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PC Memory Chips
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Pavel
Troll
Started Topics :
313
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8649
Posted : Oct 30, 2004 10:56
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Ok, i'm totally confused with the specs of these fellas.
What should i be looking for when i look for a memory chips for my new PC.
I think i'll take the 400Mhz ones but i have no clue what other terms in specs are telling me.
This is what i copied from Geil memory chips specs:
184pin, Non-ECC, Un-buffered, Industry Standard DDR memory modules.
GeIL 5ns 32x8 Density DDR Chip.
6 Layers Low Noises Shielded PCB.
Aluminum Heat Spreader.
Lifetime Warranty .
CAS 2.5 6-3-3 @ DDR400MHz PC3200,
2.55v-2.85V
Can someone explain the words?
If it's of any relevance i intend to buy:
Athlon64 3000+ on Gigabyte MoBo with 800Mhz or more bus.
And what are the companies that you recommend to buy from? I heard good words about: Geil, Kingston and Samsung.
Thanx in advance for anybody who'd bother to answer.
  Everyone in the world is doing something without me |
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Trip-
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
3239
Posted : Oct 30, 2004 12:36
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today it's become more tricky to buy memory.
The faster the memory, the better for you.
Not only the frequency bus dictates memory speed, but also the latency of the i/o operations.
CAS value as low as 2 is better for you too. A good memory chip can work better if overclocked than a bad chip.
There are many problems with incompatible memory chips with motherboards - allways get the certified by the mobo brand ones. (you can fine on their website)
Sometimes even a bad CPU can introduce errors in memory read/write - which might lead you think you got a bad memory. Let's hope you'll be fine.
Another problem is that with large memory chips like 512 or 1gb, the stability again is slippery - good brands give you better results anyhow.
Geil is a good choice.
OCZ or Corsair are also another choices.
use memtest86 to check memory stability and issues after you buy the PC.
Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA |
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ZilDoggo
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
663
Posted : Oct 30, 2004 13:58
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yeah palvel,. right choice,.
i'll explain a bit more maybe about the 'codes'
184 pins -> speaks for itself i think., it's the connection type
Non-ecc -> has no error correction (can be handy with unstable ram but can also slow down)
un-buffered -> mechanism to stabilize ram (depends on the actual ram chips themselfs)
5ns -> access time (time before ram responds)
32x8 -> ram chip configuration (propably 8 chips of 32 megawords (could be megabytes to, i'm getting old  ) each i think)
6 Layers Low Noises Shielded PCB -> type of pacaging of the chips (the black chips things, they are actually only the pacaging for the real chips, which are very small and deep inside the black thingies)
CAS 2.5 6-3-3 -> these are the timings of how the memory chips are accessed., it's internal stuff from the memory bank., it would take some time to explain so i'll just say that the lower these numbers the faster the ram.,
DDR400MHz -> clock speed of the ram (DDR=double data rate, so with a buss clock of 200mhz the memory will be clocked at 400mhz ., this is because it will react when the 200mhz signal goes up but also when the clock signal goed down.,
also, if your motherboard has 'Dual Channel' you can place another identical memory thing on the motherboard and you will have double memory speed (well, for bulk transfers that is)
this is because the memory controllers will interweave the clocks from the two (identical) memory things.
so the clock signal sent to one memory will fall exactly between the other memory., the two memories will work in tandem.,
so if one memory will work at 400mhz (2x200mhz from reacting to both sides of the clock pulse) then now the memory as a whole will seem to work as a 800mhz memory (2x from the interleaved clocks , 2x from double data rate, 200mhz clock)
ok.,., still with me ?
last one: pc3200 this is just the industry standard name for this type of ram. access times and CAS timing can vary a bit from product to product but PC3200 is what you want in a 800mhz dual channel DDR mothreboard.
so, what you need to check is what the exact memory buss speed is for your mobo.
if it's 800mhz then it propably means that the memory controller wil output a 200mhz clock, and expects 2x DDR400 modules. ., (so, dual channel)
ooh and if you do the dual channel thing, check the mobo manual to see if you have to stick the memories in certain slots (like 1&3)
if it's more than 800mhz then maybe you can put in a pair of even faster ram modules.,
the more i think about it, just tell me the exact type of mobo., i'll look it up .,
because they can also say 400mhz or 200mhz instead of 800mhz but it means the same thing.,
"Thanx in advance for anybody who'd bother to answer."
no problem man
i use it to wake my brain up .,.,
you know, with all the smoking and stuff i wake up a bit hazy.,., 
greets.,
aka., |
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Pavel
Troll
Started Topics :
313
Posts :
8649
Posted : Oct 30, 2004 14:07
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Thanx a lot ZilDoggo and Trip. I kinda guessed what the names are applying to and seems like i was right.
