Any reason NOT to go DDR at this point?

[Dputiger]

Given that the DDR motherboards have dropped in price and that DDR RAM is similarly cheap, is there any reason NOT to build a new system DDR-enabled?

[Bovon]

Nothing other than the technology is too new, and many bugs exist. If you are really into trouble shooting, beta testing, ect...go for it.

[camaro]

If you're starting from scratch, go for it. If you just want to upgrade from PC133 based pc, then I wouldn't. The performance increasse is not that much now. Wait till it gets faster.

[Roy]

I was looking at boards like the Iwill KK266 because it uses either type of RAM. Upon studying the situation ~ chipset differences ~ I've decided to hold my breath for the Via KT266 problems to be resolved. Multiple reviews place it ahead of AMD 760 and ALi MaGiK in the long run. Check Tom's Hardware.

I'll probably end up with whichever board is most OC friendly, and yes, DDR. I'll leave the premium SDR sticks in my next "hand me down" box. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[TCWolffe]

I find it so silly how many review sites out there perform a test on a DDR board or on DDR memory running the testbed platform from a Duron CPU. why would you test PC2100 (266MHz DDR) with a chip only capable of 200MHz and then compare it with standard PC133 memory on an abit KT7a board, probably the fastest testing board for SDR memory. Taking it further and comparing it to RDRAM is completely unfair, as the memory isn't even performing at it's stated FSB. Very few sites have displayed a test with a "C" Athalon Thunderbird and PC2100 memory, and when they do it compares very well with RDRAM and shows good improvements over PC133.

I would suggest waiting if you are looking for a VIA KT266 as it's had a rough start. The AMD 761 is stable and reliable, the ALi is a good chip from what I hear, though I'm not interested....:9

The real key is if you want good OC'ing options and lots of control (especially in the bios) you'll have to wait until the retail boards come out and we have alternatives to the OEM-oriented mobo's out there right now.

[AuraEdge]

If you wait, RAM prices may go up too.
It's a risk either way.
DDR is extremely cheap nowadays, and if you dont have RAM to start with, it may be wiser just to get a DDR board w/ DDR at this point, just to have the RAM for your next upgrade (assuming they stick with DDR, which I think they are).

[batmeat]

I run the KA266 board from IWill with 128 PC2100 CAS2 DDR ram. 1GHZ Athon 'C' chip @1389 and the only real difference I've seen is in benchmarking results and 3d Studio Max. If your current system is good enough for you I'd wait to upgrade to DDR.

[Dputiger]

Let me ask this:

Let's assume I'm going to be in the market for a new motherboard in the next 1-2 weeks, and looking to add some new RAM as well.

(I currently have a Duron).

Here's the way I see it: I can buy top quality PC150 RAM and a mobo like the KK266 that overclocks very nicely--then pick up a Palomino in July.

OR

I can get a DDR mobo now + DDR RAM (same price after all). However, I'm not aware of any good OCcing DDR boards right now.

So what do ya'll think? SHould I stick with KT133A + high RAM, THEN get Palomino--OR--go DDR?

[batmeat]

What setup do you have now?

If you are going to get a new board in a couple of weeks I'd go with the KK266 and Mushkin r3 PC133(stable @ 150 doing 2-2-2) and then go for the DDR memory later this year.