CAS 2 Memory... does it make an overclock more stable or doesn't it??

[dalva]

I currenlty have PC133 Generic CAS 3 RAM on my PIII700@1008Mhz. I can run 3dmark2000 for hours (looped) the computer never crashed, play all the games I want (Quake3:Team Arena, NFS: Unleashed, UT, etc) never crashes.

But sometimes when I turn the computer on .. I get as far as Windows and then my PC just hangs... so I have to manually reboot (pressing the reset button on my case) and then everything is ok. I work, play with the computer for hours and no freezing.

I am wondering if perhaps my CAS3 is having a problem keeping up with my overclocked processor.

If anyone has had similar problems, what did you do to resolve it???

Thanks for the help

[Tim-]

No, not really. As long as your MB is set up corresponding to your ram it shouldn't. However, if you are running cas3 ram with cas2 settings it can definitely make for some problems. All ram is not alike- some will allow you to run timings well beyond it's stated ratings, other ram may have trouble exceeding it's ratings at all.

The advantage to cas2 ram is performance. Many times a machine that is highly overclocked but running at cas3 will be outperformed by a machine at a lower cpu speed running at cas2. The slower ram timings make the cpu wait to use the memory and throughput suffers. It's like having a 400hp car and a 200hp car that are both limited to 55mph- in that context (running at 55mph) what's the point of the extra hp?

[dalva]

Thanks for the insight Tim, I will definitely save my money and buy some high performance CAS 2 RAM.

Which company makes the best CAS 2 RAM?? or does it really matter..

Thanks..

[Tim-]

So far I have bought a GB from Mushkin- their Rev 2 product and it has been great. I guess the Rev 3 is supposed to be even better. I have heard good things about Kingston "Tiny" ram- Micron and Crucial are also well regarded. Most of these manufacturers make different types- cas2 and cas3 so if the vendor doesn't know for sure what he is selling, find a vendor that does! PC Nut had some good deals on Mushkin not long ago. I have also bought Mushkin direct as well.