Dual DDR tech.. I need *two* sticks?

[funperro]

moderator: I accidently posted this in the motherboard section first.. please can you delete that copy?

Dual DDR tech.. I need *two* sticks?
From what I understand, do take advantage of dual DDR, I need to have two sticks of memory, correct? If so, is it a substantial increase in performance with 2 sticks rather than 1? (512 vs 1024)

I plan on building a system with an abit nf7.. I'm trying to determine what I should buy for RAM. I want to get something with PC3200 specs... any recommendations?

Thanks -

[bchur83]

Yes you need 2 sticks for Dual Channel. But....On an AMD system, it only equates to a 5-10% performance increase. On a P4 system, however, it almost doubles your ram Bandwidth. In your case, it may not be that important to run in DC. I don't have a DC AMD system, so I can't say for sure if you would notice a difference or not, but I am sure someone here can tell you. IMO DC on an AMD system isnt a neccesity.

[MisterEd]

Whether you need a PC3200 or not depends upon the CPU. If it has a FSB of 333MHz then it is better to run the RAM in sync at 333MHz also. That means using PC2700. If your CPU has a FSB of 400MHz then PC3200 would be best.

Two things would change this:
1. You are going to overclock to 400MHz
2. You are going to upgrade to a 400Mhz CPU in the next year

In these cases the PC3200 would be best.

[wannaoc]

You are thinking of Duel Channel not DDR. If you are using DDR ram (which I'm sure you are) then you are using "DDR technology" but to use duel channel you have to have two sticks. If I remember right with duel channel gives about a 5-10% increase in memory performance. Not huge but everything helps.

I would say get some OCZ PC3200EB if you want 3200 but I would go for the PC3500 EB just because they are speed binned a little better and will yield a better overclock.

[funperro]

thanks for the suggestions, guys. As for the suggestion I buy OCZ PC3200EB ($144 - newegg)... whats the advantage of this over, for example, the $100 OCZ PC3200 'premier series' stick? I plan on overclocking, by the way, but not to the extreme of needing to install new funky cooling systems (maybe I'll switch out the fan for a new one, but that's it).

Or cheaper yet, how about the $87 mushkin PC3200 stick on newegg?

and to MisterEd:

I'm actually only gonna put in a 2000+ or 2400+ rated at 266FSB. So I won't be anywhere near 400. What do you recommend based on this?


Thanks

[wannaoc]

The Premier series is kind of like the value series of OCZ as far as I know so it most likely won't give a decent overclock. The timings seem a little loose for an AMD system and won't offer you the high performance of something like the EB or rev. 2 even.

I see you said you are going to put in a 2400+ and run it at 266? Why keep it so low? With the ram modules you are considering and the motherboard you have 200 FSB is a given. It will very easy for you to get 200 and even more so why not go for it. You won't need anything past the stock NB cooler for that FSB and most likely no volt mods will be needed. At least try for it since you are going to spend all this money on good parts. :)

[overXposure]

that is the first time i have heard the statement about DC not making as much of a difference on an AMD setup ... i am in the process of selecting memory for a build as well and am torn between DC memory .. or just one stick of memory so i am open for upgrades later ...

could anyone provide some more information on the AMD / DC thing?

[wannaoc]

No in AMD it does make a difference its just not the huge thing most people harp about.

[corrosion231]

I told you all of this in the other thread you started.

[Silent Buddha]

Dual-channel efficiency on nForce2 chipset really isn't that high so it only gives 5-10% increase like said. The main reason for OCZ EB is to keep tRCD at 2. OCZ PC3200 EB is probably your best bet. You will be able to easily oc to 200 FSB if no other components keep you back. Even then you will have additional headroom with the memory.

[O.C.CaTaLYsT]

what about the mushkin 222 special with winbond BH-6?

[wannaoc]

No matter what the sticks are there is still the same performance gained in duel channel. While the initial performance of those sticks will be higher than others there is still ony a 5-10% increase from what they are in single. I hope that answers your question O.C.CaTaLYsT.

[overXposure]

it answers my questons as well thank you ...