Memory selection confusion

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

I want to populate my new system -- (the case, MBoard, CPU (PENTIUM P4 3.0
GHZ), etc, are on the way) -- with some 1.5 GB of Ram. I went to
Kingston.com and based on my Motherboard, the following is their short list
of candidates. The long list is this link:
http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=+14736+&distributor=0&submit1=Search

Aside from the "kits" (I'm guessing that they bundle two 128's for a 256
kit), the MHz spec is the main difference as you go down the list. If these
are all candidates, what logic should I use to choose? Yes, I want the
fastest performance as the bottom line -- but I don't want to pay for a
large number that doesn't get used either.

Any tips for this novice?
Len Miller

The short list:
KVR266X64C25/512 512MB 266MHz DDR PC2100 DIMM CL2.5 $133.00
KVR266X64C25/1G 1GB 266MHz DDR PC2100 DIMM CL2.5 $288.00
KVR333X64C25/512 512MB 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $135.00
KVR333X64C25/1G 1GB 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $298.00
KVR333X64C25K2/512 512MB Kit 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $138.00
KVR333X64C25K2/1G 1GB Kit 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $269.00
KVR333X72C25/512 512MB 333MHz DDR PC2700 ECC DIMM CL2.5 $154.00
KVR333X72C25/1G 1GB 333MHz DDR PC2700 ECC DIMM CL2.5 $335.00
KVR400X64C3A/512 512MB 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $137.00
KVR400X64C3A/1G 1GB 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $417.00
KVR400X64C3AK2/512 512MB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $140.00
KVR400X64C3AK2/1G 1GB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $274.00
KVR400X64C3AK2/2G 2GB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $834.00
KVR400X72C3A/512 512MB 400MHz DDR PC3200 ECC DIMM 3-3-3 $157.00
KVR400X72C3A/1G 1GB 400MHz DDR PC3200 ECC DIMM 3-3-3 $597.00

--
Eradicate threes in my NOSPAM address

 

[Jim]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Assuming your P4 3.0GHz is 800MHz (200MHz clock), most likely is, you want
to at least pair that with PC3200 (also 200MHz clock) since synchronous
operation is ideal (1:1 in CPU/DRAM ratio terms). If you intend to
overclock your CPU (or even suspect you might, even a little), it's always
better to buy a little faster memory (e.g., PC3500, PC3700) to give you some
headroom. But if you really just want a "spec'd" configuration, PC3200 is
the one.

How *much* you need is far more subjective. More is always better, up to a
point. That which you never use is a complete waste. I personally only
play a few low-key games, mostly office apps, internet browsing, a little
photo editing at times, convert CDs to mp3, burn CD/DVD, etc., not really
demanding, in fact, only have a GeForce4 Ti4200. My worst case is perhaps
570MB. So I have 1GB of PC3200 (w/ my P4 2.6GHz "C" 800MHz), which allows
me to disable the paging file. My advice is to go w/ 1GB of PC3200, and add
more later only if needed. You'll probably want to buy in pairs anyway,
particularly if the mobo is dual channel. Prices will drop eventually too.

I've managed to overclock the CPU FSB and memory to 218MHz, less than 10%,
so I have managed to give the system a small "kick" to improve performance.
And my use of Kingston KHX3200AK2/1G PC3200 has been the limiting factor, it
topped out around 218MH (even though my CPU FSB could have gone higher).
That's why I mentioned that if you intend to OC, a little more memory speed
can help. The KVR models are "value ram", meaning these are unlikely to OC
much at all, maybe 5% or less.

So if you want something from the value ram list (KVR), I'd recommend at
least 1GB of PC3200, CL 2.5 much preferred. Unless it's a *really* good
deal, stay away from CL3, that's a little too loose on timings. Since the
value ram seems to not include CL2, the point is moot, but if you can/do
find a deal on CL2, that's the best stuff. Lower CL ratings are better.

Beware that DDR prices are INSANE right now! I bought my Kingston HyperX
PC3200 1GB back at the end of Dec 03 for $176, Kingston direct, no tax, no
shipping. That same memory is now running $286, and that's the promo!!!
Regularly $337!

http://www.ec.kingston.com/shop/partsinfo.asp?promo=boost&ktcpartno=KHX3200AK2/1G

Now consider the following, equivalent value ram (selected from your list):

> KVR400X64C3AK2/1G 1GB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $274.00

Heck, the Kingston HyperX is $2 cheaper!, and better stuff anyway (CL2, will
run 2-3-2-5-1 up to 218MHz, at least for me). To add even more confusion,
Kingston HyperX PC4000 was selling only 10 days ago or so for $233 on promo
(a pretty good deal consider where we are now), now it's $325 on promo!
Incredible, only 10 days ago you could have gotten Kingston HyperX PC4000
for $41 *less* than Kingston "value ram" (of the same amount and speed but
worse timings) is selling today!!!

