computer memory question

[SUBMAN1]

I think your Athlon is the 200 MHz FSB, DDR400, PC3200 type by the way. I heard there was a 333 3200 at one point, but I've never seen one.

You will se absolutely '0' speed improvement. The 3200 memory can clock in at 200 MHz FSB (400 MHz if you count the rising and falling clock cycle and being able to do a transaction on either end), but if your BUS is running at 166 Mhz (333 Mhz DDR), so add ing 3200 memory to a 166 bus will make it run at 2700 speeds. But if you have a 200 MHz, you have to use 3200 based memory if you plan to run your CPU at normal speed.

-S

PS. 2700 memory will not run on a 200 MHz based system, which is probably what you have.

PPS. Had to edit this one - noticed that you probably have a 200 MHz based system.

[AVGWarhawk]

@subman1

I will have to check for sure what sticks I have but with that said, would it be best to just add a 1 gig along with a 512 stick of the same memory type for better performance?

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

@subman1

I will have to check for sure what sticks I have but with that said, would it be best to just add a 1 gig along with a 512 stick of the same memory type for better performance?

More memory is always better. Doesn't help on a 32 bit system to go past 3 GB since you can only use extra memory beyond that point for the Windows kernel, but on an XP box, I'd not go anywhere less than 1.5 GB for the games today. On SHIV, you will notice a marked improvement with more memory, especially in the loading screens. 1 GB is just not enough anymore.

ONe thing I forgot to mention - if you have a dual channel system, you must used matched memory to get the full benefit out of it. That allows 4 transactions per clock cycle instead of the DDR (Stands for double data rate) 2 transactions per clock cycle.

3200 in a dual channel system can have a peak bandwidth of 6.4 GB/sec. Pretty fast for normal memory.

-S

PS. The way a dual channel system works is that it hits each module indpendantly in parallel. It is kind of like a RAID 0 drive system. In a single clock cycle, you hit both RAM modules independantly, so you can do 2 transactions on the first, and 2 transactions on the second, resulting in a total of 4 transactions, effectively doubling the normal RAM throughput - this is why you need 2 matched memory modules - they need to be the same size and same timing - preferably modules made from the same batch or manufactured together at the exact same time.

[AVGWarhawk]

Well that is the thing. I have two 512 sticks of memory. I think PC2700. So it would be OK to install 1 gig stick of PC2700 and 512 stick of PC2700 this configuration should work OK giving me 1.5 RAM?

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Well that is the thing. I have two 512 sticks of memory. I think PC2700. So it would be OK to install 1 gig stick of PC2700 and 512 stick of PC2700 this configuration should work OK giving me 1.5 RAM?

Yes. But, if your system is dual channel enabled, this RAM will not work in dual channel and it will make you single channel only if you install it, effectively bring you back down to 2 transactions per clock cycle. Not a big deal though because this is fast enough. The benefits of more memory outweigh any negatives imposed here.

I doubt your memory that is installed is 2700 - that is if you are running at 3200 speeds. That is unless it has a heat spreader on it. The Athlon 3200 + XP's were all if not almost all running with a 200 MHz BUS and at 3200 speeds.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Yes. But, if your system is dual channel enabled, this RAM will not work in dual channel and it will make you single channel only if you install it, effectively bring you back down to 2 transactions per clock cycle. Not a big deal though because this is fast enough. The benefits of more memory outweigh any negatives imposed here.

I doubt your memory that is installed is 2700 - that is if you are running at 3200 speeds. That is unless it has a heat spreader on it. The Athlon 3200 + XP's were all if not almost all running with a 200 MHz BUS and at 3200 speeds.

Any idea how to find out if it is running at dual channels? Effectively I originally purchased the computer with 512 and just added similar RAM to make 1 gig. My plan is to remove one of the 512 and add a 1 gig in this slot.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Any idea how to find out if it is running at dual channels? Effectively I originally purchased the computer with 512 and just added similar RAM to make 1 gig. My plan is to remove one of the 512 and add a 1 gig in this slot.

It should tell you upon posting, that is if you don't have any graphic logo coming on to cover it up. If your board supports it, it will automatically be enabled if you computer thinks it can be. The first clue to finding out is to look in your motherboard manual. If you've lost it, get the motherboard model number and download a copy of the manual off the manufacturers site.

By the way, the only chipsets to really support dual channel only came from ATI or NVidia, so if you have a crossfire chipset (unlikely) or an NForce chipset up to rev 2 (Rev 3 I think was Athlon 64 only), then you have dual channel. If you are using a VIA chipset or soemthing else, then you probably don't have dual channel.

-S