Large Memory Chips...

[card_magic]

Okay, so heres the deal. I'm upgrading my computer a ton over the next few months. I'm planning on getting an AMD 1.33 or 1.4 GHz 266 FSB, probably OCing it a little, not too extreme, just for hobby. Stick it on a decent Mobo, like an Asus or something. I'll get a new case, mod it out a little with some more fans. I've already got a 60gig HDD to stick in there. Probably get a GeForce3. Thinking about getting the 19 inch flat-tube Samsung (I hate those two wires in the Sony tubed monitors). But the real question comes with memory. What I'd really like to do is to put a gig of ram in this bad boy, but I've got a couple of questions. First off, I can't afford to put a gig, or even 512 of RDR in there. So that leaves me with PC133, or PC150. Unfortunatly, all of the good Mobos that support the AMDs only have 3 memory slots, so I can't just stick in 4 256Meg chips. So if I really want to do a gig, I gotta buy 2 512 sticks. I was looking on Pricewatch.com, and all of the 512 chips said "UNBUFFERED". What signifigance does that play in the quality of the memory?
Basically, is it a good idea to get 2 512 meg chips?

Also, if you see any other recommendations to make to my computer upgrade list, I'd really like to hear them.

Thanks
-Jim


[This message has been edited by card_magic (edited 06-11-2001).]

[vintron]

dont go for anything above 256 unless u are ABOSOLUTELY sure what u will be using it for..... excess memory above a certain limit will do ZERO benefit on a normal system. believe me... i know http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

So unless u are really sure wha u will be using the extra memory for.... dont do it...


256 in enough and more even for a heavy use system...

[charmler]

What OS are you running? You have to tweak win9x to get it compatible with greater than 512megs.

[card_magic]

I'll be multi-booting with Win2k, Win95, and Linux.

Okay, so the advice not to go that big brings up another question. Suppose I do just 512 megs instead of a gig... should I go for 1 512 meg stick, so I can upgrade to a gig later if I want, or do I go for 2 256 meg sticks, which would limit my upgradability to only 768 megs? (since there are only 3 slots)

Thanks for the help,
-Jim

[Kuasimodem]

You could do what I did, and put in two 256Mb chips, and later if you want to hit 1Gb, all you have to do is buy 1 512Mb chip.

I recommend Crucial or Micron RAM, PC133 CAS 2 if you can get it for a good price.

I'm running two 256Mb Micron PC133 CAS 3 chips in CAS 2 mode, they seem to be working just fine for me.

I got mine from RunTime Computer (http://www.runtimecc.com/index.rcc?SessionID=61048) , right now they have Micron 256Mb PC133 CAS2 for $53 + shipping, and CAS3 for $38 + shipping. Every stick of RAM that I have bought from them is on Xerox 6-layer pc boards, and not a bad one in the bunch.

[card_magic]

Okay, so I WAS going to get 2 512 sticks, either PC133 or PC150. Depending on the quality, I would've spent about $120-$260 total for the memory. Now that I look at RunTimeCC.com, I COULD get 2x256 Meg PC2100 DDR, 266Mhz Crucial RAM for about $150. Is it worth it then, to step up to the DDR, and get a good brand like Crucial?