Memory for an A7N8X MB

[lambo]

I am planing to buy an Asus A7N8X, mother board, 2400+ XP, and one 512 mb module of memory (going to buy another one later when I have more money) But the question is that I found some old spec of the Cosair (CMX512-3200C2PT) memory of
Latency: 2-3-3-T1 (one module installed)
Latency: 2.5-3-3-T2 (two modules installed)

,but I was wondering if I would be able to run it at CL of 2 later when I get more memory

Different people tell me to get DDR333 (because of the CL) and other DDR400, so I was just wanting to ask anyone here what would be the better memory type to get. And does the Platinum (Sliver) heat spread really help the memory out.

 

[LtBlue14]

Cosair XMS3200 can't even run in DDR400 because it is simply a DDR333 selected to run at 200Mhz.

The Cosair XMS3500 and the Adata DDR400 are the real ones that is capable of doing DDR400.

what exactly do you mean by this? if they will both run at 200Mhz then what's the difference?

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[LtBlue14]

i was expecting a response like that..how does performance differ? can you point me to any benchmarks that show a difference? thanks

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[LtBlue14]

why can't you put both on a ratio to do the same test? it won't be in sync but at least they'll both be async
i just don't see why true ddr400 would be faster than ddr 333 which is oc-able to ddr400
(what i mean is, all ddr is made the same, so pc2100 is that speed because it couldn't be clocked higher stably or because the company wanted to put that speed of memory out. a comparison could be drawn with intel (amd as well i assume) who makes all processors the best they can, and the ones that don't clock as well are labeled as such, and the ones that clock higher are labeled higher.)
does the actual architecture of ddr modules change as JEDEC creates new standards? is a true ddr400 module changed architecturally to provide better performance than a ddr333 module that is overclocked to the same speed?

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[lambo]

So LtBlue14 you are saying that the DDR433 is worth the extra money (Even though if does not have a CL of 2 when more modules are installed)?

 

[lambo]

sorry wusy, and thanks

 

[LtBlue14]

why is it worth the investment at a lower cas if it's not even faster? (and ARE there architectural differences?)
and why can't you compare something that's overclocked with something that's not if they end up the same speed?

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[LtBlue14]

*bump* =)

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[mzehn]

I, too, am planning on building a system with the A7N8X, and have not yet chosen memory for it.

I'm not very knowledgable in the area of memory (primarily because my current system is so old it's still running on a gig of PC100), and I'd appreciate any recommendations. I'm looking for at least 512MB in any configuration.

Thanks!

 

[LtBlue14]

i understand that two cpu's might not be comparable because of their different fsb's, but we're talking memory here. both will be running at 200x2. and when i said lower cas latency i meant worse (2.5, not 2)
quote from lambo:

So wusy you are saying that the DDR433 is worth the extra money (Even though if does not have a CL of 2 when more modules are installed)?

and you said that it is worth it. i'm saying why is it worth it if, according to your theory, his memory will not run at ddr400 (only 266 because of his fsb) AND will have a cas of 2.5
why not get some corsair xms3200 (which yes it IS pc2700 with top quality chips) at cas 2. how will this reduce performance compared to ddr433 which is run at 400.
and you STILL have not said the differences, or at least pointed me to a link, between true JEDEC certified ddr400 and ddr333. i'm not convinced there is any performance difference.

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[LtBlue14]

As you can see, some 3D applications gained performance considerably when running DDR400. That's why power users should definitely go for DDR400 memory - even though the advantage is not realized with standard games and applications. People that run high-end 3D applications like Design Review or 3D Studio Max will clearly experience more performance with the faster memory. All others can safely run DDR333 - but no matter which type of memory you want to use, do not accept anything other than CL2 mode DIMMs! The performance gap to CL2.5 is as big as if you exchanged your Athlon XP 2200+ for the 2100+ model!

i take this to mean that they were running their memory at DDR400 speeds, and if you want to settle for DDR333. I've just checked their website (because i was only sure of it until i saw what you were posting..) and JEDEC has not yet approved of DDR400 as a standard. i can send you the PDF if you want (it was updated Dec 21, 2002), it makes no mention of the standards of DDR400. I think you've read the passage wrong, reread it as "power users need to run their memory at 400Mhz, others can settle for 333."
there is not yet a standard for DDR400, as of now it is all DDR333 with superior chips
PM me if you want the PDF, or you can sign up at www.jedec.org and go to the DDR and DDR2 section.
no hard feelings, and once more if i'm wrong let me know =)

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[LtBlue14]

lol i can't understand what juin says anyway...

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[Rob423]

In my case, i don't plan on OC'ng @ all.. i will have the A7n8x board with the Xp2800+... What is the best choice in mem for this situation.. money is no problem.. also want 1 GB...

so do i get 1GB of PC2700? (DDR333) since my cpu is 333mhz fsb?

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[Rob423]

so i shouldn't get Crucial or Corsair XMS ?

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[Vyrzeden]

I just recently bought the A78NX board and I went with the Corsair 256 (x2) DDR400 (PC3200). Now personally, I haven't run the memory at 400Mhz simply because there is much less timing overhead when you run the memory in synch with the processor. That being said, I run it at 166 (333FSB) in synch with my 2600+ at 333 FSB.

Of course, what is the point of getting DDR400 if I'm not even running it 400? Simple, if you run the memory at lower clock speeds, you can typically run it at more aggressive memory timings. Right now, I have my memory set at 2-2-2 running at 333Mhz. There's been a few places online where I've read this (I think THG is one of 'em) and I'm happy with the results.

As far as brands go, Corsair has worked great for me and I've heard pretty good stuff about OCZ memory mentioned by wusy. But I would definitely consider running DDR400 at DDR333 with better timings and compare.

Vyr

 

[Rob423]

ok never read about memory as much as other stuff..

i always thought you just buy some 512mb and just pop'm in..

i don't know anything about the Cas 2 and all that stuff, and the Latency, and the Timmins like 2-2-2 and all that stuff..

i just no that im gonna be getting the 2800+ with the nForce2 and want 1 GB of memory.. but not gonna be OC'ing the system..

so i want the best memory i can get performance wise..

so should i get Corsair pc3500 cas2? 512 x 2.. and run @ 2-2-2? if im way off, just let me know what to do

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[Vyrzeden]

You'll be fine with that memory, but the board itself (A7N8X) only officially supports up to DDR400. PC3500 is rated max at 434Mhz, which unless you do some tweaking, you probably aren't going to reach. It will still work and may even be an investment for when boards come out that can support higher than DDR400, but if you just want the best for the A7N8X, stick with PC3200.

Other than that, pop 'em in, set your timings and run some stability tests and see how it goes. You may also want to try running in synch or asynch with the processor (a setting in the BIOS, nothing major here) and see which works better for you.

Vyr

 

[Rob423]

so when i buy the pc3200, i don't just pop' them in and im ready..

i have to go into bios and change stuff?

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[Vyrzeden]

Right, the board comes with default settings that you will want to change anyway, memory timings are just one of em. The manual explains stuff pretty well and you can always check web sites and message boards for more information. You MIGHT be able to run straight out of the box without touching a thing, but this is unlikely.

And besides, this is one of the best places to get answers, so don't hesitate to ask around.

Vyr

P.S. One note, the board does have some timings defined already, these are gotten by reading the memory and determining the appropriate timings. You can change these all at once by using aggressive memory timings (one option) if you don't feel comfortable with all the little details.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Vyrzeden on 12/26/02 05:32 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Rob423]

so if i get the pc3200 cas2

do you know off hand what i should just change so i can get good performance? what #'s to put in and so forth

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[Vyrzeden]

I would just set the memory options to "aggressive" to start out, that will automatically set the memory at 2-3-3 I think (not looking at it right now, about 400mi. from my PC If you want to tweak them individually from there, set the memory options to "user defined" and go from there. I see tests on THG here that run it at 2-2-2 without hiccups.

Btw, the breakdown for the BIOS settings is like this:

x(CAS latency)-y(RAS precharge)-z(RAS to CAS delay)
where "xyz" is the number in (x-y-z)

So when I say set your timings to 2-2-2, that means:
CAS latency = 2
RAS precharge = 2
RAS to CAS delay = 2

There is another setting called SDRAM Active Precharge Delay. I personally haven't played with this one yet, so either leave it or ask around here for recommendations.
Sorry if this is a bit confusing, it's late now and tomorrow I have to drive the 400mi back home

Vyr

 

[Stormfury]

What about this memory that halkebul recomends:OCZ PC-3500 512MB Enhanced Latency CL2 CH. It's pretty expensive, but I think I'm going to get it for my a7n8x. Not sure yet because I haven't found any reviews.

http://www.coldconcept.com/product_info.php/products_id/133/osCsid/548a044f164b71a5815c0c8f6b83d8e9

 

[SabreFan]

Greetings!

My question about memory for the A7N8X is this; Will you get better performance with 1 stick of 512mb or 2 sticks of 256mb? (or I am thinking of 2 sticks of 512mb of the OCZ memory, any suggestions on how to best arrange them in the motherboard?)

Thanks for the help!

 

[Rob423]

ok, so i will put the pc3200 in, then go to bios and set it to 2-2-2... ok man ... thanks alot for this helpful info


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[AlphaFox]

NOTE
its not worth getting PC3500 unless you are going to tweak it. or PC3200 for that matter. there is no point to run ram in async. mode, its just always slower. i ran my 1700 with a FSB of 133 and some Corsair 3500 C2 @ 200 mhz and only got about 2100 Meg per sec in sandra. then I unlocked the FSB and am running at 185mhz and now I get 2720 mb per sec. much faster! I would only recommend you get the ram speed that is associated with your FSB unless your going to tweak it, have extra $$ or are planning for the future. eg, get PC2100 if you have a 266mhz bus, PC2700 if you have a 333mhz bus, but 3200 and 3500 dont do anything unless you have unlocked your fsb.