Basic memory question (possible addition to the FAQ?)

[CaptainNemo]

What kind of performance increases will most (i.e. not overclocking hardcore gaming types) users get with CAS2 (v CAS3) and/or dual channel memory (v single channel)?

I'm pondering a new machine with at least 2 gigs (possibly 3 or 4) for rendering and video etc., but will sticking in 3 or 4 standard CAS3 1GB DIMMs instead of dual channel hyper super dooper memory (can you use two channels with more than 2GB?) really hurt overall system performance that much?

The current FAQ is great, but a few comments about hype versus reality would be nice.

 

[dougyfresh]

hey man I can't believe nobody answered this post. There are a couple of threads on this that actually address that issue though. I was extremely surprised to find out that there were pretty much 0% to 1% increases in FPS from going from like 2-2-2-5 to 2.5-3-3-5 speeds. I guess this means buy the cheaper stuff. I also only read the first sentence of your post

 

[RichPLS]

But that is after game is loaded, the lower latency can mean saving 50% off boot time and considerable load times percentagewise also.
But yes, does not add many FPS to gameplay.

 

[pickxx]

hey man I can't believe nobody answered this post. There are a couple of threads on this that actually address that issue though. I was extremely surprised to find out that there were pretty much 0% to 1% increases in FPS from going from like 2-2-2-5 to 2.5-3-3-5 speeds. I guess this means buy the cheaper stuff. I also only read the first sentence of your post

Also check out what 2-2-2-5 timings at 260fsb look like....the compare to 3-4-4-10 timings of 300+fsb.

Stock...who cares? you can spend more....but you dont have to. When OC'ing timings do make a HUGE difference.

 

[dougyfresh]

i agree with rich and picx


picx sure does like to OC


hey I found what power supply i Have, it's called and x blade gaming PS or something. It isn't a name brand, but it got decent reviews and looks of good quality. 500 watts.

I'm sure I could search for some benchmarks, but since you OC your stuff you probably know: I see you have that good VX OCZ ram-- is there much of a loading time/faster fps difference in 2.5-2-2-5 at DDR400 than say 2.5-3-3-5 or 3-3-3-5 at DDR450-500?

Thanks!!!

 

[RichPLS]

My 2-gigs of Corsair XMS Pro 2-2-2-5 ain't too shabby neither!

 

[pickxx]

My 2-gigs of Corsair XMS Pro 2-2-2-5 ain't too shabby neither!

Actually they are better....because i have my RAM at higher timings right now because i am getting random lockups and my RAM has never been OC'd

I think the lockups are HDD related....

 

[pickxx]

I actually got the RAM when i needed an extra 512 for my other computer and i got a great deal on it a year ago or so....

I figured i would have upgraded to a skt939 board, and a Venice by now...but no luck....GOD DAM BILLS and my car needed a small repair so i am broke.

 

[dougyfresh]

I don't know why I thought I knew what ram you had. I thought I read it or something, but hey, does anyone know firsthand if overclocking good memory such as 2.5-2-2-5 at DDR400 to say 2.5-3-3-5 or 3-3-3-5 at DDR450-500 will improve loading times or fps increases in games?

thanks