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DDR-2 3200 vs. 4200?

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iqwertyi

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2004
So, I found this deal on a DDR2 3200 1 Gig Memory (512 x 2) for like $150.

I notice that a 512 DDR2 4200 goes for like $140.

So, my question is, would I be better off with a Gig of 3200 Memory or 512 MB of 4200 Memory.

It will be for an Intel 550 Processor. I don't game much, but would like to be able to handle them when/if I do play once in a while. I do back up movies a lot and do a lot of CAD work.

Thanks for your advice in advance.
 
Just found out that the deal for the 3200 was not DDR2.

But for future references, I'd like to know which would be better.
 
i haven't seen any benches for DDR2 and DDR @ the same speed, so if you can pull some up from anatec or whatever sites that do benches, then you can make the decision.
 
I bought some cheap used Samsung DDR2-3200 and slapped them into my Abit AA8XE mobo running in dual channel mode. These are single sided modules and use BGA chips, so I guessed they would O/C pretty good and I was right.

Rated specs are DDR2-400 and 3-3-3-8 at 1.8v, but I have them running at DDR2-533 and 4-4-4-8 at 1.9v. Kids, that's PC2-4200 speed for the price of PC2-3200 RAM. Pretty good stuff, I'm impressed.

I even hit 275 FSB using 4-4-4-8 timings and 1.9v in dual channel (but, I didn't stress test them at that speed). Maybe more voltage and/or relaxing the timing again might squeeze more out of them.

From what I've seen, most DDR2 RAM overclocks well. If they are rated CAS3 at PC2-3200 speed, then they will do close to PC2-4200 with relaxed timings. Same with PC2-4200 RAM, they will usually do PC2-5400 speed with relaxed timings. Definitely get two sticks for dual channel, preferably 2X512.
 
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