I'm ready to order the memory and cpu for my new homebuilt project.
I have an ASUS A8N-E on order and, due to limited budget, I've decided I need to decide on spending money on RAM vs. the CPU. My thoughts are as follows:
1. get 2x512 RAM, DDR400 and spring for an Opteron 165 perhaps
OR
2. go for 2x 1GB RAM and get a more mainstream cpu, like a 3200+ or 3500+ Venice.
For memory, I was thinking a pair of either Corsair XMS or Crucial Ballistix DDR400 RAM.
I want my pc to be a really nice, stable, gaming machine.
I'm ready to order the memory and cpu for my new homebuilt project.
I have an ASUS A8N-E on order and, due to limited budget, I've decided I need to decide on spending money on RAM vs. the CPU. My thoughts are as follows:
1. get 2x512 RAM, DDR400 and spring for an Opteron 165 perhaps
OR
2. go for 2x 1GB RAM and get a more mainstream cpu, like a 3200+ or 3500+ Venice.
For memory, I was thinking a pair of either Corsair XMS or Crucial Ballistix DDR400 RAM.
I want my pc to be a really nice, stable, gaming machine.
I'd love to hear your inputs.
Rob
Go for 2GB RAM and amd 3500+ because you really need more ram if you are going to play games with high setitings. Ofcurse you can buy an Opteron and upgrade latter to 2GB of ram
depending on what games you want to play id say get the 2gb and 3200... for example, if u plan to play bf2/oblivion/fear and such id say go for 2 gb memory.. if ur gonna be using the computer for hl2 and multithreaded apps id say the opteron with 1 gb memory will benifit more. so be more specific in what you plan to do with it.
also what video card do u plan to get? and are u gonna oc anything? if u plan to oc, id say go with a 3200 and 2 gb corsair xms (its somthing like 160 for 2gb after rebates?) and the cpu is 160, so thats 320 for a damn good combo... plus the 3200 will hit 2.4-2.6 pretty easily with good cooling
Get more memory, it will give you more "all-around" Windows performance and makes games load and play slightly faster.
Now if you are deciding between more memory Vs. a dual-core processor, I'd get the dual-core and wait a couple months to get the extra 1Gb of memory. Either way, get the memory in single sticks. If you want 1Gb of memory to start, get the 1Gb stick, not 2x 512mbs.
Helps performance a bit because of lower latencies operating in single-channel mode, the dual-core memory thing is kind of overhyped. It helps, but only when you use a big ole' block of memory, 1gb or greater.
Ram quantity is very important as well when it comes to playing game with huge map and high settings. Take BF2 for example, an 840 EE with 1Gb of ram is not gonna be as smooth as to a P4 2.5Ghz with 2Gb of ram. So getting 2x1Gb of ram would definitely get you an increase in performance and be able to run games at higher quality.
Thanks guys. I like the idea of 2x1GB ram. I think I'll scrape up a bit more. Either case, I plane to go for a nice graphics card ... maybe a 7800GT? I'm not too into OCing. Maybe I'll try it a little.
I've had good luck with Corsair/Crucial/PQI/G.skill
Some would say I've had "very" good luck considering those brands.
Lots of good word from Gigaram and Patriot as well.
OCZ is awesome, you pay for it though.
dont even think about a 7800gt... a 7900gt is a few bux more and performs as well as a 7800gtx... 7900 is about 320... and memory i recommend corsair xms... very good memory. but others say OZC is good.. if u dont plan on overclocking dont get lowest timings just get decent mid range stuff... 2-3-3-6 timings or 3-3-3-8 will be fine since u wont overclock, it saves a ton of cash as well.. another good card if u like ati more is the x1800xt... a bit cheaper than a 7900gt and IMO ati has better image quality... its pretty much ur decision in the end, depending on ur budget and how cheap u become
I would get 1gb RAM and the 3700 San Deigo, buts thats me. Go for the slightly better cpu as it will last longer, and the ram is easier to put more in later..
And btw, Corsair is the best I'm running 2gb 400mhz corsair ram and it is very good.
I would go for opteron 165 ...more room for improvement in future as dual core will be usefull in games soon... you can buy more memory if you wish (and 2x512 MB are faster than 2x1GB) but can you add a core in a single core CPU if you have to ?
2. go for 2x 1GB RAM and get a more mainstream cpu, like a 3200+ or 3500+ Venice.
For memory, I was thinking a pair of either Corsair XMS or Crucial Ballistix DDR400 RAM.
I want my pc to be a really nice, stable, gaming machine.
I'd go for your second option. Dual core is now taking off and it's not sure when the games will take real advantage of it. It could take sometime and then it's time to buy a whole new system...
For the RAM i like Patriot but your options are ok. Try to buy CL2.0-3-3-5 or CL2.5-3-3-5 or with similar timmings.
Invest also on a new graphic card. That makes also all the difference for top games.
Is it ok to get 1 stick of 1GB ram now and add another later?
I always thought that you want to buy memory in matched pairs if you want dual channel operation.
I'm running 2gb 400mhz corsair ram and it is very good.