Lower RAM Speed but more, Faster speed but less?

[Computer-Ed]

I am considering making some changes and have a chance to move my system from 2 GIG of RAM to 4 GIG. However to do it I wild be lowering the speed of the ram from latency 4 to 5 and possibly from 800 Mhz to 667. I have posted a poll and am curious of the response. If you have specific reasoning please post it.

[polobunny]

Why exactly do you need 4GB?

[qazwsx]

doesnt every 32bit OS only support upto 3.5gb ram? i dont see anyone would need much more than 2gb of ram.

you'll see a better performance boost on more ram that higher ram clock speeds unless you overclock

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by qazwsx

you'll see a better performance boost on more ram that higher ram clock speeds unless you overclock

Uh... not exactly true.

He has already 2GB of DDR800. Depending on what he does, 4GB of RAM might give little to no performance boost...

[qazwsx]

ahh i see, thanks. i'd stick with what you've got then

[Capper]

Let me say first that I'm putting the finishing touches on a 4GB memory review. and straight up 2GB vs 4GB n(same clock speeds and latencies), the 4GB kit wins every benchmark by a hair.

But the honest to god truth is 4GB makes a difference using memory intensive apps like Photoshop or during video editing or using CAD. Outside of that 4GB won't make much difference at all compared to a 2GB kit that has better timings.

Originally Posted by qazwsx

doesnt every 32bit OS only support upto 3.5gb ram? i dont see anyone would need much more than 2gb of ram.

you'll see a better performance boost on more ram that higher ram clock speeds unless you overclock

No, there is a 4GB limit that gives a virtual address to all your hardware (PCI/PCI-E, etc). which includes your memory. So its dependent on what you have running as to how much memory your system will recognize and use.

[Computer-Ed]

One of the reasons I was looking at this was I am considering jumping into Vista 64. Everything I have heard is that it will really play nice at 4 gig over 2 gig. I have checked and my hardware has full 64 bit support so i thought with the price down this might be a nice time to jump. I can get 4 gig (4x1 in 2x1 packs) of XMS2 675 for around $140. I can move to Super Talent for $150 at 800 but latency 5.

Corsair:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Super Talent:
Newegg.com - SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

I current have 2x1 of Corsair Dominator 800.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

That means to match my base set would be $180.

Trying to keep cost down and performance as high as I can with lower cost.

[Capper]

Originally Posted by Computer-Ed

One of the reasons I was looking at this was I am considering jumping into Vista 64. Everything I have heard is that it will really play nice at 4 gig over 2 gig. I have checked and my hardware has full 64 bit support so i thought with the price down this might be a nice time to jump. I can get 4 gig (4x1 in 2x1 packs) of XMS2 675 for around $140. I can move to Super Talent for $150 at 800 but latency 5.

Corsair:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Super Talent:
Newegg.com - SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

I current have 2x1 of Corsair Dominator 800.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

That means to match my base set would be $180.

Trying to keep cost down and performance as high as I can with lower cost.

All of my testing was done at 64-bit, and included Photoshop CS2, video editing programs, aqnd gaming.......and to be honest....there really isn't much reason to upgrade to a 4GB kit right now. At like clockspeeds the 4GB kit did come out on top, but not by a whole lot.......and when you figure in overclocking abilities, the 4GB kit just can't keep up with a 2Gb kit.


I'd honestly look at a 2GB kit that features higher clock speeds and tighter latencies

[Computer-Ed]

Thanks for the info..

[[Dr. V]]

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