Memory upgrade.. getting another 1GB

MartMax

Hi all

This is perhaps a typical question... but still I wanna ask around... I have 2 x 256MB PC3200 as you can see in my signature below... having some programs running in the background at all time, make my system somehow lagging while playing games... so I'm thinking getting more RAM hoping that will resort this matter...

I have 4 slots on my mobo... 2 in used and I wanna add another 1GB ( 2 x 512MB ) with an idea so I won't need more upgrade in the future.... hope so... looking at Komplett and shop4memory sites, I'm now confused which memory should I go for... €200-250 is somehow pricey therefore I don't want to make a purchase that I'd regret... also wanna keep the 2 x 256MB, so after upgrade total memory will be 1.5GB... more than enuff I guess... note that I don't overclock... any comments / help / suggestions?

Mart Max

Thordon

I had 512 up until recently, and had been noticing a lot of pauses in gamepley, like half/third second ones, I figured it was either the hard drive being almost full (which it is), or lack of memory, I went up to 1 gig, and the pauses are completely gone.

I think the cause is that there is not enough space for all the game data/textures etc, so it stores it in virtual memory (on the hard drive), which is WAY slower than real memory, so whenever it needs something, it has to switch it into RAM which takes time. You probably dont need 1.5 gig, but it couldnt hurt .

Dr Bolouswki

if your mbd uses dual channell you might lose a bit in frame rates by occupying all 4 slots - if you can sell the 512mb and jsut use 2x512 you might get better performance and less holes in your pocket...

MartMax

yes my mobo supports dual channel, considering that i will get rid of the 2 x 256MB and replace with any of the following which I have to decide :

Shop4memory
OCZ 1Gb kit DDR PC3200 Premier Dual Channel (CL 2.5-3-3-7) @ €210
Patriot 1Gb kit Low Latency PC3200 Dual Channel (CL 2-3-2-5) @ €208

komplett
Corsair TWINX1024-3200XL DDR-DIMM 1024MB (CL 2-2-2-5) @ €249

what say u guys?

padraigf

You dont really need the low latency for your P4, as far as I know. I think that Athlon 64s get a lot more out of it. I think you can get a gig of TwinMOS for 150 - 160 on komplett, and thats 2.5-3-3-8. Not amazing, but not awful. I had it before and had no trouble with it at all, even at a bit over stock (never tried pusing it).
Main question is if you will be overclocking or not. If you do overclock, the Corsair 3200XL or 3200C2 would be more up your alley. I have the 3200C2 and it runs 228 mhz at 2.5-3-3-6 on my A64 (stock timings and stock voltage). Couldnt recommend it anymore highly for the price (€199).

Mutant_Fruit

Corsair is very good ram, and i've never heard of Patriot. I'm not sure how many FPS you'd lose by using all the ram slots, but i think the benefits will outweigh any losses, especially in future games which will need even more ram!