DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

I'm running a mainboard (pretty cr@p one) that accepts both DDR and SDRAM. I want to upgrade it.

Its running an AthlonXP 2000+ and I have 2 choices for memory:

1) 1Gb PC133 SDRAM
2) 512Mb of PC2700 DDR

Which would give the better performance increase ? Both cost around the same.

Thanks

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

If the board is an Elite k7s5a, which is normally a giveaway by the SDR/DDR option you mention, then I would say DDR and not just for the performance difference!

Cheers,

Nick

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

You guess correct What other differences should I expect to see then

Thanks

super_si

you'll have 512mb and not 1024

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

You probabaly have a 'good' one of those boards, but quite a few of them have been known to to have major issues running SDRAM syncronously with the 133 fsb on the CPU. Adding more sticks certainly won't make the system any more stable and could end up making yours unstable if working fine currently. Everyone that that has had these issues with those boards have either got shot of them or fitted DDR instead.

Cheers,

Nick

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Know what you mean. 2 of my mates have the same board and can't run at 133/133 at all. Luckily mine runs fine and is solid as a rock at all speeds Hopefully it won't all fall apart when I switch to DDR

Thanks for the input

BTW, its coming from Crucial. Good idea ? Will it be a decent performance increase from 384Mb PC133 ?

[Edited by DJ Dunk - 1/13/2003 12:45:11 PM]

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Dunno with that board tbh. Certainly wont be mind-blowing from memory, but better than nowt I think that Dom A and one or 2 others have more experience with those boards than me.

Crucial DDR is spot on, so yes, a good choice

Cheers,

Nick

DominicA

Indeed, i'd expect at least a 20-30% performance inprovement in games etc... dependant on graphics card as well.... go for the 512Mb2700 as you can always move it to a newer machine... most people wouldn't see the benefit of 1Gb RAM.... be sure to order the crucial ram for the K7s5a and not just any 512Mb dimm as these boards have been proven to be VERY fussy with regard to RAM specs... I'm running a stable K7s5a with 2 crucial 256Mb 2100 dimms and no problems... for any additional info see the link below

http://www.ocworkbench.com/ocwbcgi/u...ubb=forum&f=37

btw when this board came out it was quicker than the kt266a based boards..

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Dom, that may well be but remember that age-old saying 'you can't polish a turd'

I didn't remember that the ddr memory controller side of those boards was actually an efficient one. Mind you, I can't know everything at all times

Cheers,

Nick

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Another link, with a lot of the bad alongside the good

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/forumd...35c&forumid=61

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Great link, thanks I'll have a read.