?

Thanks very much

UpFromMyDown · 12-07-2005, 05:01 PM

I'm pretty sure the 3-3-3 description just means that the PCI connector has 3 sections, thats normal for any RAM you are installing yourself. One stick of ram vs two isn't going to make a difference as far as i know

**please** · 12-07-2005, 06:18 PM

@ Mark07
The '3-3-3' refers to the timings for the memory. Without overwhelming you with too much info, these timings are typical for value RAM. Lower numbers are better with 2-2-2 being the best available today. AMD CPUs are much more able to benefit from lower, faster timings that Intel CPUs.

If this is the only stick in your system you may benefit from getting a dual-channel kit of 2 sticks of 512mb each. This will enable your dual-channel capabilities of your chipset. Most but not all chipsets have this capability today. Only older or the most basic chipsets do not have dual-channel memory capability. If you read your motherboard manual or system specs, it should tell you. You can tell us your mobo or system make and we can tell you as well.

The benefit is good for about 15-20% memory bandwidth boost and a 5-10% overall system speed increase during memory-intensive applications.

Mark07 · 12-08-2005, 10:03 AM

Hi, thanks for the replies so far.

This RAM is for a PC I am building. I will be using this Motherboard and this Processor.

So yep, dual channel supported. If I bought 2x516mb now, what effect would adding a 1GB stick later have? Would the dual channel work better with 2x1GB? Would it be better for me to buy a 1GB stick, then upgrade when I can afford another 1GB stick, rather than buying 2x512mb first?

Thanks very much as well with the info about the timings, 3-3-3 is fine for me.

**please** · 12-08-2005, 11:16 AM

@ mark07
The best setup would be 2X1gb=2GB total, but unless you are playing new games or using Photoshop or other memory intensive programs, 2GB memory might be a bit of a luxury. The way memory prices are always falling, in a year or two, 2GB will be near the same price as 1GB today, so I would recommend 1GBkit for now(unless you have special needs as mentioned before) and upgrade in a year or two or three when many programs and system would(might) benefit from 2GB. If you have the funds, I would recommend some lower latency RAM for your AMD setup like these Corsair sticks.

Adding a third single stick later is less advantageous as it will not run in dual channel mode. So it is 2 sticks now and add 2 sticks later, either to replace or join the current sticks.

Mark07 · 12-08-2005, 04:11 PM

To be honest I am already on a tight enough budget as it is, so I think I will stick the the higher latency ones that I posted in my first post. If I ever upgrade with another pair then I will take time and make sure I can afford to spend enough to get a decent pair.

Thanks very much, really appreciated.

12-07-2005, 01:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mark07 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 92 OS: Win XP SP2	RAM Question Hi, I need to buy some RAM, and I plan to buy this one here. The only thing I don't get is the 3-3-3 description. What does this mean? For some reason I think it is something to do with timings... Or something. Any enlightening information will be appreciated. Also, will this be okay in my system as the only stick of RAM? Does it matter if I only have one? Thanks very much

12-07-2005, 06:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
please Tech Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,185 OS: WinXP SP2	@ Mark07 The '3-3-3' refers to the timings for the memory. Without overwhelming you with too much info, these timings are typical for value RAM. Lower numbers are better with 2-2-2 being the best available today. AMD CPUs are much more able to benefit from lower, faster timings that Intel CPUs. If this is the only stick in your system you may benefit from getting a dual-channel kit of 2 sticks of 512mb each. This will enable your dual-channel capabilities of your chipset. Most but not all chipsets have this capability today. Only older or the most basic chipsets do not have dual-channel memory capability. If you read your motherboard manual or system specs, it should tell you. You can tell us your mobo or system make and we can tell you as well. The benefit is good for about 15-20% memory bandwidth boost and a 5-10% overall system speed increase during memory-intensive applications. __________________ P4P800E-D:~:P4 3.0C@3.75GHz:~:Zal7000AlCu:~:OCZ4001024ELDCPER2-K@250MHz 2.5-3-3-7 WinXP SP2>2X160GB Samsung SATA ICH5R RAID1:~:2x80GB Samsung SATA Promise RAID0 ATI A-I-W X800XT~SB Audigy2 ZS~2X BenQ1620~Antec SLK3700AMB~Antec SmartPower2.0 500W Last edited by please; 12-07-2005 at 06:19 PM.

12-08-2005, 11:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
please Tech Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,185 OS: WinXP SP2	@ mark07 The best setup would be 2X1gb=2GB total, but unless you are playing new games or using Photoshop or other memory intensive programs, 2GB memory might be a bit of a luxury. The way memory prices are always falling, in a year or two, 2GB will be near the same price as 1GB today, so I would recommend 1GBkit for now(unless you have special needs as mentioned before) and upgrade in a year or two or three when many programs and system would(might) benefit from 2GB. If you have the funds, I would recommend some lower latency RAM for your AMD setup like these Corsair sticks. Adding a third single stick later is less advantageous as it will not run in dual channel mode. So it is 2 sticks now and add 2 sticks later, either to replace or join the current sticks. __________________ P4P800E-D:~:P4 3.0C@3.75GHz:~:Zal7000AlCu:~:OCZ4001024ELDCPER2-K@250MHz 2.5-3-3-7 WinXP SP2>2X160GB Samsung SATA ICH5R RAID1:~:2x80GB Samsung SATA Promise RAID0 ATI A-I-W X800XT~SB Audigy2 ZS~2X BenQ1620~Antec SLK3700AMB~Antec SmartPower2.0 500W

12-07-2005, 05:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
UpFromMyDown Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: bay area Posts: 23 OS: Win XP	I'm pretty sure the 3-3-3 description just means that the PCI connector has 3 sections, thats normal for any RAM you are installing yourself. One stick of ram vs two isn't going to make a difference as far as i know

12-08-2005, 10:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mark07 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 92 OS: Win XP SP2	Hi, thanks for the replies so far. This RAM is for a PC I am building. I will be using this Motherboard and this Processor. So yep, dual channel supported. If I bought 2x516mb now, what effect would adding a 1GB stick later have? Would the dual channel work better with 2x1GB? Would it be better for me to buy a 1GB stick, then upgrade when I can afford another 1GB stick, rather than buying 2x512mb first? Thanks very much as well with the info about the timings, 3-3-3 is fine for me.

12-08-2005, 04:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mark07 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 92 OS: Win XP SP2	To be honest I am already on a tight enough budget as it is, so I think I will stick the the higher latency ones that I posted in my first post. If I ever upgrade with another pair then I will take time and make sure I can afford to spend enough to get a decent pair. Thanks very much, really appreciated.