ECC or Not ECC that is the question?

[mattspencer]

I need to upgrade my memory but am lost as to what to get, I am a gamer of sorts and would like a tad more performance?

I have a Gainward NVidia GF4 Ti 4600 OK I guess, but only a measly 256mb system memory. So I guess thats the let down right now!

So ECC or Not ECC and does the manufacturer matter? Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!!

Matt


System Config:

System Memory: 256 ECC MB
Maximum Memory: 2GB with WIN2000
Central Processor: Intel Pentium 4
O/S: WINDOWS XP Home

This system supports ECC (KTD-DM800E/xxx) and non-ECC RDRAM (KTD-DM800/xxx).

 

[sturm]

Unless your worried about memory accuracy I would just stay with non-ecc. Ecc memory is mainly for servers and is usually a little slower than non-ecc.
Although it looks like you already have ecc in the computer unless you want to change out both sticks I would get an ecc stick to match what you have.

 

[bum_jcrules]

Since you have a x18 module which is ECC you should buy ECC modules. I am not sure that the MCH will disable ECC if you put a non-ECC, x16, device with it.

<A HREF="http://www.rambus.com/downloads/rdram.128s.0059-1.11.book.pdf" target="_new">Rambus White Papers</A>

<A HREF="http://www.valueram.com/config/type_parts.asp?type=rimm" target="_new">Which of these Kingston RIMMs do you own?</A>

My quess is that you have two sticks of 128MB KVR800A18-4/128.

You could buy a single 256MB KVR1066X18-8/256 and put it in one channel with a Continuity RIMM (CRIMM) and put the other two in the other channel.

They would equal the same density and have the same number of devices per channel.

Channel 1 = One 8 device RIMM

Channel 2 = Two 4 device RIMMs = 8 Devices.


I get some of the RDRAM stuff mixed up so I will look to be corrected if I am mistaken.

I can't remember if you can have differeing number of devices per channel. I think you can but like I said, it has been a while and I can't remember the specifics.



<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com//modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=7" target="_new">Check out the new Case Mod and PSU section of the THGC</A>

 

[mattspencer]

As it turns out I have 256 non-ECC . So from your advice guys I will go non-ECC! Do you think 512 (256 more) is enough or should I ramp it up a little and spoil myself with by purchasing an extra 512? I have a couple of extra bucks if Im not going ECC!

BTW Thanks for your posts!!

Matt

 

[addiarmadar]

If you are planning to get more memory it is a good idea to get memory that is as close to the ones you have in your machine. If you have ECC already might as well and get more ECC. If you really want the performance then losse the ECC and go with straight non-ecc.

F-DISK-Format-Reinstal DO DA!! DO DA!!