2 Gigs of RAM - best solution ?

[catsailor2]

I am considering either the Shuttle AK35GT or the Abit KR7A as they both offer 4 DIMM slots.

The idea is to buy 2 x 512 MB now, and the same amount at a later time. Now, after a lot of searching through reviews etc. I have conflicting information concerning the need for registered (buffered) RAM, if I want to fill all 4 DIMM slots eventually.

Some reviews say the mobos took basically every combination they threw at them, some were talking about the need for single sided RAM sticks, the manufacturer's sites only tell me: up to 3 Gig unbuffered and up to 4 Gig buffered RAM supported, which in my case (512 MB sticks, since nobody apparently uses/sells 1 Gig sticks) would boil down to 1,5 vs. 2 Gig, I guess.

To make long story short: If I want 2 Gigs of RAM, do I have to bite the bullet and buy buffered RAM sticks or is this not really necessary? Does anybody have experience with 1 Gig sticks? Does anyone here have a stable 2 Gig RAM system up and running ?

Any hints appreciated,

TIA

:rolleyes:

[Sterling_Aug]

First question is WHY do you need that much RAM?

I had a system last month with 1.5 GBytes but I failed to notice any improvements or benefits what-so-ever. I took out 1 GB and sold it on Ebay.

[catsailor2]

I need it for video editing, which eats up a LOT of RAM in no time.

:cool:

[kingofa]

the next question would be, what OS are you running?....if its anything less than win2000, whats the point?

[catsailor2]

I'm running W2k.

:rolleyes:

[bmxer]

i dont think that u need the buffered ram

[jvanwin]

i don't think there you can buy buffered/unbuffered RAM - it is a limitation of the mobo. at least that is how i understand it. the mobo will only accept 3.5 gigs RAM the other .5 that you would have (if you put all 1 gig sticks in) you would loose. i suggest putting in 4 x 512 (if you really do need all that) to get 2 gigs, and you shouldn't have a problem with buffered/unbuffered problem.:cool: