HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

[megawhompertoo]

So, currently I have 2x512 mb of this value ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820211119

but I recently upgraded to this p4m800-pro MOBO when my p4s-800mx died

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135221

so...i'm looking at getting some fast ddr2 ram (pc6400) and recycling my 1gb ddr into a htpc. i was seriously looking at 1gb now and 1gb later of:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231085

but heck...should I get 2gb now, and when I upgrade to a vista system, get another 2gb?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820221118

i'm happy with my current sys--x800xt aiw, p4 3.0E prescott, 1gb ram, but I woud like to upgrade and double my ram with some recyclable ddr2.

Waddayathunk?

[Merlin]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

First You cant use DDR2 in that mobo, you need DDR.

Secondly, your CPU/Mobo uses a 200MHz front side bus equivalent to DDR400 RAM (PC3200). So if you were going to buy faster ram than that you would have to overclock your P4 to make use of the faster ram speeds. The P4 Prescotts are not fantastic overclockers due to the heat they produce.

So you would probally be best hanging on to what you have got untill you are ready to make a full sytem upgrade. Unless you have a beast of a graphics card that need more system ram.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

First You cant use DDR2 in that mobo, you need DDR.

Actually, the MOBO will accept DDR or DDR2. The issue I'd run into is whether or not the registered ddr2 would function.

Secondly, your CPU/Mobo uses a 200MHz front side bus equivalent to DDR400 RAM (PC3200). So if you were going to buy faster ram than that you would have to overclock your P4 to make use of the faster ram speeds. The P4 Prescotts are not fantastic overclockers due to the heat they produce.

I wasn't necessarily looking for more performance. Buying a stick or two (up to 2gb) of 800mhz memory that runs at 400mhz is fine with me--I was looking for more memory, and I didn't want to buy any more ddr.

Appreciate the comments, answered one of my many other q's.

[Merlin]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

Ok I flashed over it and saw it was a 478 socket, so just assumed it wouldnt support DDR2. Crazy mobo like the other ones that have both an AGP and PCIe slot:hmm:

Anyway while I was reading up about your mobo I read some reviews that said the board would only support PC2 4200 (DDR2 533) or slower, not PC2 5300 or PC2 6400. So that might have an effect on what you want to buy.

[iNvAzN]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

It would be a waste to buy DDR2 800 (PC 6400) memory if your mobo supports up to DDR2 533, the DDR2 800 stick won't be used to it's full potential....buying a good DDR2 533 stick will be fine, no need to spend the extra bucks on better ram if it won't be able to run as fast...

[megawhompertoo]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

It would be a waste to buy DDR2 800 (PC 6400) memory if your mobo supports up to DDR2 533, the DDR2 800 stick won't be used to it's full potential....buying a good DDR2 533 stick will be fine, no need to spend the extra bucks on better ram if it won't be able to run as fast...

Normally, I'd agree. But the price difference between 1gb of 533mhz and 1gb 800mhz is about $20...and I can use the 800mhz to build a better pc around the middle part of next year, after the Conroe hoopla dies down a little.

533mhz:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010170147+1052108080+1052408147+1052307858&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=147

cheapest $69

800mhz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010170147+1052108080+1052416064+1052307858&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=147

cheapest $89

I'm ditching the idea of getting a 2gb stick. But I'll probably get a couple of 1 gig sticks of DDR2 @ 800mhz when I spot a deal, realizing they'll run at half-speed until I get a new cpu/mobo.

[ebag]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

i got my 2X512Mb for free and it did not come with my pc :rock: :banana: :yay:

[iNvAzN]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

Normally, I'd agree. But the price difference between 1gb of 533mhz and 1gb 800mhz is about $20...and I can use the 800mhz to build a better pc around the middle part of next year, after the Conroe hoopla dies down a little.

533mhz:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010170147+1052108080+1052408147+1052307858&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=147

cheapest $69

800mhz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010170147+1052108080+1052416064+1052307858&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=147

cheapest $89

I'm ditching the idea of getting a 2gb stick. But I'll probably get a couple of 1 gig sticks of DDR2 @ 800mhz when I spot a deal, realizing they'll run at half-speed until I get a new cpu/mobo.

2 gig stick are a waste, the 1 gig idea is MUCH better....I guess buying the DDR2 800 would be a good idea for now if you plan on recycling the sticks later...

[abtomat74]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

Good idea ditching the 2gig single stick idea...chances are your mobo because of its dual-ramability wouldn't accept a single module of that capacity anyway.

[Stormy{CAN}]

Re: HEY!!! Memory freaks!!! Got a question for ya's...

Good idea ditching the 2gig single stick idea...chances are your mobo because of its dual-ramability wouldn't accept a single module of that capacity anyway.

Give that man a cigar.

Then again it doesn't take long to find the specs for that mobo,

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Product...=Specification

2 x 184-pin DDR DIMM socket support up to 2 GB
2 x 240-pin DDR DIMM socket support up to 2 GB
Support DDR400/333 DDR SDRAM or DDR2 533/400 DDR2 SDRAM