Ram Upgrade Question

[included]

Ok, I was wondering which was the best thing to get. My options are either a 512MB PC3200 stick, or a 1GB PC2700 stick for $30 more. I'm currently running a stick of 512MB PC3200, and I wasn't sure if I could mix 3200 and 2700 (even though they are just frequencies), or which of my two options would give me more of a boost.

Also, the sticks were labeled as 'DDR SDRAM' sticks. Does this mean they're compatible with both AMD and Intel CPUs? I run an AMD, so I know I need DDR, but I don't know much about RAM, so the whole DDR SDRAM thing looked a bit odd to me.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wahnula]

Your mainboard chipset determines the maximum amount & speed of your RAM. As a rule you can go lower, (2700 vs 3200) but won't gain any advantage from faster RAM if the chipset won't support it. Since you didn't post the mainboard specs it's hard to help.

With what you've given us I'd go with the 512 stick, since 1 GB sticks have higher latencies due the density of the chips and I NEVER go slower when given the choice. You also might have dual-channel RAM, which would ask for the same size & speed module. Go to

http://www.crucial.com

and they'll tell you if it's compatible.

Another good rule of thumb is not to scrimp on RAM, buy a name brand (Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin, OCZ). It's worth the few extra bucks, cheap RAM can really hose your machine.

In the future please be as specific as possible about the machine you're working on, not just "AMD", but the mainboard, processor speed & name etc. Good luck.

 

[cdogg]

Lots of good info in the previous post...

I just want to add that I agree with getting the 512MB stick. If you already have a 512MB stick of PC3200, then another stick at the same speed is preferred if you want them to run at 400MHz. If you got PC2700, then both sticks would drop down to 333MHz which might hurt you if your CPU supports a 400MHz FSB. Plus, you'll have a total of 1GB after the 512MB purchase which is more than enough.

Also, don't worry about Dual-Channel DDR unless you have one of the newer Athlon 64 CPU's. The Athlon XP versions didn't really need Dual-Channel since their FSB (frontside bus) was limited to 400MHz.

Finally, try either Belarc Advisor or Everest Home Edition software which are free downloads and will tell you more about your system specs. Just search for them on

http://www.google.com.

A quick method to some real basic stats too, is to go to Start -> Run, and type dxdiag.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[included]

Ok well, here's more specifics, sorry I didn't post them earlier, I was in a bit of a rush.

I have an AMD Athlon XP 2800+ 2.1GHz, with an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe mobo, and I was wondering if I should buy a 512MB stick of Kingston PC3200 RAM for $99, or a 1GB stick of Kingston PC2700 RAM for $129?

If you need any more system info, I'll be glad to tell you! Thanks for the replies! I hope these specs will help with a definite answer.

 

[cdogg]

OK, that is more info, but the previous suggestion stands.

Here's the thing. You still need to find what CPU version you have. The older Athlon XP's supported a 333MHz bus. The newer ones (Barton version) support 400MHz. Either app I posted above will show you. Or you can also go into your BIOS to check.

Knowing will determine which stick of memory you should or can buy.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884