Cheapest place for DDR 3200 RAM? And a lil advice wtd

Cactus_Jack

I'm after the best price for a 1GB stick of RAM, or 2 x 512mb. I'd prefer high quality branded RAM, but nothing extreme. I don't think I'd need overclockers RAM.

My PC is from 2002 but I think I'll get the 3200 DDR RAM in case I upgrade it all in future - then I can keep the memory. Then again, if any 2700 DDR is going for dirt cheap, I may consider that.

I'm a bit unsure about whether to buy a 1 x 1GB stick or 2 x 512. My motherboard only has the two memory slots, which are presently filled with 2 x 256mb.

So I could put in a 1GB and a 256, and be left over with a 256, or two 512's but then I'm left over with two 256's. Would 2 x 512s work better than 1 x 1GB and a 256mb?

The RAM that is in at the moment is old DDR 2100 RAM. Would that work together with a stick of 3200 or would it hinder performance?

Wanting the RAM to go with the 6600GT on its way from eBay

Thanks for reading

StockportGerbil

FWIW I bought a matched pair of Geil 1Gb DDR 3200 memory from Microdirect (https://www.microdirect.co.uk) yesterday. They were £105ish all in. Aria were offering 512Mb Samsung memory for a bit over £20 recently as a web super special.

yelac21271

have a look here at scan

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Products.ASP?CatID=22&FilterCategories=163&Thumbnails=yes

Corsair value select PC3200 £49.35

Don't think you would go far wrong with that

Cactus_Jack

yelac21271 wrote:

have a look here at scan

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Products.ASP?CatID=22&FilterCategories=163&Thumbnails=yes

Corsair value select PC3200 £49.35

Don't think you would go far wrong with that

Excellent price, thank you.

Can anyone answer my question as to whether the system would perform better with two 512mb sticks as compared to a 1GB (DDR 3200) stick and a 256mb (DDR 2100) stick? I seem to have heard the phrase dual channel if this means anything.

If not, I think I'll go with the Corsair from Scan. Although I would then have 2 x 256mb sticks with no use and probably little re-sell value.

pauln90

Before you buy any ram you should ensure that your Pc can take it.If your Pc was built in 2002 the motherboard may not support PC 3200 Ram.I would suggest as a first step that you either consult your motherboard manual or go to a RAM manufacturers site such as Crucial and use their online compatibility table.

If you mix Pc 2100 and Pc 3200 you may get compatibility issues or the memory may just run at the speed of the slowest memory chip.

ribenagirl

Cactus_Jack wrote:

Excellent price, thank you.

Can anyone answer my question as to whether the system would perform better with two 512mb sticks as compared to a 1GB (DDR 3200) stick and a 256mb (DDR 2100) stick? I seem to have heard the phrase dual channel if this means anything.

If not, I think I'll go with the Corsair from Scan. Although I would then have 2 x 256mb sticks with no use and probably little re-sell value.

It all depends on your mainboard. If your mainboard is a couple of years old, it's unlikely to have dual channel technology, which is different to having two slots for memory. Also agree with previous post - can your mainboard definitely take PC3200? If you can get dual channel, you need to make sure that you get a 'matched pair' - RAM for dual channel motherboards is sold in identical matched pairs. Any discrepancies, even with brands, can mean they won't work.

bytenserve

Try
http://www.crucial.com/uk

Select the 'Memory Advisor Tool' on the left. Either select the manufacture link or download the Scan my system.

Either way you'll get a recommended RAM for your PC and which Option. There are also Install Guides which show you what to do and there are also recommendations on which slot you use. I think I'm right in saying, IF you order Larger RAM than currenly installed then you will install the new ram in the first slot.

Hope that helps

StockportGerbil

Hi!
I've had trouble mixing memory, so would advise against banking on it working. On the other hand if your motherboard can support PC3200 then what harm is there trying the 1Gb and 256Mb together? If it doesn't work reliably then take out the 256Mb stick and sell it on ebay where I think it still has some value.
Regards
Kevin