IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN MEMORY GRADES?

[ShortDahRi]

I'm building a 1.1 GHZ T-Bird with a KT7-RAID Mobo. I wanted to purchase my 256MB PC133 Ram but some say that the low, mid or high grade ram is not compatible or not recommended for AMD Chips. Is this true or can i run the low, mid or high grade ram? Should i stick with CAS2 or CAS3 latency ram? I don't plan on overclocking my system in anyway. Please help.

[NDC]

Generic memory will run fine on systems using AMD chips from my experience. As for the compatibility issue, I couldn't tell you, because I'm not using that particular mainboard. Compatibility will vary depending on the mainboard. My buddy got a Generic 256MB memory Module for his Dell system, and no go on the compatibility. He ended up sending it back for a different brand.

Get CAS2 if the rest of your memory are CAS2.... On second thought, get CAS2 even if you have CAS3 Memory Modules in your system now. It will do you better in the long run.... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 12-27-2000).]

[Roy]

CAS Latency is the number of clock cycles after a request for data until valid data is available. Since you don't plan to overclock, you probably never will notice the difference between the settings. So there's no reason to pay extra for CL=2.

[NDC]

Actually, there is a reason to pay more for CAS2 Vs.CAS3 from what this here shows.... What do you think, Roy?


CAS2 Vs. CAS3
http://www.tweakmax.com/html/cas/cas-2.cfm

[ShortDahRi]

Anyone know where i can find out which ram are compatible with a ABIT KT7-RAID Motherboard? Thanks for the posts.

[Warthog]

My buddy got a Generic 256MB memory Module for his Dell system,

awwwwwwwwwwww ****....I just ordered generic 256 today for my Dell system!!!!!!! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif I suppose I could send it back, but I don't want to have to pay $50 more for high quality memory http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif

Warthog

[Fingers]

Crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com/index.asp) offers a list of their memory that is compatible with each motherboard.

Here's the link for the Abit KT7-Raid. (http://www.crucial.com/index.asp?model=KT7-RAID&x=13&y=12)

Crucial may make the finest memory available. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Roy]

NDC ~ I think the 17.9% FPU/ or 18.3% CPU/Memory Bandwidth difference at 133MHz FSB (or 17.3% & 17.5% @ 100) is something "you probably never will notice".

[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 12-27-2000).]

[NDC]

Roy

Yeah, I guess you might have a point there, Roy. Personally, I've noticed a small difference in Photoshop CAS2 Vs, CAS3. But it appears that it does make a difference in other applications from what I hear in SysOpt, a difference of about 20%! ... I heard it especially makes a difference on RC5.


Warthog

The memory module that didn't work on his Dell system was a generic memory from www.pricewatch.com. (http://www.pricewatch.com.) He bought the "House Brand" just incase you want to know....

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 12-27-2000).]

[Warthog]

Oh good! That means there is a chance that it will work. I bought the uhhhhhhh generic Generic brand http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Thanks!

Warthog

[codybear]

rc5 uses the idle cpu cycles and has nothing to do with memory at all...just a note here

[NDC]

rc5 uses the idle cpu cycles and has nothing to do with memory at all...just a note here

I have no idea about that.. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Not too much into cracking Rc5's... just something that I read here by Otheos:

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum9/HTML/002765.html

[ShortDahRi]

Hey Fingers,

Thanks for the info on the compatible list at Crucial.

Hey you guys think if i get a Micron CAS3 256MB ram chip i should be ok? Is using 2 128MB ram chips any different than one 256MB chip (other than occupying another slot)?

[Roy]

A 256 likely costs more than two 128s. That's the only difference I can see.

Have a look at The Memory Man (http://www.memman.com) . I've bought from them and they have a range of very good RAM. Maybe better prices than Crucial, assuming you aren't going for generic or name-brand via PriceWatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) .

NDC ~ I agree that RAM-intensive rendering is the type of thing that shows up the difference.

[Fingers]

I just bought 128MB PC-133 CAS2 from Crucial for $77.39 and they're offering free 2nd Day shipping throught the holidays. That's a pretty good deal for top-notch memory that your sure is going to work. IMHO