PC2100 tell me about it!

[webfoot2]

I found a great buy on Kingston 256MB PC2100 DIMM, but I'm not sure if this is what I need.
>I haven't bought the MBoard yet for my Christmas upgrade. So is there a great difference in system performance while running PC2100, PC2600, Etc? Thanks

[Bigjakkstaffa]

PC2700 will run at 166FSb and higher - PC2100 is for 133FSB.. having said that you could probably push up to 150 ish with it

PC2700 is only really ESSENTIAL if you are runing the new 166mhz FSB CPU's... however if its affordable it wouldnt hurt to ger the faster RAM

--Jakk:t

[tony_j15]

Well, if you get this ram, you have to make sure your new mobo will support it. What mobo are you getting? The 2700 is faster. Great difference? No, but every liitle bit helps.;)

[Terminator]

Just a tip. I ONLY buy Crucial(micron) ram. Kingston have a good rep so does Samsung. Buying so called generic ram in my opinion is a game of dice. Remember it is one of the most important parts of your system. PC2100=133MHz(266DDR),PC2700=166MHz (333DDR), and for the new KT400's I think the code is PC3200 (but not sure) is 200MHz(400DDR).
Pay the little extra for quality ram it's worth it.
PNY apparently make good chips as well but no experience of them so no idea.

Also as mentioned check your motherboard supports the ram as especially the larger ram modules (512MB+) use 64x4MB chips(I think) and alot of 'older' board don't support them.

Apparently my Crucial PC2100 will clock to 150MHz (300DDR) but I don't stress my system, I prefer stability over performance.


T

:t

[Giblet Plus!]

My "generic" pc2100 runs at 2700 speeds with relaxed timings, or 2100 with very aggressive timings.

I wouldn't count on getting lucky like I did. Just buy quality pc2700. I like samsung myself. :)

[webfoot2]

I just can't make a decision on the motherboard. The more I read the more confused I get. I wish someone would just say get this MBoard & this Memory, and have at least two more of you Guru's agree. I plan on upgrading to a AMD 2100XP and a MSI G4Ti4200 128MB. Now that part I know for sure( I think:) I might fool around with alittle OClocking, anyway its nice to have that option. Also I like the idea of being able to haved more than 4 IDE devices so Raid would be nice to have. I would like AGP 4X, USB 2.0, I wouldn't want to go over $150. Now will someone please jump out and tell me what MB & memory to buy?

[Giblet Plus!]

Okay:

Samsung pc2700

EP-8K5A2+


(or wait for good nforce 2 boards)

[webfoot2]

Now if we can get 2 more yes votes them I'm going shopping. OK I'll bite, when are these boards supposed to be out? This upgrade is for Christmas, so I could hold off for about 3 weeks. ...

[Giblet Plus!]

If it's for christmas, wait for the EpoX nforce 2. It should be out by then. No point buying a kt333 when nForce 2 is out. :p

You'll need two sticks of memory for the nForce 2 to work its best.

[webfoot2]

NForce 2 I like the sound of that. I doubt if their will be a review out in time. They have the nForce 2 out now, what do I look for the nForce 3 or maybe the nForce 2+ ??

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Just Nforce2. Dif co's make them its a chipset not a brand. So new its hard to say what brand is gonna make the best nforce2. We know about the chipset features, But they have to be properly implemented and not buggy, thats the mobo manufac.'s job. So thats still up in the air but most of the known O'clocking brands will be a safe bet. Anyhow they will kick **** you can be sure of that. These guys already more than got you covered on the ram. the big question you havent answered yet is----do you plan on a 166fsb cpu anytime soon? If not you can buy that ram alot latter for alot less $ when the prices drop. DDR prices are and keep going up up up! If you arent buying 1gig worth or somthing its a viable option. Some really good pc2100 will fit your moderate oclocking needs. From the sounds of it you arent going to be cranking her to the stars and using a peliter but dabbling a bit with it right? So save the $ get pc2100 for now and in a year or so when you go 166fsb get the good pc2700 or higher at way lower prices. Thats my opnion anyhow. Depends on how soon your thinking of a much higher fsb. Rasing the fsb 10mhz is no biggy. Going over 20 is more serious and takes better ram but also puts you at way more risk too. Way more. The avg. 10% is to be safe. Especially when new at it. The actually performance dif between 2700 and 2100 isnt really anything. It does however support the next size up cpu. Now a bigger dif would be between cas 2 and cas2.5! get cas 2 pc2100 and you wil get O.K. O'clocks out of it. I too prefer samsung chips. And the PNY ddr 2100 I got IS samsung chips. PNY only slaps them on the fab. This stuff runs cas 2 at fastest timings rock solid. Run memtest86 looped for hours not one error! this was on a Xp 1600+. But check the mem, PNY, kingston all those use others mem chips so it could be good or bad regardless of the name. PNY is sold about everywhere and at a good price. I got it cause I could read the mem chips BEFORE laying down $ and knew it was samsung (didnt give a rats **** about the PNY part) and it was cas 2. Woht, getting that. hehe. Good luck!;)

