K7S5A Memory

[j.m@talk]

Do I get 2100 or 2700?

Decisions decisions

The book doesnt seem to advise one way or the other???:t

[deadkenny]

Definitely PC2100, since PC2700 will be a total waste. Only reason to get PC2700 would be if your plan is to only use that board for a short time, and then transfer the DDR to another system in the near future.

[j.m@talk]

Excellent "Simpson" The cheaper option "I Like it" :p

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[chaskuss]

PC2100 is DDR 266 memory. This is the maximum front side bus speed for your motherboard. I've built 5 machines using this board. The PC2700 memory is DDR 333. The K7S5A M/B doesn't support front side buss speeds that high. The PC2700 memory will work in your machine, BUT it will only run at 266 mhz, so it would be a waste of money. (Unless of course, you plan to buy a new motherboard soon which supports DDR 333. Personally I think that this would be a waste. AMD's CPUs currently don't support DDR333.

[Peter M]

... and here's another guy who can't keep CPU front side bus and RAM bus apart.

CPUs don't "support" RAM, not at all. Chipsets do.

That said, SiS 735 does not run the RAM bus at 166 MHz, so "DDR333" RAM will be run at 133 too ("DDR266").

regards, Peter

[j.m@talk]

So the plan is 2X 512's say I keep them for 12 months
then change my K7S5A will this memory then be regarded
as Microscopic?

:t

[deadkenny]

Current Althon's are '266' FSB, so running the memory at '333' will be async and you won't realize the full benefit in terms of performance. For example KT333 boards show about 5-10% performance boost running PC2700 vs. PC2100. The SiS 745 shows 0-5% increase (the SiS chipset doesn't handle async as well as the Via). However, AMD now appears to be planning on a '333' FSB AthlonXP processor. If you think you might go that route, then PC2700 RAM just might make sense in your situation. PC3200 DDR will probably be standard by then, but again since the processor will be at most FSB '333', running async '400' DDR will not give you full bang for your buck. Personally, I would suggest you just get the cheaper PC2100 DDR for now, and not try to 'guess' what future technological developments will bring. Who knows, in 12 months you might be dying for the new P5 running DDRII memory?

[j.m@talk]

Excellent "Simpson" The cheaper option "I Like it"

Post Sponsored by: Monty Burns