Memory Question

[Carlos Kerr]

Hey, if you were going to install a total of 128mb of pc100 sdram in your system, would you: a. install one stick of 128mb pc100, or b. two sticks of 64mb pc100 sdram? Is one stick faster than two? Or is it safer to break it up into two sticks in case one is burned up or something thereby leaving you the other 64mb as a backup? Just curious. Thanks!

[magk9]

No idea if a 128 is faster, but I'd go with the 2 64's in case you ever have to troubleshoot your ram.....or "borrow" one for another system

[Ed_S]

I'd go with the single 128 to maximize slot usage. Leave the other one empty for future use. Buy good, branded memory w. lifetime warranty & don't worry about it failing.

And don't think you'll never need more..
You will! I've said that's all the mem. I'll need WAY too many times! (first machine had 4K - Yeah K not M) Currently have 256mb, I know someday will pass 1G, THEN I'll never need more...

[tiptoe]

Definetly buy one stick of PC100 memory.
I use Micron PC100 with a RAS/CAS latency of 2. This is very stable memory on my overclocked Celeron 300a chip on an Abit BX6 rev. 2 motherboard. I currently use two of these sticks as one 256 meg wasn't feasble nor cost proficient. I am currently using the Guillemot Phoenix MaxiGamer 16meg AGP video card. This was the only card stable when I overclocked my chip.
Good Luck

[tiptoe]

Nothing I have read anywhere regards two sticks of 64meg PC100 sticks as safer or more stable. The only thing you accomplish is to manage to eat up two memory slots which are precious on the motherboard as it is.

[Carlos Kerr]

Man you guys are good! Thanks for the replies, it helped. Now the $64,000 question! Where is the best place on the web to purchase memory? Not the cheapest, but the safest? I'm looking for one 128mb cas 2 pc100 stick.

[WhoKnowsWho]

Safest? Well, three of us have had no trouble ordering from www.mushkin.com
Big enough to attract attention if it wasn't safe!

[Nathan G.]

I believe one stick of ram is better than 2 (if you are overclocking) for the following reason: You will be exceeding the time margin/speed for 100MHz RAM. The more modules you add, the greater the chances of a stability problem. Say you have a 50/50 chance of stability with one module .. it will drop with 2 modules. (playing the odds) This maybe a "Simple Simon" way of looking at it , but i believe it is valid.
Later Daze
Nathan G.
Mushkin is a good source-No doubt..