[missiveusa]

OK. I'll weigh in with EPoX 8K5A2 or the newer 8K9A2 (KT-400). I'd go for the KT-333 chipset. BIOS include the 1/5 divider, and EPoX combines value, speed, and stability. I'm still using my KT-266A-based EPoX 8KHA+. Great board, breaks 10K on 3DMark 2001 with a GeF4 4200 OC'd.

If you can afford it, get the PC 2700, since you can use it if you upgrade to a 333 MHz bus system. Crucial, Samsung are both good. Corsair XMS is premium, but you'll pay for it. Always choose CAS2 RAM over CAS 2.5.

Good hunting. The nVidia nForce2 chipset is about to be released. Asus is the first out with a board, and from all the reviews, it sounds like a winner. Two flavors of nForce2: intergrated graphics (GeF4 MX), and the less expensive AGP version. Avoid the MX intergrated graphixs if nForce2 is your choice.

[webfoot2]

I plan on buying the AMD 2100XP+ I take it that this chip will not work with 166FSB? I don't understand "when I upgrade to a 333Mhz bus system" I take it that this isn't out yet? I would like to get the most advanced MBoard for the 2100XP+ . I upgrade about every 2 years. As far as OCing, I would like to be able to play with it some, but not to the point of squeezing out the very last frame. I have read a couple of reviews on the NForce 2 and it doesn't sound that bad. Are these NForce 2 boards the new boards or do I wait for the next batch?
>
>I just got back from www.amd.com/ and it looks like the 2100XP+ will work with a 266FSB MBoard. I don't see where they recommend the NForce2. Boy, this old man is going into a fog bank, I hope someone leads him out. What I'm trying to say is there is someone home, but the lights are out. :D :confused:

[Bigjakkstaffa]

NO....

the 2100+ will run in the 333 board only at 166FSB stock, you can probably get it to run at 166 but you will be overclockign the CPU by doing so

Any Xp chip will run fine on 333 boards

--Jakk:t

[webfoot2]

Now lets see...... I think I'll wait untill about Dec 15 for some more NForce boards to come out, if that happens and there is a NForce board that really stands out then I'll go that route, if not then I'll go for the kt-333 chipset in a Epox board, with cas2 Samsung memory. Now does that make any since?

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Yeah same here - im waiting to see how the Kt400a's will shape up - if they pants i'll go for a 333 based board instead

--jakk:t

[missiveusa]

You won't go wrong with a KT-333 chipset, Samsung memory and a GeF4 4200-4400. All provide quality and value. Go over here (http://www.amdforums.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=9) to get a line on EPoX. Remeber, this is a forum for people with problems!

[webfoot2]

Sorry, I didn't know that this forum was restricted to people with problems. I was under the impression that it was also for a place to learn, exchange ideas, and to enjoy are selfs and have a little fun along the way. ;) webfoot2

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Its not just for ppl with problems - how you work that out??

This is a discussion for all things computer - not exclusively coputer problems

This threads okay ;)

--Jakk:t

[webfoot2]

Can someone tell me if this memory is cu2 or what?
>- 256MB DDR PC2700 333MHz (PWS)
BZP# - DDR256EPC2700CSSP
>
>It also says that it's Not High Density, is this good or bad?

[Giblet Plus!]

Who makes that memory? If it's samsung, you're good.

I'm not sure what you mean by "high density". Probably doesn't matter, but I'm not sure.

[webfoot2]

So if you buy Samsung then it's cu2?


Here is something you guys might be interested in. It's not about memory.
>
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=915798

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Cu2???? Whats that a new mem term? hehe. I think you mean Cas . Latenency 2 or commenly called cas2. Specs that matter are RAS/cas/tas but usually only cas is staited, bummer huh. Anyhow cas is, The time taken for data sent to ram and back to systems round trip. Thus 3 being one cycle longer than 2. So 3 is 1/3 slower than 2 but 2.5 vs. 2 is not a really big deal. Anyhow Samsung is generally fast chips. NEC is my other favorite for oclocking and speed/reliablility. Neither has ever let me down yet.