http://www.ec.kingston.com/shop/partsinfo.asp?promo=boost&ktcpartno=KHX4000K2/1G

So if you want to save money, and get a good deal, you really need to shop
around, and if you have the patience, wait it out. Deals are popping up
here and there, but it takes patience. For example, Circuit City is
currently selling single sticks of Kingston value ram PC3200 512MB for $93,
plus a $23 rebates, a VERY good deal:

http://www.circuitcity.com/rebatedetail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&oid=87386&catoid=-10263&qp=0

Rebate is limited to one stick, so 1GB is 2 x $93 ($186) + tax (~$10) - $23
rebate = $173 shipped. Not bad, but it is CL 3-3-3 I believe.

My advice is to take your time, don't jump on the first thing, it's hard to
imagine DDR can go much higher, people will (if they already haven't) stop
buying and wait. Therefore, monitoring of Kingston direct, or keeping an
eye on the bargain hunting sites is your best bet, deals will come to those
who wait . And it should be obvious, just because it says "value ram"
doesn't mean it's a good or better deal!

HTH

Jim


"Fatfreek" <mil3le3rlr@ark3ans3as.net> wrote in message
news:4PydnSl2WYCrduDdRVn-tw@arkansas.net...
> I want to populate my new system -- (the case, MBoard, CPU (PENTIUM P4 3.0
> GHZ), etc, are on the way) -- with some 1.5 GB of Ram. I went to
> Kingston.com and based on my Motherboard, the following is their short
list
> of candidates. The long list is this link:
>
http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=+14736+&distributor=0&submit1=Search
>
> Aside from the "kits" (I'm guessing that they bundle two 128's for a 256
> kit), the MHz spec is the main difference as you go down the list. If
these
> are all candidates, what logic should I use to choose? Yes, I want the
> fastest performance as the bottom line -- but I don't want to pay for a
> large number that doesn't get used either.
>
> Any tips for this novice?
> Len Miller
>
> The short list:
> KVR266X64C25/512 512MB 266MHz DDR PC2100 DIMM CL2.5 $133.00
> KVR266X64C25/1G 1GB 266MHz DDR PC2100 DIMM CL2.5 $288.00
> KVR333X64C25/512 512MB 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $135.00
> KVR333X64C25/1G 1GB 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $298.00
> KVR333X64C25K2/512 512MB Kit 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $138.00
> KVR333X64C25K2/1G 1GB Kit 333MHz DDR PC2700 DIMM CL2.5 $269.00
> KVR333X72C25/512 512MB 333MHz DDR PC2700 ECC DIMM CL2.5 $154.00
> KVR333X72C25/1G 1GB 333MHz DDR PC2700 ECC DIMM CL2.5 $335.00
> KVR400X64C3A/512 512MB 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $137.00
> KVR400X64C3A/1G 1GB 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $417.00
> KVR400X64C3AK2/512 512MB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $140.00
> KVR400X64C3AK2/1G 1GB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $274.00
> KVR400X64C3AK2/2G 2GB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $834.00
> KVR400X72C3A/512 512MB 400MHz DDR PC3200 ECC DIMM 3-3-3 $157.00
> KVR400X72C3A/1G 1GB 400MHz DDR PC3200 ECC DIMM 3-3-3 $597.00
>
> --
> Eradicate threes in my NOSPAM address
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Jim,

Thanks for those wonderfully detailed tips. Sounds like you've been down
this road before and more than once. It never dawned on me as I've been
price snooping that they were a whole lot cheaper not long ago.
As to the overclocking, I think I'll stick to the spec configuration --
leaning to being conservative.

