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2007-04-10 15:26:23
benzoenator
Member
+4|6522
Ok, first of all, please don't flame me. I'm assuming that a topic like this gets posted once every twenty seconds in this forum, but I'm genuinely confused with this issue.

I'm running 2x256MB Apacher DDR SRDAM chips (yep, I know it's rather sad), and I've decided I need to upgrade my RAM. I was looking in my specs, and the Memory Speed of both the chips is PC3200 (200Mhz). Thing is, I've been cruising the internet, and I don't think I've seen chips around now with a speed of 200Mhz; they all seem to be 400Mhz. Is this going to be a problem when I buy more RAM?

Also, I was reading something on latency in a stickied thread, and how having chips of different sizes slows you a fair deal. I was thinking of getting a 1GB chip, but considering I'm running 256MB chips, is this going to cause any major problems? I'm not some quality freak who has to have like the most perfect system in the entire world running in their room, the only reason I'm upgrading my RAM is that servers are a little laggy when I join them, Verifying Client Data takes like two minutes and there are errors in the game which I think could be solved by upgrading my RAM.

So in conclusion, my questions are (note that this is assuming I keep my 256MB chips - BF2 runs ok on my system, and I'm not going to shell out hundreds on completely replacing my RAM):

a) Do I have to get a RAM chip that runs 200Mhz speed, or if I buy one with say, 400Mhz, will it work ok?
b) Because I'm running 256MB chips, if I go and buy a 1GB chip, will it cause latency problems that will really slow me down noticeably.

It's been something that has been irking me for some time, so I'd love some insight into this issue
2007-04-10 15:28:24
Surgeons
U shud proabbly f off u fat prik
+3,097|6773|Gogledd Cymru

tbh your best off getting two sticks of 512 ram running at least 633Mhz, and chucking the old ram away, 200Mhz is really slow nowadays
2007-04-10 15:30:36
Havok
Nymphomaniac Treatment Specialist
+302|6959|Florida, United States

a)  If you buy one at 400Mhz,  it will only run at 200Mhz so long as the 256MB sticks are still installed.
b)  It probably will cause issues.  Currently, I'm running 2x256, 1x512, and 1x1024 and it sucks.  I'm saving up to replace the sticks that are lower than 1GB for another 1GB stick of the same brand (so it will be the same amount of RAM just more efficient).

If I were you, I'd just ditch the 512MB RAM and get the 1GB stick.  Once you have more money, buy another 1GB stick of the same type.
2007-04-10 15:34:05
benzoenator
Member
+4|6522
Wow, I'm amazed that I've got two replies in like five minutes. Thank you both so much!

If there are noticeable differences, maybe I will just get a 1GB stick for the time being. Another question, I'm assuming that once you buy one RAM chip, when you want another you have to get it the same brand as the one you've already got. Is this true?

Also, if I'm going to buy completely new RAM, what are some brands that anyone can recommend as being good? I'm looking at the list here, and it looks like for what you're getting, Apacher (current RAM brand) is a lot cheaper than the others (these are in AU dollars).

Last edited by benzoenator (2007-04-10 15:41:22)

2007-04-10 16:03:02
The Stillhouse Kid
Licensed Televulcanologist
+126|6926|Deep In The South Of Texas
Let me set you straight. Your RAM, which you state as being DDR PC3200, is in fact the same as the other RAM you've seen that says 400MHz. What you have to keep in mind is that DDR stands for Double Data Rate, so your ram runs at 200MHz, double that and what do we get? 400MHz.

The fastest DDR you can buy is PC4000, or DDR500, which runs at 500MHz effective speed(250MHz x 2). 633MHz is DDR2 which will not work in your computer.

In short, any PC3200 DDR will work with or as a replacement for the RAM you currently have. If you can afford to, get a kit of 2 1GB sticks, if not go for at least a minimum of 1GB total.
2007-04-10 17:45:19
lxcpikiman
imbad @ bf2
+70|6879|Toronto-Canada
maybe ur mobo doesn't support the speed of 400mhz
check the manual for mobo and check the highest  memory speed ur mobo can take up to.
2007-04-10 18:01:48
The Stillhouse Kid
Licensed Televulcanologist
+126|6926|Deep In The South Of Texas
Download CPU-z. Run it and look under the tab labeled "Memory." It will list your memory's frequency. PC3200(DDR400) will report a speed of 200MHz. If it it lower than 200, look under the tab marked "SPD." Under "Max Bandwidth" it will say what type memory you have, PC2100(133), PC2700(166), PC3200(200), etc..
2007-04-10 18:08:43
jimbo21
Member
+11|6936
good luck! all that ram shit confuses me too!!!!!  i took out my 2 256 chips and installed 2 1gig chips and have been pleased with the performance of the games loading ect... although i had to save a little extra $$$ to do it.
2007-04-11 03:22:20
Profitteroles
Member
+11|6522|Dartford
IF you want 1 gb of ram buy 2 x 512's don't buy a single 1 gb stick, 2 x 512's will run raster than 1 x 1gb stick but make sure you put them in the right slots to run in dual channel, also if you are running a decent branded motherboard don't buy bogo basic ram, I'm running a DFI lanparty expert board and had a nightmare with budget ram tried 3 different types of cheap ram none of which worked until i splashed out on 2 x 1gb OCZ gold stuff runs like a dream now.
2007-04-11 04:10:55
max
Vela Incident
+1,652|6851|NYC / Hamburg

just to clear up the confusion
- pc3200 operates at 200MHz. Because your ram sends 2 pieces of info per clock cycle (DDR=double data rate) it is called 400MHz (200MHz x 2). PC3200 = 200MHz clock = DDR-400. I don't think you can even buy DDR-200 (100 MHz anymore). Make sure to get DDR ram and not DDR2 ram

ideally you should have 2x identical sticks in your set up, but depending on the memory controller your PC has, its more forgiving what you put in. You should however not run 1 or 3 sticks. only
2 x A,
4 x A or
2 x A & 2 x B

ideally you would buy 2 x 1GB sticks and throw out your old ones.
once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot  xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.

 

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