Here comes the tricky question. Does it makes sense to go for the faster RAM responses? Will it really make a change when working with multiple VST instruments? Is there any good site with Audio benchmarks like they do for graphic cards with the newest games and toughest settings?
I'm really interested if i'll be really benefitted with faster response times and erroc corrections.
BTW, i saw that Gigabyte already manufactures 1533Mhz Mobo. Which is really really intense i think.
Everyone in the world is doing something without me |
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ZilDoggo
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
663
Posted : Oct 30, 2004 15:03
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wel, it depends on your mobo,.
if it can handle faster speeds then it can make sense., (but cpu is also a limiting factor)
so, you should check what the maximum speed is you can put in your mobo and go for that,. and buy quality ram like the brands geil and the ones Trip mentioned.,
it doesnt make sense to put faster ram in (well, MAYBE for stability) because the ram will be underclocked so it wont work as fast as it could.,
faster bus (and ram) will definitely help with vst's and stuff .,
this is because the very basic operation of a CPU is: get something from memory, do something with that, put it back to memory.,
so usually memory is accessed 2x for every CPU calculation,,. (it's a bit more complicated but this is the basics)
so memory (bus) speed has a heavy impact on the overall system speed., but so does the hard disk speed, fsb speed, cpu speed, etc
you wont get more out of your fast ram if the memory buss is slow.,
greets,.
aka,. |
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Pavel
Troll
Started Topics :
313
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8649
Posted : Mar 5, 2005 15:25
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Trip-
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
3239
Posted : Mar 5, 2005 17:14
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go with corsair - it will be good on ya.
Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA |
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XrTC
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
720
Posted : Mar 7, 2005 17:41
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i read on a site that memory modules based on Samsung chipsets are generally better and faster. i think it's the Samsung TCCD chips. i know OCZ has at least a model with these 'fast' samsung chips...
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Respect is earned, not demanded...
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http://www.myspace.com/xrtcmusic
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
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5380
Posted : Mar 8, 2005 01:39
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Fingax
Cosmic Station
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
1235
Posted : Mar 8, 2005 10:59
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These ones looks preety good ones..
ive gor 512 DDR ram on my Tashiba A40. im needing upgrade to at least 1000DDR like i have in my PC. Do you guys think this memory is suitble for me?
10x in advance
Boom |
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
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5380
Posted : Mar 8, 2005 18:28
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Pavel
Troll
Started Topics :
313
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8649
Posted : Mar 10, 2005 22:21
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Naaaaw, that's too pricey for me. I'll go for the value version.
BTW, will it work on older MoBo that supports only 266Mhz bus?
Everyone in the world is doing something without me |
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
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Posted : Mar 12, 2005 13:53
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Pavel
Troll
Started Topics :
313
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Posted : Mar 12, 2005 13:59
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Quote:
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On 2005-03-12 13:53, Colin OOOD wrote:
Yeah, you just won't get full performance.
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It's just a temporary step until i raise more money for a new mobo and a new AMD64.
It's just that my old memory chips are not well functioning right now and i want to replace them.
Everyone in the world is doing something without me |
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EYB
Noized
Started Topics :
111
Posts :
2849
Posted : Mar 12, 2005 14:12
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Pavel but when u wait to long it will be slower then maximal again. Computer stuff changes fast. So better built one pc finaly to a perfect one u like NOW. And then go for a complete NEW one 64bit. I discussed this several times with some friends who work for local pc-shops and in different forums and i also think it is the best way to go at the moment. There will be more big changes in the next version of computers. New motherboard formats/ agp->pci express/ new ram / 64 bit and much more so i give u the advise to buy ram that fits to ur mobo best (check the webpage of ur mobo) and save some bugs for ur next pc.
Peace m8
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