Len

"Jim" <null@null.com> wrote in message
news:X%mfc.3030$Yf6.2841@fed1read07...
> Assuming your P4 3.0GHz is 800MHz (200MHz clock), most likely is, you want
> to at least pair that with PC3200 (also 200MHz clock) since synchronous
> operation is ideal (1:1 in CPU/DRAM ratio terms). If you intend to
> overclock your CPU (or even suspect you might, even a little), it's always
> better to buy a little faster memory (e.g., PC3500, PC3700) to give you
some
> headroom. But if you really just want a "spec'd" configuration, PC3200 is
> the one.
>
> How *much* you need is far more subjective. More is always better, up to
a
> point. That which you never use is a complete waste. I personally only
> play a few low-key games, mostly office apps, internet browsing, a little
> photo editing at times, convert CDs to mp3, burn CD/DVD, etc., not really
> demanding, in fact, only have a GeForce4 Ti4200. My worst case is perhaps
> 570MB. So I have 1GB of PC3200 (w/ my P4 2.6GHz "C" 800MHz), which allows
> me to disable the paging file. My advice is to go w/ 1GB of PC3200, and
add
> more later only if needed. You'll probably want to buy in pairs anyway,
> particularly if the mobo is dual channel. Prices will drop eventually
too.
>
> I've managed to overclock the CPU FSB and memory to 218MHz, less than 10%,
> so I have managed to give the system a small "kick" to improve
performance.
> And my use of Kingston KHX3200AK2/1G PC3200 has been the limiting factor,
it
> topped out around 218MH (even though my CPU FSB could have gone higher).
> That's why I mentioned that if you intend to OC, a little more memory
speed
> can help. The KVR models are "value ram", meaning these are unlikely to
OC
> much at all, maybe 5% or less.
>
> So if you want something from the value ram list (KVR), I'd recommend at
> least 1GB of PC3200, CL 2.5 much preferred. Unless it's a *really* good
> deal, stay away from CL3, that's a little too loose on timings. Since the
> value ram seems to not include CL2, the point is moot, but if you can/do
> find a deal on CL2, that's the best stuff. Lower CL ratings are better.
>
> Beware that DDR prices are INSANE right now! I bought my Kingston HyperX
> PC3200 1GB back at the end of Dec 03 for $176, Kingston direct, no tax, no
> shipping. That same memory is now running $286, and that's the promo!!!
> Regularly $337!
>
>
http://www.ec.kingston.com/shop/partsinfo.asp?promo=boost&ktcpartno=KHX3200AK2/1G
>
> Now consider the following, equivalent value ram (selected from your
list):
>
> > KVR400X64C3AK2/1G 1GB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 $274.00
>
> Heck, the Kingston HyperX is $2 cheaper!, and better stuff anyway (CL2,
will
> run 2-3-2-5-1 up to 218MHz, at least for me). To add even more confusion,
> Kingston HyperX PC4000 was selling only 10 days ago or so for $233 on
promo
> (a pretty good deal consider where we are now), now it's $325 on promo!
> Incredible, only 10 days ago you could have gotten Kingston HyperX PC4000
> for $41 *less* than Kingston "value ram" (of the same amount and speed but
> worse timings) is selling today!!!
>
>
http://www.ec.kingston.com/shop/partsinfo.asp?promo=boost&ktcpartno=KHX4000K2/1G
>
> So if you want to save money, and get a good deal, you really need to shop
> around, and if you have the patience, wait it out. Deals are popping up
> here and there, but it takes patience. For example, Circuit City is
> currently selling single sticks of Kingston value ram PC3200 512MB for
$93,
> plus a $23 rebates, a VERY good deal:
>
>
http://www.circuitcity.com/rebatedetail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&oid=87386&catoid=-10263&qp=0
>
> Rebate is limited to one stick, so 1GB is 2 x $93 ($186) + tax (~$10) -
$23
> rebate = $173 shipped. Not bad, but it is CL 3-3-3 I believe.
>
> My advice is to take your time, don't jump on the first thing, it's hard
to
> imagine DDR can go much higher, people will (if they already haven't) stop
> buying and wait. Therefore, monitoring of Kingston direct, or keeping an
> eye on the bargain hunting sites is your best bet, deals will come to
those
> who wait . And it should be obvious, just because it says "value ram"
> doesn't mean it's a good or better deal!
>
> HTH
>
> Jim

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 20:07:33 -0700, "Jim" <null@null.com> wrote:
>snip good advicd
>My advice is to take your time, don't jump on the first thing, it's hard to
>imagine DDR can go much higher, people will (if they already haven't) stop
>buying and wait. Therefore, monitoring of Kingston direct, or keeping an
>eye on the bargain hunting sites is your best bet, deals will come to those
>who wait . And it should be obvious, just because it says "value ram"
>doesn't mean it's a good or better deal!
>
>HTH
>
>Jim
FYI
You might want to make your purchase sooner rather than later.
http://asia.cnet.com/newstech/systems/0,39001153,39175509,00.htm
http://www.iht.com/articles/514722.html


regards

Dud
--

If we are what we eat. I'm cheap, fast, and easy.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

>Yes, I want the
>fastest performance as the bottom line -- but I don't want to pay for a
>large number that doesn't get used either.

Your list mentions several ECC modules as well. Those are error-correcting or
parity. I don't think you'd need that for a desktop machine. A server
perhaps.

Michael

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

"Jim" <null@null.com> wrote:

> My advice is to take your time, don't jump on the first thing,
> it's hard to imagine DDR can go much higher, people will (if
> they already haven't) stop buying and wait. Therefore,
> monitoring of Kingston direct, or keeping an eye on the
> bargain hunting sites is your best bet, deals will come to
> those who wait . And it should be obvious, just because it
> says "value ram" doesn't mean it's a good or better deal!

ISTR that we are entering a memroy shrtage market. Maybe it will
get worse for a few months before it gets better?