memory specs

[browolf]

my mobo uses pc3200 memory (DDR400/333). which is rapidly becoming obsolete and double the price of slightly newer more available memory. Can i put newer types of memory in that are cheaper? will DDR2, which seems to be the next step up, work with a DDR mobo?

[john]

You can only use DDR in a DDR Motherboard, not DDR2

[browolf]

damn

[localzuk]

Where are you looking to find DDR ram which is double the price of DDR2? The price for a matched pair of corsair 1GB sticks (ie. total 2GB) is £65.74 inc VAT at aria.co.uk (DDR), £45.53 (DDR2 PC2-6400) or £47.59 (DDR2 PC2-5300). So yes, there is a 30% difference, but that was a quick 2 minute look - I'm sure you can find a better deal than that.

 

However, I would say that it may be time to update generally if you are on DDR ram - as this probably won't be the biggest bottleneck on your machine.

[PeterW]

You already have 2GB were you going to add another 2GB? If so are you going to be moving to a 64 bit OS, as already mentioned you may want to hang onto the cash and put it towards new Mainboard/CPU/DDR2.

[browolf]

no actually im considering replacing 4 x 512 with 2 x 1gb.

my reasoning being 4 sticks seems to generate a lot of heat. when i only had 2 sticks being dual channel they were much further apart.

my case has temp sensors wires which i have stuck between my pairs of ram. normal running temp is around 37C which rises upto 45C when i play games. Obviously they're being utilized a lot more. lord of the rings online for instance makes ram usage go up to at least 1.4gb. before i bought a one of these

 

Scythe Karma bay fan

 

to get more air in towards my ram (its open space between this and my ram) the memory temp would get upto 50. past 50 things started crashing.

 

and yet my other system temps seem pretty good (idleish ~ web browsing)

30C CPU

25C SYS

38C PWM

36C Graphics card

28C HD0

22C HD1

 

its possibly that I need faster fans. All my fans are quiet 800rpm. I have now 3 case fans 2 (air in) on the front and 1 (air out) on the back. the other thing im considering is replacing the stock fan on the scythe with a 1600rpm one. that should make more difference.

[contink]

its possibly that I need faster fans. All my fans are quiet 800rpm. I have now 3 case fans 2 (air in) on the front and 1 (air out) on the back. the other thing im considering is replacing the stock fan on the scythe with a 1600rpm one. that should make more difference.

Hmm... well you could always consider water cooling (no experience personally on that) or if you can manage it, perhaps look at whether you could fit some bigger fans...

 

Beyond that you could also think about some customisations ie: putting a fan above your memory and blowing air down onto the sticks. Not something I'd recommend unless you're really bored or slightly nuts