Need opinions on ram upgrade. Add a 3rd stick?

[Coyote]

OK current rig is in sig.

I'm considering moving to 1 gig for gaming purposes, should I:

1) Purchase a third stick of 512MB. This stick will be as close as possible to existing 256MB 3200LL. I.e., 512MB of 3200LL, or

2) Sell current ram and get two sticks of Corsair VS PC3200.

Both options appear to cost about the same (not including money from sale of existing two sticks). Am having doubts about the benefit in games of the expensive LL stuff. I figure my NB holds back my FSB OC anyway. In otherwords,I figure the VS ram wil get just as high, only with higher timings/latencies.

So still wanna OC. I don't think I'll be ready to replace mobo/cpu any time soon. Would rather blow $ on a 6800GT etc. cuz I'm a gamer.

Figure I'll need to up the OC as time goes by and I fall further behind


Your thoughts?

THanks


Mobile XP 2600+ (11X215)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win2K sp4

 

[BrentUnitedMem]

Are these correct:

1) 512MB + 256MB + 256MB
or
2) 2x 512MB

Setup 2 always offers better performance, especially for dual channel.

Some chipsets will allow you to run dual channel on three modules, but most require memory pairs. Besides, you get better performance if you fill up the memory slots completely (fyi: a 256MB module normally only fills half of the slots)

____________________________________________________
"Memory with lifetime warranty? So, whose lifetime is that?"

 

[Coyote]

Yes, those two choices are correct.

The nForce2 mobo's will run DC with 3 sticks. But sounds like any FSB OC will be less than what can be achieved with just 2.

Not sure I understand your last sentance about filling up all the slots and the fyi regarding 256MB sticks.

Thanks

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X215)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win2K sp4

 

[BrentUnitedMem]

I'll have to dig up the source later, but:

Two double sided modules perform better than two single sided modules.

Two double sided modules per channel is the best memory setup.

____________________________________________________
"Memory with lifetime warranty? So, whose lifetime is that?"
<A HREF="http://www.brentcrowley.com/" target="_new">homepage</A>

 

[BrentUnitedMem]

The slot is the physical slot on the motherboard where the memory modules are inserted. A slot can normally address two banks. And a double sided memory modules is normally composed of 2 banks, whereas a single sided module is composed of 1 bank.

____________________________________________________
"Memory with lifetime warranty? So, whose lifetime is that?"
<A HREF="http://www.brentcrowley.com/" target="_new">homepage</A>

 

[Coyote]

Hey thanks guys.

About the double v single sided modules. Looks like I had misunderstood, or read bad data cuz I thought these NF2 mobo's OC'd better with the 256MB sticks.

I think I'll go on the hunt to find the same exact type 512MB stick to match with the current 2 sticks. Failing that, I may just sell the current 2 and get a gig of Corsair Value Select. I can use the VS in a 64bit setup that I'll prolly move to in a year.

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X215)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win2K sp4

 

[Coyote]

Hey Wusy!

What am missing about the corsair VS?

I see it in a lot benchies for the 64bit rigs. Thought it was still pretty good stuff. Oh, maybe I'll go do a search to see who's been dissing the Corsair

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X215)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win2K sp4

 

[Coyote]

K,

230 mhz for the Kingston huh. But dang it, I thought the Kingston value stuff wasn't a sure thing on the NF7's. Oh well off to search again!

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X215)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win2K sp4