Synchronous or Rambus???

[Warthog]

Please help me out here:

How much more real world speed can you get out Rambus (RDRAM) than Synchronous (SDRAM)?

THAT is the question.

In a matter of weeks I'll be buying a new super duper gaming power system from Dell. I will have the NVIDIA 64mb DDR graphics card and a 733mhz processor. I will have a DVD player and TV Tuner. I do a lot of FPS and flight sim gaming and a bit of amateur graphics design. Will any speed difference between RDRAM and SDRAM make a difference with this setup?

The Dell "B Series" computers come with RDRAM. The "T Series" comes with SDRAM. With each computer configured EXACTLY the same (128 RAM and above specs), they are $250 apart.

Is it worth the money? I intend to have this system for 3-4 years at least(with some upgrading). Or as long as it can play most games. Will Rambus be better to have in 3-4 years (will it be standard)??

I'm not really looking for tech specs but "real world" differences.

Thanks!! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[Dave2]

SDRAM will severly cripple the performance of the 733. However, RDRAM will be obsolete because of the arrival DDR RAM. RDRAM is priced too high and when you want to upgrade your memory later on you'll be spending too much money.

If I were you I'd build a P3 750 with an Abit BF6 or Asus P3B-F, 128MB PC133 which will outperform the more expensive 733/RDRAM.

[Warthog]

Thank you very much for replying http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. So, you're quite sure that RDRAM is going to be obsolete because of the sheer price of it in a few years? I think you've saved me from making a big mistake! I've thought about the upgrade issue before. It's $500 for 128mb RDRAM, compared to (currently) $100 SDRAM.

Why don't major companies use PC133? Don't worry, I'm not hooked on "brand name" companies (Dell, Gateway, etc.) - gonna build this puppies companion next year http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. Awesome network gaming.

Warthog

[Warthog]

Nevermind. I did some research myself to find others opinions.
This article helped me out a lot: http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reports/1519/1

I've been dead set on getting this system with RDRAM for 4-5 months now too.....good thing I asked you guys at Sysopt. Wheww! That was close http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. I almost made a huge mistake.

Warthog

[rtyp3]

rambus = ripoff
Yeah, Intel backs it up, but they also get a percentage of the profits made from selling it. The performance difference just won't heed the extreme expense over Synchronous.

[Warthog]

Now I'm not sure at all http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif.

I read some more articles online about it. They said that it is just a matter of time before it becomes standard. Sure, not many are going to buy it right now because of the price but in 2-3 years - sure, it could happen. They compared it to SDRAM when EDO memory was standard. Was it expensive? Yes. But it eventually became very popular. Speed tests have shown that, basically, it is twice as fast. But it can do multiple tasks at once. SDRAM cannot. At the moment, Rambus is the fastest out there. Can't say anything for DDR because there isn't nearly as mucn info on it. I'm not taking any sides, just presenting the facts. As I said, now I'm not sure what to get.

I'm looking for a system that will still be able to hold it's own in 2-3 years. The fast memory may be the key. I don't think it's just going to disappear.

Warthog

[rtyp3]

Good point, but on the other hand, their were no companies reaping profits from SDRAM like Intel is from Rambus. This has competitors, like AMD and Cyrix, not supporting it and not liking it for a reason. SDRAM had nobody that has such a large impact as AMD against it. That can make all the difference. But, no one can say for sure what type will come out on top. They might both survive together, competing for the 2-3 years that you want your computer to hold its own. Personally, I would save the money, but it is totally up to you.

[Warthog]

However many people are surprised to find that DRAM manufacturers pay only about 2% in royalties for each RDRAM sold (each manufacturer pays a different royalty, but on the whole it's about 2%). At about 2%, we don't feel that this is really a major contributor to overall cost. After all, if Rambus charged no royalty at all, the RDRAM cost would only fall about 2%.
http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reviews/1647/2/

There are other articles on that site.

Anyways, right now I'm just reading a lot and asking you guys http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif and I'll form my own opinion from there.

Warthog

[Warthog]

First I think, "Rambus is good". Then I think, "Rambus sucks".

Now I'm reading that it is hampered by the crappy 820 chipset and is much faster on the 840. Great. Dell only sells the 820.

....whatever......I think I just might go with SDRAM. Rambus wouldn't become standard until the price comes WAY down and, heck, that would take many years anyway. That's IF it lives that long. I just don't know anymore. I think I might go the easy route and get SDRAM.

By now I bet you guys are just plain sick of me talking about this http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif....changing my mind every 10 minutes http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. See ya around

Warthog

[rtyp3]

Hmm, another good point. So I may change that a little. It may not necessarily be the money Intel is taking from it that raises it the cost, but the fact that they are taking money out that prevents competitors of Intel from liking it.

[Warthog]

It's good to have your feedback. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

I know this is scary...but I may have come to a conclusion after reading 60 pages (not kidding) about RDRAM and if it is worth it. The technology is just too young at the moment. There are way too many problems with the memory. As I stated above, a newer chipset is needed to fully exploit RDRAMs potential. An article said that using the 820 chipset, it ran about as fast as PC133 but at 5 times the cost. So maybe in several years, it will be much more modified and start to become standard. If I bought a PC with Rambus in it now, maybe Rambus will be used in a few years but it will be much different. SDRAM it is! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[rtyp3]

Good luck!

[Warthog]

Thank you very much http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[rtyp3]

Hey warthog, just letting you know that the webpage "getting there" in your profile is not found. It does not exist anymore or something.

[Warthog]

hehehe....that's because I have not quite had time to make one yet http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. That's why I'm "getting there". http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog