4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb?

Onager1286 · 06-10-2007, 02:50 PM

Hi,

Firstly, let me say that I know 2 X 1Gb is faster. Here's a little background info: when my computer boots up, one line says this, presumably about the RAM...

Tcl: 2.5 Trcd: 3 Tras: 8 Trp: 3

I could buy another 2 X 512Mb (Corsair ValueSelect DDR400, the same as what I have now) on newegg for $65. There's another option to upgrade my system to 2 gigs of RAM, however - also on newegg is an OCZ Platinum gaming memory (2 X 1Gb) for $129. This has memory timings of 2-3-2-5 (are these numbers in the same order as what I listed above for my current memory btw?)

Since the 2 X 1Gb would be running at 1T and is faster RAM anyway, do you think this justifies the extra money? Thanks for the advice!

**linderman** · 06-10-2007, 03:28 PM

my vote would be the expense would not justify the gain

have you tried improving your current timings ?????

please give us your full system specs and are you a serious devout gamer ??

Tumbleweed36 · 06-10-2007, 04:56 PM

linderman hit it on the head. Unless you are a serious gamer, NO, it would not be worth it for the gain you would see. That is my opinion.

Onager1286 · 06-10-2007, 05:18 PM

I haven't tried improving my timings... honestly, I don't know much about memory timings, are there any good guides on how to do this? In fact, any pointers would be good.

ebackhus · 06-10-2007, 05:37 PM

Tighter timings = faster speeds accessing and sending data. In my opinion I'd leave it alone because it's a delicate thing and warranties are precious.

My PC uses 4x512 sticks to make up a total of 2GB in a dual-channel configuration. Some boards may slow the modules down if they are dual-sided (modules on both sides of the stick) when using all the slots. For this it's best to go with 2 larger sticks that are double-sided rather than 4 that are. Better, 4 single-sided sticks!

**linderman** · 06-10-2007, 06:50 PM

Ebackus is correct for systems with an AMD processor, but no for intel

the amd processor has its memory controller on the die, and thats where the chip counting gets confusing

although you can read several memory tweaking guides and may improve your speed

http://wiki.extremeoverclocking.com/...clocking_Guide

again; please post your system specs and are you a devout gamer ???? as all this memory "chasing" is only of benefit for the extreme gamer that wants to extract every frame rate per second possible ??

Onager1286 · 06-10-2007, 09:20 PM

Oops, sorry - no, I'm really not in the extreme gamer category... system specs are as follows:

DFI Lanparty UT nf4 Ultra-D
AMD Athlon X2 3800+
Radeon X1950XT
2 X 512 MB of Corsair ValueSelect DDR400 RAM (it's not DDR2)

I think those are all the important parts.. thanks again

**linderman** · 06-11-2007, 04:43 PM

your lucky; you motherboard was the only one to be able to run four sticks of ddr 400 memory at 1T timings It was some special thing DFI did with that board which made that model super special

google for overclocking (your board model here)

also google (your board model here) 3800 X2

Onager1286 · 06-12-2007, 08:46 PM

I think I heard somewhere that it was only the higher end model of my mobo that had that feature....? I forget where I read that, I suppose I could just directly email DFI though too...hmm

**speedster123** · 06-13-2007, 03:51 AM

Here is a DFI overclocker's guide, given with the respect to TSF.
http://www.diy-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28049

**linderman** · 06-13-2007, 02:13 PM

very good link speedy

06-10-2007, 02:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Onager1286 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 75 OS: XP	4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? Hi, Firstly, let me say that I know 2 X 1Gb is faster. Here's a little background info: when my computer boots up, one line says this, presumably about the RAM... Tcl: 2.5 Trcd: 3 Tras: 8 Trp: 3 I could buy another 2 X 512Mb (Corsair ValueSelect DDR400, the same as what I have now) on newegg for $65. There's another option to upgrade my system to 2 gigs of RAM, however - also on newegg is an OCZ Platinum gaming memory (2 X 1Gb) for $129. This has memory timings of 2-3-2-5 (are these numbers in the same order as what I listed above for my current memory btw?) Since the 2 X 1Gb would be running at 1T and is faster RAM anyway, do you think this justifies the extra money? Thanks for the advice!

06-10-2007, 03:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? my vote would be the expense would not justify the gain have you tried improving your current timings ????? please give us your full system specs and are you a serious devout gamer ?? __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 06-10-2007 at 03:35 PM.

06-10-2007, 04:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,647 OS: XP Professional	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? linderman hit it on the head. Unless you are a serious gamer, NO, it would not be worth it for the gain you would see. That is my opinion. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

06-10-2007, 05:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Onager1286 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 75 OS: XP	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? I haven't tried improving my timings... honestly, I don't know much about memory timings, are there any good guides on how to do this? In fact, any pointers would be good.

06-10-2007, 05:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,249 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? Tighter timings = faster speeds accessing and sending data. In my opinion I'd leave it alone because it's a delicate thing and warranties are precious. My PC uses 4x512 sticks to make up a total of 2GB in a dual-channel configuration. Some boards may slow the modules down if they are dual-sided (modules on both sides of the stick) when using all the slots. For this it's best to go with 2 larger sticks that are double-sided rather than 4 that are. Better, 4 single-sided sticks! __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-10-2007, 06:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? Ebackus is correct for systems with an AMD processor, but no for intel the amd processor has its memory controller on the die, and thats where the chip counting gets confusing although you can read several memory tweaking guides and may improve your speed http://wiki.extremeoverclocking.com/...clocking_Guide again; please post your system specs and are you a devout gamer ???? as all this memory "chasing" is only of benefit for the extreme gamer that wants to extract every frame rate per second possible ?? __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

06-10-2007, 09:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Onager1286 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 75 OS: XP	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? Oops, sorry - no, I'm really not in the extreme gamer category... system specs are as follows: DFI Lanparty UT nf4 Ultra-D AMD Athlon X2 3800+ Radeon X1950XT 2 X 512 MB of Corsair ValueSelect DDR400 RAM (it's not DDR2) I think those are all the important parts.. thanks again

06-11-2007, 04:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? your lucky; you motherboard was the only one to be able to run four sticks of ddr 400 memory at 1T timings It was some special thing DFI did with that board which made that model super special google for overclocking (your board model here) also google (your board model here) 3800 X2 __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

06-12-2007, 08:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Onager1286 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 75 OS: XP	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? I think I heard somewhere that it was only the higher end model of my mobo that had that feature....? I forget where I read that, I suppose I could just directly email DFI though too...hmm

06-13-2007, 03:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,216 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? Here is a DFI overclocker's guide, given with the respect to TSF. http://www.diy-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28049 __________________

06-13-2007, 02:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: 4 X 512Mb or 2 X 1Gb? very good link speedy __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial