I've recently scored a pair of 7600GTs and I'm starting to be able to run pretty games at really nice speeds. However, I'm getting the feeling that it's now my 1GB and possibly processor that are slowing me down in games right now. I've got 2x512 of my old but courageous Corsair XMS 2-2-2-5 modules (I think it's these guys) and an A64 3800+. I'd love it if I could upgrade for $150 but maybe I could push to $200

So where do I go? Despite my modules, I've resigned to not overclocking much, usually running at about 2.45ghz (bad wire management in my cramped case and a tendency to get really ambiently, mixed with the fact that I can be an idiot... not worth going much higher). Would RAM alone be a good enough boost? I guess I'm out of the loop.

Most likely it's your RAM that's slowing you down. It's running at nice latencies but if you're gaming these days you really need 2GB, or games will crawl. The problem with this is that DDR is quite expensive now its a nearly obsolete standard.

It's a nice set of ram, and the latency isn't an issue. But is that a single core?

I gotta say the X2 3800+ @ 2.7GHz i have with my 512 Dual channel BH-5 2-2-2-2, seems to run just about any game quite nicely. Along with a pair of 6600GT's.

If its single core, I would suggest upgrading to Dual core. It's still worth finding a nice few sticks of mediocre ram at like 2.5-3-3-8 timings 1GB sticks. They won't be a gazillion dollars, but might be like 60$-90$.

As for the upgrade to Dual core, it could cost you around the same.

Yeah, it is single core. I was thinking either upgrade to dual core and get some value ram or grab another of the same sticks.

Opteron 165?
Newegg.com - AMD Opteron 165 Denmark 1.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - Retail
Crucial Ballistix?
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Would be less than $150 AR, only problem is 4 sticks of RAM. If you want 1GBx2 RAM, look for some Samsung Orginal sticks. It uses UCCC (AFAIK everyone) which is the stuff on alot of top end 2GB kits.

Since I don't upgrade that much, I think I'm fine with 4 sticks. The ones I have in here are too nice to me to get rid of (although maybe I could sell them at around the same price as those ballistix). I'm thinking I'll be on an AM2 by the time I need more than that.

Are there disadvantages to running 4 sticks over 2? I'm guessing that doesn't allow dual channel, but how much of a difference does that make.

Quote: Originally Posted by _Sexy_Pants_ Since I don't upgrade that much, I think I'm fine with 4 sticks. The ones I have in here are too nice to me to get rid of (although maybe I could sell them at around the same price as those ballistix). I'm thinking I'll be on an AM2 by the time I need more than that. Are there disadvantages to running 4 sticks over 2? I'm guessing that doesn't allow dual channel, but how much of a difference does that make.

Okay to show you the difference.

AMD + 2 sticks Dual channel performance goes up

Intel + 2 sticks dual channel performance average

AMD + 4 sticks, Dual channel performance goes down

Intel + 4 sticks dual channel, you can enable bank interleave, and performance goes way up


don't get four sticks man, you dont want any more performance loss, especially going from 2-2-2-5, then maybe slower timings and then slowing the whole setup down with four sticks

Example (personal experience)

I have four sticks of BH-5 Mushkin Level II. Ruuuning my golden set of BH-5 at 2-2-2-2 with 512MB runs just about everything fine, running my 1GB (4 muskin sticks) at 2-3-2-5 everything is bogged out, everything even windows loading times, plus my stable OC goes down to 2.55GHz down from 2.7GHz. and i have to use a memory divider, killing more performance.

I'll look around for a set of 1GB sticks, you're not overclocking extreme or anything, and i'm sure it wont be huge performance gain, but you not going o have 4 sticks..

inbetween 100$ and 150$, thats the downside...

ATACOM.COM

ATACOM.COM

Newegg.com - Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail its only 120

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

GEIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC3200 400MHz DC 2.5 8-4-4 2.5-2.8 Blue Alum - DDR Value Series Dual Channel Kit GE2GB3200BDCK shipped for about 106$

alright then, here's the plan:

Grab that Gskill (looks like the best latency for the money to me)

Sell my corsairs, which seem like they'll still catch a pretty penny

Buy X2 3800 with the leftover cash

edit:
one more thing: if performance is so bad with more than 2 sticks, why did DFI bother putting 4 slots on my board?

Quote: Originally Posted by _Sexy_Pants_ alright then, here's the plan: Grab that Gskill (looks like the best latency for the money to me) Sell my corsairs, which seem like they'll still catch a pretty penny Buy X2 3800 with the leftover cash edit: one more thing: if performance is so bad with more than 2 sticks, why did DFI bother putting 4 slots on my board?

For those n00bs who just buy the board fro braggin rights, and put four 512 sticks in it. And for DFI to say hey we have 4 slots...bragging right, hardly anything to do with performance