2GB DDR2 800 Kingston value ram or 3GB 667 Kingston?

Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain

Hi again,

I'm at wits' end!!! I cannot find a simple answer to my problem online.

I'm making a new build (details below) and cannot decide whether 2GB DDR2 800mhz Kingston Vlaue ram (80euros) is better than 3GB DDR2 667mhz Kingston ram (value or otherwise) (75euros). Not using dual matched pairs or anything as they are a little out of budget and potentially unnecessary for what it will be used for.

I have no intentions of O'cing as it's not for me it's for my Dad. He won't even be playing games (at least not yet lol). He likes to multi task, download and burn though. I suppose I'll get a reply saying that 3GB is overkill but the prices are about the same and I want it to have a minimum of 2GB.

The build is as follows:

Intel E6600, Asus P5K-E, x2 Seagate barracudas, GeForce 8500GT (512mb), Tacens Aries 680w PSU, Tacens Algeo case, Tacens Gelus heatsink and fan. Will use on-board sound.

(Any comments re the build will also be welcome)

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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

You need to use matching sticks for dual channel.

so

512 x 2 = 1gb
1gb x 2 = 2gb
2gb x 2 = 4gb

You don't have to have matched pairs to get dual channel to work. Two 1gb sticks is all you need.

I highly doubt that the matched pairs really are tested to match together at all.
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Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain

Thanks, that helps as now I know I don't need the kits... but could you please help me with the first part of the post?

Basically, is slightly less in amount but faster ram better or worse for my needs than more, slower ram?

i.e. 2GB 800 vs 3GB 667 ram?

Which one for the new build?
_________________
P4 2.8ghz OC @ 3ghz 800fsb
2GB ram OCZ pc3200
ATi X1950 Pro (AGP)
WD 74GB Raptor
WD 1TB
Creative Audigy 2
Creative Megaworks 5.1
Thermaltake Xaser 3 case
Thermaltake 550w psu

Xal · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:21 am Post subject:

Stick to round numbers

2GB or 4GB.

3GB is an oddball number and will mean that you won't have dual channel which IS important for speed. The only way you could have 3gb and dual channel is to have 2 x 1gb sticks and 2 x 512mb sticks and that is just not cost effective and it can cause stability issues.

Go with 2gb of good fast ram and you will be fine. Unless your father uses intensive 3d rendering aplications or plays the latest games on max settings you will not need more. I do a fair bit of 3d work and rendering and my 2gb kit is more than sufficient for it and all the games I play.

Go for 2gb and try and find a non value kit if you have the money. If not you can't go wrong with kingstons value range, I have never had a problem with them.
_________________
Phenom II x4 955 @ Stock
Asus M3N78-EM
4gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667 @ 800
1gb Powercolor Radeon HD 5850 @ Stock
X-fi Extreme Audio PCI E
Nexus 600W Silent PSU
Nexus Fans
Custom case

Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain

Thanks for the advice, I'll see what else the shop sells, but like you said, I'm sure I can't go wrong with 2GB Kingston Value 800.

I only choose 3GB as I understand XP 32bit only sees up to 3GB... but I've seen enough posts on that; let's not open another can of worms eh?

If anyone else has the time, I still would like to know if it makes any real or significant difference in performance between 2GB 667 or 2GB 800.

Is it only when overclocking that it really makes a difference?

Thanks again
_________________
P4 2.8ghz OC @ 3ghz 800fsb
2GB ram OCZ pc3200
ATi X1950 Pro (AGP)
WD 74GB Raptor
WD 1TB
Creative Audigy 2
Creative Megaworks 5.1
Thermaltake Xaser 3 case
Thermaltake 550w psu

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain

I have been actually reading your posts - I meant that the only reason I originally choose 3gb was... (see first post). I have now been convinced otherwise; I won't be buying and installing 3GB of ram.

However, I would appreciate it if anyone trying to help me actually read my post. The question has still not been answered.

Many thanks.
_________________
P4 2.8ghz OC @ 3ghz 800fsb
2GB ram OCZ pc3200
ATi X1950 Pro (AGP)
WD 74GB Raptor
WD 1TB
Creative Audigy 2
Creative Megaworks 5.1
Thermaltake Xaser 3 case
Thermaltake 550w psu

Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain

your last response was not in reply to my latest response where I acknowledge that 3GB should not be used. The latest question is "is there a significant or noticeable difference between 2gb 667 and 2gb 800"

Second question is whether indeed 4gb 667 is far better than 2gb 800? (it comes out only 20euros more for 4gb 667 than 2gb 800.

Thanks again
_________________
P4 2.8ghz OC @ 3ghz 800fsb
2GB ram OCZ pc3200
ATi X1950 Pro (AGP)
WD 74GB Raptor
WD 1TB
Creative Audigy 2
Creative Megaworks 5.1
Thermaltake Xaser 3 case
Thermaltake 550w psu

Xal · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:16 am Post subject:

If you use win XP 64 then 4gb is a better option becuase in all honesty you won't see much of a difference in speed between 667 and 800, don't get me wrong, there IS a difference but not worth sacrificing double the capacity.

However, if you use XP pro 32 then 2GB of faster ram is the better option as you wouldn't be able to use the full 4gb anyway.

The difference in speed would only be noticeable if you were to run timed benchmarks and I'm talking thousandths of a second here. Go for quantity so long as the quality of both speeds is good. I personally use 2GB of DDR2 667 Corsair XMS2 and its plenty fast enough for my needs.
_________________
Phenom II x4 955 @ Stock
Asus M3N78-EM
4gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667 @ 800
1gb Powercolor Radeon HD 5850 @ Stock
X-fi Extreme Audio PCI E
Nexus 600W Silent PSU
Nexus Fans
Custom case

Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain

Thanks for all the input, great help.
_________________
P4 2.8ghz OC @ 3ghz 800fsb
2GB ram OCZ pc3200
ATi X1950 Pro (AGP)
WD 74GB Raptor
WD 1TB
Creative Audigy 2
Creative Megaworks 5.1
Thermaltake Xaser 3 case
Thermaltake 550w psu

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Yes, you will see a difference. The cost difference between the 667 and the 800 is low enough that it is a cheaper option in the long run when it comes to performance for the dollar.

That or in most cases the 667 could overclock to 800 if you have capable memory and a good board.
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Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain

Thanks for the tip - the memory is Kingston ValueRAM 800 - any comments about this ram? I couldn't find reviews.

I'm going to use an Asus P5K-E and an Intel E6600.
_________________
P4 2.8ghz OC @ 3ghz 800fsb
2GB ram OCZ pc3200
ATi X1950 Pro (AGP)
WD 74GB Raptor
WD 1TB
Creative Audigy 2
Creative Megaworks 5.1
Thermaltake Xaser 3 case
Thermaltake 550w psu

Zero_Fresh · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:59 am Post subject:

I have no personal experience with that particular stick, but I can say that Kingston makes a quality product. I've had my current Kingston sticks for way longer than a computer should even exist a main machine and haven't had any problems what-so-ever.
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smith.p.sean · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject:

Simeon · TweakNOOB Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Spain