SDRAM?

[Strip]

Ok, I admit, I'm confused here. I'm about to get me a 128Mb SDRAM module. What the "¤#& should I choose?

This is my current setup:
AOpen AX59 Pro
AMD K6-2/500 @ 560 (112x5)
UDMA33 HDD/CD-ROM (Quantum/AOpen)
Voodoo²
Stealth II s220
SB PCI 128

I'd like to get a RAM that I can use for my future Athlon setup. But... a million variants to choose from.

PC100?
PC133?
Buffered?
Unbuffered?
ECC?
Generic?
Original?

Please help me out here. By brain is trying to do a division by zero!

[jonathankeeping]

To be able to confidently answer this question, you need to tell us what type of RAM you currrently have in your system. With your PC setup, it is highly likely that you have DIMM's in your PC at the moment. I suppose I should explain myself.

There are two main modern types of RAM socket (the holder the RAM sits in).

1) SIMM's (older 66MHz, upgrade in pairs, 72-PIN)
2) DIMM's (newer 66-133+MHz, upgrade singuarly, 168-PIN)

If you can, find out what socket you have. And we'll be able to give you a better answer.


Jonny.

[Strip]

Oh, I have 3 DIMM sockets. I'm currently using 2 of them with 32Mb in each. These are old 10ns, so I'll throw them in my 233 system as soon as I get the new one.

[Axel]

Next question - what operating system are you using and are you considering upgrading that??
If you have win95 - you might get one fast stick 8 NS - 64MB ram - your system is unlikely to effectively use more.
if you have win98 - a 8ns stick 128MB ram - your system is unlikely to use more effectively
if you are running NT - buy the fastest and the most you can afford - it will use it all and ask for more.....
For the special features, I'd have to research your motherboard manual to learn more of what it can use.

Lastly - is the board capable of using RIMM?? - check out the Rambus home page if money is no object - we're talking 800mHz ram here....

[Vernon Frazee]

Source: http://www.amd.com/support/faqs/athlonfaqs.html#7a

Question:
What kind of memory do I need to use with my AMD Athlon processor?

Answer:
The AMD Athlon processor memory requirements are very straightforward:

   1.Your memory must be PC-100 compliant.

   2.Your memory must be 8ns or faster.

   3.Your memory must be unbuffered or unregistered. This is mandatory.

   4.Ideally, the memory should have a CAS latency of 2. Most
      motherboards will have better performance using this memory rather
      than CAS latency of 3. In fact, some motherboards and BIOS's may
      require CAS latency 2. CAS latency is a speed rating and refers to
      the number of cycle delays required to use the memory.

Please note: memory is motherboard specific. Check with your motherboard
manufacturer (their website is a good start) for a list of compatible
memory modules.

You should purchase memory with a lifetime warranty, and be sure that
the warranty is stated on your invoice. This is your proof of purchase
if you ever need to replace the memory upon failure.

--

Question:
Can I use PC-133 memory in my AMD Athlon processor-based computer?

Answer:
Your best choice is to check with your motherboard manufacturer to see
if their board supports PC-133 memory. Please note, at this time there
are no performance benefits in using PC-133 memory.

--

Question:
My memory has all the requirements listed above, but it also has ECC
(Error Correction Code). Is that a good thing?

Answer:
ECC is an excellent function for memory, but it is of no advantage for
your new AMD Athlon processor-based system. In fact, it may slow down
the performance of your new system. You may want to consider using
memory that is not ECC.

[Strip]

Ok, thanks all of you for your information. I really appreciate it.

I've ordered this:
DIMM 128MB 168PIN 3.3V SDRAM PC133 COMPATIBLE 7NS
I'll see more exactly what it is when I get them. I couldn't resist, they gave me a really good price. Since they had made a misstake on their website and I ordered, they gave me a good price as some kind of apology. Gotta be lucky some time!?

[Axel]

Keep an eye out for "RIMM" RDRAM modules in the future - it's fabulously expensive at the moment and not too many motherboard manufacturers use it, but it's specs are AWESOME and there's a term I don't often use.

check out www.rambus.com (http://www.rambus.com) - it lists RIMM specs there - 400mHz RAM....
DELL and HP are making their new boards capable of using it.

[CrasHdEfeCT]

get rambus RAM, they are fast as ****, if your mobo supports it, get it!! if not, stick with 128MB of DDR SDRAM or SDRAMII, or just SDRAM, Dimm, if that's what ur mobo supports, give me more details on ur mobo, (motherboard).