Replace 'standard' DDR memory with 'fast' DDR memory

[tjopper]

Hi,

I currently have the following memory installed:

2 * 512 Mb Infineon PC3200 DDR memory. Modelnumber 64D64320GU5B
2 * 512 Mb Kingston PC3200 DDR memory. Modelnumber KVR400X64C3AK2

Memory is configured in dual channel model. Timings: 3-3-3-8-1

I can buy 2 dual channel kits (in total 4 * 512 Mb) Kingston HyperX memory
for € 112,- (£ 83). Modelnumber KHX3200AK2/1G. Timings: 2-3-2-6-1

Will it be worthwile to sell my old memory and buy the new Hyperx memory.
Then eventually overclock both my processor and memory. Or is it better to
keep my money in the pocket?

I have an Asus P4P800 deluxe motherboard with an Intel Northwood 3,2 Ghz
processor.

Thing I do most with my pc:

- Play games
- Video editting

 

[zenmaster]

Save your money for a system upgrade.
I don't see that upgrade providing a clear performance boost.

If anything you may be able to sell the old system and purchase a new system.

 

[sailer]

I agree. With what you're doing, a faster CPU would be better than faster memory when it comes to video editing and a better video card would be better for games. If any change was made in memory, it would be to go from having four sticks of ram to two sticks of ram. Better off is to keep your money in your pocket, or a bank savings account and save up more money for an all new build.

 

[fredgiblet]

Buying that memory would be a waste, keep your money and save for a completely new build.

 

[tjopper]

All, thanks for the quick replies.

Point taken and I will save the money for a future system.

 

[The_OGS]

Yes, even 2 x 1GB @ 2-2-2-5 would yield only a very subtle performance increase...
I would do it - but only if I had a new home lined up for the 4 x 512MB chips.
The Northwood rig would then be topped out, and that's it for it!
But most are not computer repairmen and therefore do not have this type of upgrade path,
Regards

 

[shinto555]

This is the exact thing i've been debating about!

I Currently have...
CPU: AMD 4000+ single core
GPU: x1950pro 512mb
Memory: 2x512mb Patriot ddr400 2-2-2-5
2x512mb Corsair ValueRam 2.5-3-3-7
Motherboard: Abit AV8 w/ VIA K8T pro chipset


Anyway, in conjunction I am only able to run these things at ddr266 speed with 2-3-2-7 timing w/ a minor overclock bringing it up to around ddr300. I'm thinking with this slow speed and 2T timings it may be worth the upgrade to:

OCZ 2x1GB Platinum 2-3-2-5 timings
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1487205&CatId=1354
(Newegg was acting funny =P)

Would I see a big leap in Performance in this situation? It's kinda weird =\

 

[metamp]

I have a similar issue

I have a MSI NEO F1S2R motherboard with 2 X 512MB DDR 400 modules
This motherboard supports FSB 800 (400 Mhz )
with P4 3GHz Socket 478 processor which is FSB 800 capable

My system FSB runs at 200Mhz
I would like to upgrade my memory to 2 GB DDR 433 or DDR higher so my system FSB would run at 400 Mhz and I would take a full advantage of the FSB

Now my motherboards manual says that the motherboard supports memory up to DDR 400
Can I install DDR 500 or DDR 533 ?
my DDR 400 does not support FSB faster then 210 Mhz if I set it higher the system does not boot or when it boots it crashes

Can someone help

thanks

 

[The_OGS]

Hi metamp,

This motherboard supports FSB 800 (400 Mhz) with P4 3GHz Socket 478 processor which is FSB 800 capable. My system FSB runs at 200Mhz...

Your FSB800 is 200MHz coreclock FSB which is 'quad-clocked' or QDR giving 800MHz (effective).
Your memory is 200Mhz DDR which is 400MHz (effective).
The key is dual-channel memory - DDR400 in dual-channel will match FSB800 precisely.
Thus the CPU has a fat bandwidth of 6.4GB/s and the memory 3.2GB/s x 2 = the same.
(That is why they call DDR400 'PC3200', right?)

Can I install DDR 500 or DDR 533 ?
my DDR 400 does not support FSB faster then 210 Mhz if I set it higher the system does not boot or when it boots it crashes

You can get DDR that is faster than 400MHz - you can get PC3500 and even better but it's big-$$ and getting rare these days.
The thing is memory timings - if you have good case cooling, and you set your mem voltage ~1.7-1.75v, and you relax your memory timings completely (SPD or auto/default) you may get a 10% memory overclock.
So 220MHz will give you DDR440 and 880QDR, increasing your CPU (with its locked multiplier of 15) to ~3.3GHz heheh...
Likewise, 210MHz is a 5% OC and should give you DDR420 and CPU ~3.15GHz, not so bad.
But check it out, see how much you can push it!
There are 3 factors: CPU, CPU fullspeed L2 cache, and memory that will govern the limits of your OC...
To remove the memory as a factor, apply good voltage like I said and with loose timings you will be in the best condition to OC,
Regards

 

[The_OGS]

Hi shinto555,

Memory: 2x512mb Patriot ddr400 2-2-2-5
2x512mb Corsair ValueRam 2.5-3-3-7
Anyway, in conjunction I am only able to run these things at ddr266 speed with 2-3-2-7 timing...

Really? That's harsh, yikes!
You should get your full memory speed if you relax your timings, the rule is that all 4 memchips should be able to run okay at the slowest timings any individual chip requires - in your case 2.5-3-3-7.
Again, good case cooling, generous memory voltage and manually selecting the DDR400 speed while leaving the memory timings on auto/default should allow your rig to POST.
Get it to run real solid @ DDR400 with bone-stock HT FSB, no overclock.
If you then increase your FSB to OC, I believe at some point your memory dividers will change (in an attempt to keep the memory in spec), perhaps this is what you have been experiencing?
Regards

 

[Kari]

VIA K8T chipset has some serious issues when using multiple memory sticks...
I had MSI NEO-FIS2R mobo (socket 754 AMD). it had 3 memory slots, when using only one stick of memory it ran fine at DDR400. With 2 mismatched DDR400 capable sticks it ran only at DDR333 no matter what I did with the BIOS memory settings (it completely ingored them). If all 3 memory slots were used it slowed further down to DDR266, even if all 3 sticks were running fine at DDR400 on their own...
So I think the chipset is completely unable to use multiple memory slots with full speed. Whether its something structural, electrical or some desing flaw I dont know. All I know it doesnt work :/

 

[Falken699]

Start looking for a new system. Your video editing must be really tedious on that rig, wait a bit and get a quad.

 

[blashyrkh]

I switched from DDR-333 (166Mhz) to DDR-400 (200Mhz) and all I got was about 120 more marks in 3Dmark 05. Not worth it mate