Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > RAM Upgrade
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Kinane   09-06-2004 at 06:45:19 PM

Hi,
I want to upgrade my ram, at the moment i have 512 PC2100 samsung ram which needs to be upgraded. I am looking at getting 1GB of PC3200 dual channel probably corsair or OCZ. I am not sure if my mobo supports dual channel ram, its a MSI KT6 Detla, if it doesnt would a single stick of 1gb ram be better? also how much better is dual channel the normal ram? I was also wondering if the 2500+ mobile is alot better than the 2500+ normal cpu as i wanted to upgrade to that and then OC. thanks for any help you can give


If i buy some PC3700 ram will i still be able to use it on the boardalthough the board doesnt support 466?<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by kinane on 09/06/04 03:30 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

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Coyote   09-06-2004 at 09:47:51 PM
- 0 +

1. Doesn't look like your mobo supports dual channel. I checked MSI site here <A HREF="http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=474" target="_new">http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=474</A>

2. If no DC, spending extra for ram in DC kit is prolly a waste of $s

3 Check prices/timings of 1 gig sticks versus 2 X 512MB. I haven't looked lately, my recollection was that 1 gig stick ran slower and cost more than 2 X 512MB. Could've changed though

4. I have both the desktop 2500+ and a mobile 2600+ (stepping IQYHA). My mobile is WAAY better. Plus the new 2500+ Barton have a locked multiplier, while the mobile doesn't.

You can get guaranteed steppings on the mobile from excaliberpc.com

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X200)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win98SE

Reply to Coyote
sparky853   09-06-2004 at 09:51:30 PM
- 0 +

You would be better to get 2x512MB RAM, IIRC, its cheaper that way anyways..As for performance difference between Single Channel and Dual Channel, it makes a bigger difference with Pentium CPUs as they are more memory bandwidth hungry.

The mobile XP2500 will overclock a lot better than the XP 2500 beacuse the multipliers are unlocked.

As for the MSi KT6, there are several versions, but my guess would be that you have the standard version, and it doesn't appear to have Dual Channel capabilities.

You can use PC3700, it will just run at the speed of your FSB. Unless you plan on overclocking past the 200MHz mark, PC3200 would be plenty.

XP2800+, Abit NF7, 1GB Dual-Channel DDR333, ATI R9800PRO 128MB, SB Live! 5.1 Digital, TT PurePower 420W, Samsung 120GB, Maxtor 120GB, LG DVD+-R/RW, WIN2K PRO SP4

Reply to sparky853
Kinane   09-06-2004 at 11:11:39 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for the help, i think i am gonna get a 2500 mobile and 1gb of pc3200 or pc3700 ram (for some reason the pc3700 is just as cheap) and start overclocking. When the mobile is clocked to 3200 speeds would it match one in a test? Im trying to boost my comp a bit before HL2 comes out but my radeon 8500 128mb just aint gonna do it :)
Would you recomend the X800 or the geforce 6800?

Reply to Kinane
Kinane   09-06-2004 at 11:35:41 PM
- 0 +

I have found some kingston value ram for £54.99 PC3200 184Pin DIMM RAM NON-Parity CL3. is that a good price, also would a couple of sticks of that do for all the overclocking needs of the mobile?

Reply to Kinane
Mr5oh   09-07-2004 at 06:16:10 AM
- 0 +

For overclocking I would honestly use faster RAM than PC3200. I bought 3200 for my system, and at this point kind of wish that I had gone faster. You should maybe look at Mushkin, alot of their RAM is CL of 2.5 instead of 3.

Going with faster RAM will help ensure you don't have to overclock your RAM. This is important especially as cheaper RAM gennerally doesn't overclock all that well.

As you said PC3200 and 3700 are about the same price, so you might as well get the faster stuff, maybe even look at 4000.

If you are in a relatively cool enviroment the 2500 will quickly meet the limit of that 3200 RAM, and you will be forced to overclock your RAM some, to match the FSB of the CPU.

My Desktop: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html</A>
Overclocking Results: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html</A>

Reply to Mr5oh
Kinane   09-07-2004 at 10:29:26 PM
- 0 +

I have been looking at 1gb of dc corsair RAM PC3700 platinum for £160. Its timings are 3-4-4-8, is this good? i know nothing about ram timings. also is that a good price?

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