Computer Parts

[Infin8Cyn]

Depends, my motherboard uses DDR400 (PC3200) Ram which is faster than PC2700 (DDR333). There's even newer technologies too. All depends on what your motherboard will support.

[edge]

You don't *need* a 64bit CPU, and the speed of the memory really has nothing to do with what type of CPU you use. What you need to be concerned about is how fast your memory can operate in comparison to bus speed. The closer the match, the less the bottleneck, the better the preformance.

If you can afford it, go for a good name like Crucial or Corsair. I've heard some good comments about Ocz memory, as well as Patriot, but I've never personally owned any made by either of thoese companies.

[SunTzu]

I thought that you needed atleast 3200 memory to be able to use HT if you decided to go for a P4?

[KaymeeraUnleashed]

Not true - I'm running a 32-bit HT, with 2700 pieces...

[edge]

The processor doesn't know anything about the memory, and vice versa.

The communication between components is controlled by the motherboard, not the individual parts.

It may be reccomended to use PC3200 or above, since it will yeild a better preformance, but the only thing that really determines what kind of memory you can use, is what the motherboard was built for.

[T8y8]

Yeah, it's a mobo thing. I'm on (OCed) 2700 sticks.

[Deacon]

Why is RAM so difficult for people to grasp as a concept?

Think of RAM like a blackboard. It does nothing. Instead, stuff is done to it. How fast can data be written and read from the blackboard before it starts to break down? That's the measurement of how "fast" RAM is. RAM itself has no "speed". It is not a processor. Instead, it simply has a limit regarding how fast it can be used before it starts to have problems. DDR333 means you can reliably run up to a 333MHz FSB with that memory in place. DDR400 means it can actually be run as high as 400MHz. But again, it's just a limit of performance. Putting DDR400 RAM in a system that calls for DDR333 doesn't make your computer any faster any more than getting a highly rated blackboard makes you do math faster on it.

[Majickal1]

Ok I'm a bit confused. The Motherboard and Processor that someone linked to above look good, but is everyone sure they will work together(Sorry, I'm that new at this). Also, after consulting one of my friends I have decided to look online for RAM but probably buy it from somehwere in town if it isn't morer expensive. If anyone can recommend a good brand that comes in 1k sticks I would be appreciative. Also, is 4 gig too much RAM? Last, how much should I spend on a case?

[Deacon]

Christ.

Here, how about this? Give us a dollar figure. Tell us what your budget is. We'll try to suggest combinations that will work well for that amount.

[Majickal1]

Probably about $800-$1,000. Sorry, I'm a high school Junior and I've always been interested in this but haven't had the resources until very recently to leanr anything.

[Infin8Cyn]

Seriously, did you read the big stickied thread on this topic in the Computer section? It's written for THIS purpose.

[edge]

You should be fine with the combo mentioned above. These guys know their shit, so it's safe to say you can trust them.

There's not really such a thing as too much memory. There is a point though where you have to say "I just don't need that much". Really, 1GB of memory is more than sufficient.

You need to be careful about saying things like "1k" of memory. That will confuse sales people. If you're only going to have 1k, you must have traveled back in time to 1981.

Any of the memory brands mentioned above will have 1GB sticks available. Although, if your motherboard supports dual channel, you'd be better off getting two sticks of 512MB. On dual channel, don't get ripped off buying a "set" of sticks marked as "dual channel memory". Just buy two sticks of the same speed. This is controlled by the motherboard, not the memory (See Deacon's post above).

Chances are, it's going to be cheaper to buy online.

Also, if I can reccomend this, get a friend that you trust, and are absolutly sure that you know what he's doing to help you put it together Better safe than sorry!

[Deacon]

[quote="edge";p="591815"]Really, 1GB of memory is more than sufficient.[/quote]
That is an incorrect statement. There's no way you can say that. 512MB may be more than sufficient for some people. Some people may be struggling with 2GB. It totally depends on usage. For me, 1GB of memory was insufficient in some scenarios. I didn't always need it, of course, but there were some things I couldn't do easily without it (including run games with very high resolutions with a ton of textures and such on top of other processes using a bunch of memory, etc), so I added an extra gig for 2GB total. And now I've got enough breathing room to know I don't have to worry about it at this time.

I would suggest that you start with 1GB and move from there. If it turns out that it is indeed more than sufficient, great! If not, you can always add more.

[edge]

True

I was just assuming by the sounds of things that he isn't looking to do a ton of things at once. Most of the games that I play, I run at medium to high settings, and 1GB is enough, even running IM and web browsers in the background. But that's not very memory intensive stuff I guess...

In this case, assuming only makes an ass out of me

[Dr. Tower]

Also, there is such a thing as too much memory, but that has to do with the processor, operating system, and file system. Windows on a 32 bit processor can't use more than 4 gigs for the simple fact that it can't address higher than 4 gigs. It pretty much can't see it at all (at least that is what I seem to recall from my comp arch class).