High density .... ok here you go. It mean that the chips are higher density as in less chips needed for same amount of mem. this is commenly called single sided mem (high density). This is newer stuff and some older mobo's had issues addressing this type of mem. A old problem now not. But try to keep either all hgih or low density avoid mox and match as somtimes mobo and othe ream sticks dont agre to it. Low density is double sided. Ram chips are on both sides. Lower density per chip (ie less mem). Hope that helped explain to ya.;)

Im being so colorfull today hehe.....

[webfoot2]

Hey! I meant Cas, but I know you don't believe me. hehehe anyway that helped a lot. Thanks

[mcool61]

I've had good luck with Pny also although the last stick i bought, I peeled the sticker off & there was an infineon sticker under it. Is Infineon any good? Seems ok so far. Been running pc133 @ 150 for over a month. Will say K byte memory truly bites, i'd stay away from it. Allways hear good things about corsair.
Having said all that I also had 1 generic that I couldn't kill. I have killed a stick of pny. I'm pretty sure it was abused though.

[genesound]

Numerous nForce2 boards are out now. Link me. (http://www.pricewatch.com/) Do a search for nforce2. nForce2 rocks.
I have an nForce(1) Asus board and it's very stable.
I used to always use cas2 generic ram, but I had a good relashionship with the vendors at the LA computer fair (biggest show in CA) and could always take it back. Now that I live in Dallas area, I just buy Crucial, and must say I'm very pleased with them. :t

edit... had link trouble

[webfoot2]

Yes, but do you OC?

[Someone Stupid]

PNY makes average RAM in my experiences with it. I wouldn't stick it into a system that I wanted to get the best timings out of. I'd go with Crucial, Corsair, or even Nanya before PNY.

[genesound]

Originally posted by webfoot2
Yes, but do you OC?
Actually, some of my pcs are OCd, but not that nForce1 board. It has no option, but I knew that when I bought it. It's a special purpose computer in a pretty small case, convenient to carry and so far very reliable. I use it for audio work.
And of course the laptop P4 runs 1.7G stock.
I do have a PIII 1.4G @1.75G (with four scsi 10k drives in 0+1 dual channel raid), and a PIII700M @ 840M though. :t

[strat1]

I have the
MSI KT3 (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=341&MODEL=MS-6380E ) and it has many of the extras you mentioned-- it has been a great board so far!!! Very easy to OC too! I have Crucial 2700 and it is very stable up to 355

Supports Socket A (Socket 462) for up too XP 2700 AMD® Athlon™ - FSB @200/266/333 MHz -
AGP 4X
Integrated USB 2.0 controller
100/133/166 MHz clocks are supported.*
Promise 20276 On-Board (KT3 Ultra2-R, KT3 Ultra2-BR) - Supports ATA133 RAID 0 or 1

[webfoot2]

Well I have decided to take the advice of Giblets and Gravy Plus :D Then when Anandtech post's his review of nForce2 boards I will go shopping. This will be my Christmas upgrade, nForce2 board, 2 sticks of 256MB Samsung pc2700, G4Ti4200 128MB 8XAGP, AMD 2100+. And away we goooo. :cool:

[genesound]

Tom (http://www.tomshardware.com/mainboard/02q4/021111/index.html) has a review on nForce2. :cool:
Anand (http://www.anandtech.com/chipsets/showdoc.html?i=1654&p=1) has a preview...:cool:

[OpK Chowdy]

i bought "generic ram." it has no brand name, but there are samsung chips in it. does that make it crappy ram?

[mcool61]

Originally posted by OpK Chowdy
i bought "generic ram." it has no brand name, but there are samsung chips in it. does that make it crappy ram?

I think generic ram is a roll of the dice. I've got one stik thats overclocks well etc. I hear samsung chips are good.

[genesound]

Even if the chips are good, board design can be critical. A while back there was a big problem with it when SDR i think was first emerging.

[webfoot2]

OK, back to memory. Now anandtech.com will be coming out within the wk with the reviews of the 2nd round of nForce2 boards. So when he makes his pick, I'll make mine. I just bought the MSI G4Ti4200 128MB video card, and the AMD 2100XP+
Processor. I really can't make up my mind on the speed of the Samsung mem. Should I buy 2100, 2700, or what? Please correct me if I'm wrong, the 2100XP+ Processor will support 266Mhz FSB and no higher. So if I buy any memory over DDR2100 it will be a waste of money? I still don't understand the relationship between the FSB and Processor speed. How about someone explaining this to me.