Questions regarding the DIMMs that are listed are - 1) Why are the bandwidths not as wide on the larger chips as the smaller chips 2) Is the higher latency of the larger chips made up for by having more rows and colums per DIMM 3) Would the larger chips take a notch out of the performance of gaming 4) Would it ever benefit me to have 4 GB of memory as opposed to 2 GB 5) What is the difference between the two Corsair DIMMs Mushkin 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3500 Level One Dual Pack - Retail $295.00 Model# 991091 Item # N82E16820146294 Specifications: Manufacturer: Mushkin Speed: DDR433(PC3500) Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM Error Checking: Non-ECC Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered Cas Latency: 2-3-3 Support Voltage: 2.5V-2.75V Bandwidth: 3.5GB/s Organization: two 64M x 64-Bit Warranty: Lifetime Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series,(Twin Pack) 184 Pin 2GB(1GB x 2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail $520.25 Model# TWINX 2048-3200 Item # N82E16820145486 TwinX2048-3200 consists of a matched pair of CMX2048-3200 memory modules. Specifications: Manufacturer: Corsair Speed: DDR400(PC3200) Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM Error Checking: Non-ECC Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered Cas Latency: 3-3-3-8 Support Voltage: 2.6V Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s Organization: two 128Mx64-Bit Warranty: Lifetime Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 2GB(1GB x 2) DDR PC-3200PT - Retail $542.00 Model# TwinX 2048-3200PT Item # N82E16820145491 TwinX2048-3200PT consists of a matched pair of CMX1024-3200PT memory modules. Specifications: Manufacturer: Corsair Speed: DDR400(PC3200) Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM Error Checking: Non-ECC Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered Cas Latency: 3-3-3-8 Support Voltage: 2.6V Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s Organization: two 128Mx64 -Bit Warranty: Lifetime
The classic philosophy of "The more RAM the better" still applies. The corsair XMS memory packs loser timings but it is higher performance because the memory modules respond differently to the RAM over typical modules, so it will perform better. As such, those timings really arent worth paying too much attention to. 4 gigs of RAM is definitely more desirable than 2 gigs.
At the moment, I wouldn't say you need any more than 1GB for anything but graphic design tasks, and even with those you'd have to be pretty hardcore to need more than 2GB. The disadvantages of 2GB are rather sizeable, especially if you're planning on performance/overclocking - you can either use 4x512MB or 2x1GB, and each has its problems - chipsets don't tend to like overclocking 4 sticks at all as much as just two, leading to lower FSBs and maybe needing relaxed timings, and with the 1GB sticks you're looking at relaxed timings anyway because of higher density, and they probably won't overclock as well either (though I've not actually seen anyone try overclocking gig sticks). As to your questions - 1) the bandwidths on the 1GB sticks are lower because the timings are looser. 2) No, the latency increase is partially to do with the increased density of the ICs. 3) Yes they would, as described above you'll probably not clock them as far, and the timings being looser will also have an impact. 4) At the moment? I can't think of anything that you'd need 4GB of RAM to do, no. In a couple of years, it's more probable that you could use it, yes. 5) It's just the colour of the heatspreader - the non-PT p/n has black heatspreaders, the PT has platinum heatspreaders. What're you actually wanting to do with this computer? It might help us let you know how much RAM you really need...
personally, i'd look into 2 sets of these: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-523&depa=0 Model# TWINX1024-3200XLPT Item # N82E16820145523 Specifications: Manufacturer: CORSAIR Speed: DDR400(PC3200) Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Error Checking: Non-ECC Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered Cas Latency: 2-2-2-5 Support Voltage: 2.75V Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s Organization: two 64M x 64-Bit Special Features: Plug-n-FragTM Auto-Configuration - Boots automatically using the Xtra-Low latency values of 2-2-2-5 Warranty: Lifetime 250.25$ per GB. not bad, considering it's probably the kik-assest ram corsair has put out yet (that isnt ecc/buffered server ram)
Besides gaming and flight simulators, I want to process video, use Photochop, Macromedia products such as Director, Flash MX, Dreamweaver MX, and Freehand. This will be on an nForce 4 board, with an FX-55, Maxtor III 300 GB drives and Raptors. I already have the Viewsonic VP201S which is a 20" LCD with a 16 MS response time with a native resolution of 1600 x 1284. I also have the pair of Raptors waiting for the rest of the system. I am considering the top of the line ATI PCI-e video card as well.
OK, I'd still say that you in no way need 4GB though. Probably what tk421 suggested is your best option, TCCD will be fast at 200MHz and get faster as you loosen the timings, even with the penalty for 4 sticks on the memory controller. Anyway, all your questions are answered in my last post, if you want to know anything else feel free to ask
