4 GB DDR3 vs. 8 GB DDR2

[deuce_mn]

Hi,

I need to dig out an old motherboard of mine for a month or two. It's an ASUS P5KC which has dual support for DDR2 and DDR3, but the catch is that the max supported is 8 GB (4x 2GB) DDR2-1066 or 4 GB (2x 2GB) DDR3-1333 (and not at the same time). If I have to choose between 8GB of 800 mhz (if I drive to Fry's) or 8GB of 1066 mhz (if I wait for Newegg to deliver) and between 4 GB of 1333 DDR3, would the speed difference and DDR3 factor outweigh having an extra 4 GB? I can be comfortable for the time being with 8 GB, but 4 GB is going to push it for a few things I need to do (graphics intensive, but I do have a Quadro video card with 2 GB, so hopefully that could make 4 GB system memory ok. What I used in this board 7 years ago was 4GB DDR2-800.

Thanks!

 

[Warukyure]

What are you going to be doing for the next 2 months and what OS are you using? If you're using Windows 7 and you're just using your computer for "Light" gaming + Browsing + Movies/etc then the 4 GB of DDR3 is fine.

Since it's just temporary, no point in spending so much for DDR2 memory over the DDR3. As well as the DDR3 memory can be used on another/newer computer after the month or two.

 

[deuce_mn]

I'm using 64-bit Windows 7. If I stick with 4 GB of DDR3, I have some 1600 mhz on hand that I'd use. But if it's worth going with 8 GB, both options of the $85 I'd spend trying to match the old 4 GB DDR2-800 (that I used in this board previously) or the $150 I'd spend on 8 GB of 1066 would be worth the relatively small cost. I'll be doing some 3D CAD and other memory intensive graphics stuff, and also some CPU intensive VB programming.

 

[Warukyure]

If you're doing intensive stuff like that, then better to go for the 8 GB then. Since CAD itself uses a LOT of memory its better to have more, slightly slower memory than to have a less, faster memory forcing the system to stall.