Lower RAM Speed but more, Faster speed but less?

[Capper]

Originally Posted by ST!X

Vista x86 fully supports up to 4GB of RAM with no real "headaches" like XP.

Not true my friend.........

Heres an excerpt from my article which will be published tomorrow or Friday...

However, probably the biggest issue facing those considering a 4GB kit is that 32-bit Operating Systems (notice I said "SystemS", as in plural? This isn't just a Microsoft issue) suffer from a 4GB memory access limit. While I wish I could say everyone understood this, it only takes a cursory look around the web to see that many people are baffled, and even pretty pissed off when they plug a 4GB kit into a 32-bit OS and only 3 to 3.5GB of memory are recognized. 32-bit operating systems suffer from a 4GB memory limit, but this isn't limited to your systems RAM, it includes everything given a virtual address by the system....which includes your Video Card, BIOS, HDD, etc. so, If you plug a 4GB memory kit into a 32-bit OS, then add a 768MB 8800GTX (or 1.5GB if you have the cash for a pair in SLI), your system is only going to recognize the system memory that fits within the operating systems 4GB 32-bit virtual memory. There are actually ways around this limitation with 32-bit operating systems (Windows PAE feature), but it requires a lot of work, and isn't feasible for the typical consumer. A great write-up of the 4GB memory limit in 32-bit operating systems can be found here.

[[Dr. V]]

Wait...

That seems odd seeing as I can 100% vividly remember reading more than one article stating Vista's features, and them saying:

32-bit

Max Memory: 4GB

This is odd.

On Topic:

I'd stick with the 2GB @ 800MHz for SURE. Prices are falling like nothing, so soon enough you'll be able to add a close enough 800MHz 2GB set. OR just wait with your 2GB until DDR3 hits it big. I'm sure you'll manage - 4GB is overrated right now.

If you have 4x512, well that's even better performance man.

Ultimately, it's up to you. But IMO I'd stay where you are. Max would be add another 800MHz kit.

Since I already have my 667 OCed, I'm just grabbing a matching set soon to make it 4GB because eventually, 4GB will come in handy even when this is my backup rig. I'm not upgrading until octa-core =P (well...we'll see)...

[Capper]

see, its kind of a misnomer......a 32 bit OS will not support more than 4GB of memory, its impossible. That 4GB of virtual address space has to include memory addresses for your peripherals......so a chunk of that 4GB is already taken up by components other than your memory

[yurimxpxman]

If it was my machine, I'd go for the 4GB of RAM. IMHO, quantity trumps speed any day, in both hard drives and RAM. That, however, is not coming from a gamer (though I hope you don't expect to do much gaming with Vista x86_64, as it's not well supported yet).

Assuming you're planning on switching to the x86_64 OS, your real concern is whether your motherboard really does support as much as it claims. I'm not an expert in the area, but I've read that many motherboards that claim to support up to 8GB are actually limited to the 32bit addressing issue, even in a 64bit OS due to a driver/BIOS issue, or something like that.

In all honesty, I would not consider running x86_64 Windows at this time anyways. So, even though I would personally prefer the larger quantity, in your case, I must agree with Capper by stating that your best option would be the higher frequency memory (unless you're willing to switch to Linux).

[[Dr. V]]

Eww Linux...

Lol.

[Computer-Ed]

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

(though I hope you don't expect to do much gaming with Vista x86_64, as it's not well supported yet)..

Actually it depends on your hardware as to the level of support. More companies every day seem to be coming forward with solid 64 bit drivers. Intels chipsets have solid 64 bit support, I know ATI has some good 64 bit drivers and Creative even has put some forward, that means my system is covered

As for games, as near as I can tell if it runs in Vista 32 bit it will 99% of the time run in Vista 64 bit.

The REAL limitations of 64 bit right now seem to be in add-ons for IE and 64 bit specific software.

[Capper]

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

If it was my machine, I'd go for the 4GB of RAM. IMHO, quantity trumps speed any day, in both hard drives and RAM. That, however, is not coming from a gamer (though I hope you don't expect to do much gaming with Vista x86_64, as it's not well supported yet).

Assuming you're planning on switching to the x86_64 OS, your real concern is whether your motherboard really does support as much as it claims. I'm not an expert in the area, but I've read that many motherboards that claim to support up to 8GB are actually limited to the 32bit addressing issue, even in a 64bit OS due to a driver/BIOS issue, or something like that.

In all honesty, I would not consider running x86_64 Windows at this time anyways. So, even though I would personally prefer the larger quantity, in your case, I must agree with Capper by stating that your best option would be the higher frequency memory (unless you're willing to switch to Linux).

You are wrong on so many levels.....I don't know where to start.

During two weeks of testing, a 4GB kit smashed a 1GB kit, and barely beat a 2GB kit across the board in all our testing, but as soon as the 2GB kit was overclocked, it beat the 4Gb kit, and depending on the clock speed....beat it easily.

As to 64-bit Vista, its a fine OS, no better no worse than the 32-bit version, i had no problems with drivers, and even 32-bit applications ran smoothly, at least the ones I used.

4GB and larger kits are definitely the future, I just don't see them being mainstream yet, the performance just isn't there.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Capper

4GB and larger kits are definitely the future, I just don't see them being mainstream yet, the performance just isn't there.

I agree with that. 2GB is already quite a bit of memory and I don't think adding more is going to change a whole lot. However, it is always shown that faster memory speeds can (will) improve performance.

[[Dr. V]]

It's simply unjustifiable to own a 4GB Kit (or two 2GB kits w/e) right now - it's simply not needed. No appz need even 2GB in many cases. The reason why it doesn't seem like 4GB is better than 2GB is because it's simply too much memory for anything to use it all.

Soon, though, there will be games and appz that definitely will be helped by 4GB of RAM. It's completely imminent. Right now, it isn't time. Especially with DDR3 coming soon.

It's just like when we say the new 512MB and 1GB video cards, and 256MB was extremely mainstream and perfect for any game. Now look at the games.