RAM Upgrade Scenarios

[Richard Lee]

Hi. I'd like to upgrade the RAM on a computer that is about 2 years
old. The original RAM is a single stick of Micron PC2700 (333 Mhz)
CL2.5.

There are some pretty good deals after rebates on RAM from time to
time. One such offer is for PC3200 (400 Mhz) CL 3 by Viking. Another
is a Kingston PC3200 (the CAS latency is not specified). All the
specials I have seen are for PC3200. I am willing to get rid of the
one existing stick PC2700 RAM and replace it with a couple of PC3200.

I was wondering what is the effect
- if I replace all the RAM with PC3200 CL3 while keeping all other
components as is including the motherboard
- if I add a stick of PC3200 CL3 to the existing PC2700 CL2.5?

What is your opinion on brand name vs "no name" RAM?

Do gold contact vs copper contact make any difference or is this just
hype?

Thanks.

 

[Tony Hill]

Hi. I'd like to upgrade the RAM on a computer that is about 2 years
old. The original RAM is a single stick of Micron PC2700 (333 Mhz)
CL2.5.

There are some pretty good deals after rebates on RAM from time to
time. One such offer is for PC3200 (400 Mhz) CL 3 by Viking. Another
is a Kingston PC3200 (the CAS latency is not specified). All the
specials I have seen are for PC3200. I am willing to get rid of the
one existing stick PC2700 RAM and replace it with a couple of PC3200.

I was wondering what is the effect
- if I replace all the RAM with PC3200 CL3 while keeping all other
components as is including the motherboard
- if I add a stick of PC3200 CL3 to the existing PC2700 CL2.5?

In the second scenario your memory will all run at PC2700 speeds,
probably at CAS 2.5. It'll be a case of best common denominator. The
PC3200 CL3 memory will definitely run at PC2700 CL3 settings, but it
will likely also have an option to run at PC2700 CL2.5 settings.


FWIW the difference between CL2.5 and CL3.0 memory is so small that it
gets lost within the margin of error on benchmarks. There's no way
you'll ever notice it in real-world use.

What is your opinion on brand name vs "no name" RAM?

These days I wouldn't touch "no name" RAM with a 50' pole. The
difference in price is virtually nil unless you get the REALLY sketchy
no-name stuff, and that stuff usually ends up being refurbs, stuff
people have previously returned or stuff that blatantly cut corners in
the design.

If you go to an on-line store like www.ncix.com (Canadian based
store.. I'm assuming you're in Canada due to the @rogers.com in your
headers) you can get some 512MB Samsung branded DIMMs for about $50
CDN (varies slightly from one week to the next, check their sales
flyer off the front page). This is often less than what they sell
generic no-name memory for.

Do gold contact vs copper contact make any difference or is this just
hype?

100% hype, as are head spreaders and blinky lights.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

100% hype, as are head spreaders and blinky lights.

Blinky lights let you see the performance of your RAM!

Yousuf Khan

 

[keith]

Blinky lights let you see the performance of your RAM!

I understand that, but what function do "head spreaders" perform? OTOH,
perhaps I don't want to know. ;-)

 

[Grant Schoep]

100% hype, as are head spreaders and blinky lights.

Isn't it true though, that, having differing metal between the contacts and
the socket can actually cause a small electrical current? i.e. a battery? I
know I can make small electric current with a number of different metals
with a little salt water covered paper in the middle. Though... hehe I
probably don't want salt water covered paper in my box, or any one elses
for that matter.

-grant