SDRAM PC100 compared to PC133

[Psylocke]

noticeable differences?
is it worth buying a 133 over 100?

for an abit kt7 mobo
duron processor

[Brian48]

I just upgraded from 256mb of PC100 to 256mb of PC133 recently (A700/KA7-100). Wasn't sure about the purchase at first since I didn't expect any significant performance increase, but now I'm glad 'cause I did.

Sisoft Sandra results soared, got about 3+ fps in Q3A, and about 400+ pt increase in 3dmark2k. Windows performances was much perkier too.

Now these aren't earthshaking gains, but considering that I wasn't expecting any, it was a pleasant surprise. Whether or not it's worth the money, that's your call. For me, I needed the memory so I could move the PC100 into another box I was building.

For anyone buying memory from the start, definitely go for PC133.

[NDC]

Personally, I haven't noticed any significant difference in performance on PC-133 over PC-100. But the price difference being so small, I'd say to get PC-133. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[daveleau]

I agree with NDC. I upgraded to PC133 and got no real noticable difference. The benchmarks were about the same as well. I should point out that the PC100 was Infineon (PNY) and the new is KTi (generic) RAM. I thought it would help in my OC but it did not, the CPU is limiting my progress not my RAM.
Dave

[Szech]

Doesn't the KT133 (KX133?) chipset allow you to set the memory to FSB + PCI? Because with DDR, the memory would run at 266. Sounds pretty sweet to me. I've bought PC133 RAM for the Intel computers I've built, and I like FSB + PCI (using Via Apollo Pro 133 / 133A).

[Warthog]

I got a new system with PC133.

Didn't notice much difference, but might as well get it because of minute price difference.

Warthog

[Brian48]

Yes, the KT7 does allow you to run the memory at a full 133mhz, while keeping the rest of the system running at nomimal 100/33, just like the KA7-100.

Just replacing PC100 with PC133 will yield no differences in performance unless the memory is actually running at 133mhz. Memory tests at Anand's yielded similiar results to my own. That's why I got the KA7-100 =)

[falcompsx]

Szech, i hate to burst your bubble, but Athlon systems DDR is the system bus ONLY, not memory. Unlike Intel chipsets, Athlon board run asyncronously, meaning your memory can run at 100 or 133, while your system bus will always run at 100(200 DDR, or double pumped) This is a big misunderstanding among people about athlons. if they ran at 200 or 266 memory, there would be a very big jump in performance! BUT, DDR memory is just around the corner for both athlon and P3's. P4's will have to wait until mid 2000 at the earliest to get DDR SDRAM, they will be stuck with RDRAM for quite some time, and may be their downfall to AMD.

[falcompsx]

One other thing is PC133 will NOT RUN ANY FASTER then PC100 IF you don't have a board that can run the PC133 AT 133mhz. Another big misunderstanding. PC133 will run at 100 unless you have a via chipset that can run it async. from the bus and increase the speed to the 133 spec.

[SuperHappyFunMan]

The main use of pc133 memory(for me) is in overclocking

[Patroclus]

Look at my reply in HardwareCentral for this issue. http://discussions.hardwarecentral.com/Forum2/HTML/008500.html

Compete with benchmark numbers in QuakeIII in between PC66@107 CAS2 and PC133@140 CAS2.
The performance difference is too minimal.

Synthethic benchmark like SySoft might report a much higher bandwidth for PC133, but in reality, the gain is minimal in games and real applications. PC133 can only push you 2-3% maximal.

If you're buying a new memory module, I suggest you buy PC133. But if you already have PC100 in your hand, don't waste your money for such a miniscule improvement. Better spend that to buy a better Video card or other componenets.

Actually it is not enough to say PC133 will give +3 fps compared to PC100. This very much depends on how is the real score.

+3 from 100 fps means improvements about 2-3%

+3 from 30 fps means 35%
+3 from 30 fp

[Patroclus]

I think Hardware Central is down ??? I couldn't get it there since yesterday.
Anyway, I paste the posting here in case you have trouble getting there.

I include the memory benchmark for the system. I didn't provide this in my posting in HardwareCentral.

System spec in test:
Duron 700@1017 (9.5 x 107)
128MB PC66@109 CAS2 vs 128MB PC133@140 CAS2
128MB PC100@100 CAS2 vs 128MB PC133@133 CAS2

SySoft Memory Benchmark (ALU-memory / FPU-memory):
PC66@107 CAS2 : 430 / 450 MB/sec
PC100@100 CAS2 : 400 / 420 MB/sec
PC133@133 CAS2 : 490 / 520 MB/sec
PC133@140 CAS2 : 520 / 550 MB/sec

----------- Pasted
I have Duron 700@1036MHz on KT7, 128MB PC66@109 CAS2, Geforce MX 220/210.

Sometime ago, I made a test with this config:
- Duron 700@1017
- 128MB PC66@107 CAS2 vs 128MB PC133@140 CAS2
- Asus V7100 GeForce MX at 220/210

Quake III Results:
------------------
(PC66@109 CAS2 / PC133@142 CAS2)

800x600x16 = 111.6 / 115.3
1024x768x16 = 99.9 / 100.3
800x600x32 HQ = 101.4 / 103.4
1024x768x32 HQ = 74.9 / 75.2

Other game benchmark shows the same pattern where PC133 CAS2 leads only 2-4 fps most.

This is a proven test.