Super Talent

Redleg · July 7th, 2006

Around the end of April, I added 2 more sticks of 512 Super Talent for a 2 gig total of memory. Since then, I've read in various places, that it's better to have 2-1gig sticks if going that way, instead of 4x512. I have no problems so far with the 4 sticks, but am wondering if I should go with the 2-1gig sticks, and stay with the Super Talent, or should I go for another brand?
Thanks,
Redleg

yurimxpxman · July 7th, 2006

I prefer Corsair's XMS series. As for the 4x vs. 2x, I can't speak from experience. I have 2x 512 in dual-channel mode.

**Hitman** · July 7th, 2006

That really only applies if your talking about Dual Channel Ram. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, unless you start getting memory errors. Some will argue that Ram makes all the difference in the world. It makes some difference but unless your using memory intensive apps it really doesn’t matter.

**One4yu2c** · July 7th, 2006

The disadvantages of going with four sticks are as follows:

1) As with anything, the more parts, the higher the chance of one going bad. Not a big deal, IMO.

2) Overclocking, if applicable (and I'm guessing it's not), can sometimes be more challenging with four sticks vs two.

3) And finally, A64 processors are finicky with running four sticks of RAM. Older steppings (Newcastle, Winchester) would often downclock from DDR400 to DDR333 and also run a slower command rate (2t vs 1t), or it wouldn't work at all. Newer steppings (Venice and above) address the downclocking issue, but four sticks still force a 2t command rate. You take a performance hit by running 2t instead of 1t, but in all honesty, you're not likely to notice it in real world usage most of the time.
_____________________]

The above being said, if you do decide to go with a 2GB kit (2x1GB), Super Talent personally would not be on the top of my list. I favor OCZ myself, but others I would also look at are Corsair, Crucial, Mushkin, and G.Skill, who has began making a name for themselves in the last year. Really though, unless you've noticed a performance drop, you might as well save the funds and keep on chugging along as-is.

yurimxpxman · July 7th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

3) And finally, A64 processors are finicky with running four sticks of RAM. Older steppings (Newcastle, Winchester) would often downclock from DDR400 to DDR333 and also run a slower command rate (2t vs 1t), or it wouldn't work at all. Newer steppings (Venice and above) address the downclocking issue, but four sticks still force a 2t command rate. You take a performance hit by running 2t instead of 1t, but in all honesty, you're not likely to notice it in real world usage most of the time.

ah! I remember that now. At least I didn't post anything stupid this time for you to correct

Quote:

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

others I would also look at are Corsair, Crucial, Mushkin, and G.Skill, who has began making a name for themselves in the last year. Really though, unless you've noticed a performance drop, you might as well save the funds and keep on chugging along as-is.

And don't forget Kingston. They're decent.

**Hitman** · July 7th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

And don't forget Kingston. They're decent.

Only if you own a Compaq

**Capper** · July 7th, 2006

Yeah, not too big on the Kingston when it comes to system memory. Great flassh memory though.

1. Corsair
2. Mushkin
3. OCZ
4. G-Skill
5. GeIL

yurimxpxman · July 7th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capper

Yeah, not too big on the Kingston when it comes to system memory. Great flassh memory though.

eh, it doesn't matter much to me anyway. I won't buy anything other than Corsair XMS.

**Hitman** · July 7th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capper

Great flassh memory though.

I agree, I own a Kingston Thumb drive and its done me well.

yurimxpxman · July 7th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman

I agree, I own a Kingston Thumb drive and its done me well.

My sister's Kingston thumb drive has served her well at college. But, this is rather off-topic.

So let's recap:

4x DDR400 can slow down to DDR333 sometimes on Athlon 64 mobos
>2GB of RAM on a 32bit OS == stupidity
Value RAM won't overclock very well, if at all
2x 1GB leaves room for a future upgrade to 4GB if you start using a 64bit OS

July 7th, 2006	#1
Redleg 155 concussions feel good Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Highlands of Inverness, no, not Scotland, Florida Posts: 196	Super Talent Around the end of April, I added 2 more sticks of 512 Super Talent for a 2 gig total of memory. Since then, I've read in various places, that it's better to have 2-1gig sticks if going that way, instead of 4x512. I have no problems so far with the 4 sticks, but am wondering if I should go with the 2-1gig sticks, and stay with the Super Talent, or should I go for another brand? Thanks, Redleg

July 7th, 2006	#7
Capper I'm Evil Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 5,676 Blog Entries: 6	Yeah, not too big on the Kingston when it comes to system memory. Great flassh memory though. 1. Corsair 2. Mushkin 3. OCZ 4. G-Skill 5. GeIL INTEL QX9650 ASUS P5E3 Premium 4GB DDR3-1600 Sapphire HD 3870X2 Danger Den Tower-26 (Custom W/C) 5 x Seagate 250GB HDD in RAID5 BFG ES 800W PSU

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July 7th, 2006	#2
yurimxpxman Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: /home/yurimxpxman Posts: 1,695	I prefer Corsair's XMS series. As for the 4x vs. 2x, I can't speak from experience. I have 2x 512 in dual-channel mode.

July 7th, 2006	#3
Hitman Functional Alcoholic Join Date: May 2006 Location: 14S E:561116 N:3830189 Posts: 4,263 Blog Entries: 2	That really only applies if your talking about Dual Channel Ram. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, unless you start getting memory errors. Some will argue that Ram makes all the difference in the world. It makes some difference but unless your using memory intensive apps it really doesn’t matter.

July 7th, 2006	#4
One4yu2c I don't know how to put this, but, I'm kind of a big deal. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land of the Lounge Lizards Posts: 2,555 Blog Entries: 3	The disadvantages of going with four sticks are as follows: 1) As with anything, the more parts, the higher the chance of one going bad. Not a big deal, IMO. 2) Overclocking, if applicable (and I'm guessing it's not), can sometimes be more challenging with four sticks vs two. 3) And finally, A64 processors are finicky with running four sticks of RAM. Older steppings (Newcastle, Winchester) would often downclock from DDR400 to DDR333 and also run a slower command rate (2t vs 1t), or it wouldn't work at all. Newer steppings (Venice and above) address the downclocking issue, but four sticks still force a 2t command rate. You take a performance hit by running 2t instead of 1t, but in all honesty, you're not likely to notice it in real world usage most of the time. _____________________] The above being said, if you do decide to go with a 2GB kit (2x1GB), Super Talent personally would not be on the top of my list. I favor OCZ myself, but others I would also look at are Corsair, Crucial, Mushkin, and G.Skill, who has began making a name for themselves in the last year. Really though, unless you've noticed a performance drop, you might as well save the funds and keep on chugging along as-is.