Is PC3200 enough?

[SpeedFreak03]

I see the Buffalo 512MB PC3200 Winbond chip memory at Newegg, and I was wondering if this would work ok with my future AMD AthlonXP Barton 2500 and Abit NF7-S (nForce2 chipset). Here are my questions:

1. Are there any known issues with Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) memory and the Abit NF7-S?

2. Is this good ram in your opinion?

3. Can you recommend any better 512MB DDR ram for under $100 (one stick not 2x256)?

4. Is PC3200 memory (DDR400/200MHz) fast enough for a Barton 2500 (dont plan to o/c)?

5. Any other comments/suggestions/hints about this mobo/cpu combo?

Thanks for all your guys help (and in the past) with building my new box. I am sure it will be quite an upgrade from my Shuttle AI61/AMD Athlon K7 850MHz/192MB PC100!

-Josh

 

[JammingJay]

1) Don't know, haven't used ABit NF7-S

2) Its decent memory. Some claim hit or miss with the memory, but overall its received a good rating

3) Yes - Kingston HyperX PC3200 512mb for $98 shipped through Kingston's website using the boost promo link

4) Yes PC3200 is plenty fast for a Barton 2500 especially for not OC

5) Haven't used it, so can't really comment on it

 

[Johnbear007]

Bufallo is hit or miss. Sometimes it good, sometimesnot. You can get Crucial pc 3200 for 89$. I would just buy the crucial, unless you are going to be pushing the FSB way past 200, which you arent going to with that barton.

You are going to set the FSB at at 200 most likely and stop. Thats about the limit for most bartons, but still a pretty amazing overclock. I think the chip will limit you before the memory if you have good pc3200.

Crucial will be stable. And its more than enough speed.

 

[Johnbear007]

Oh I also noticed that you said you dont plan to Oc.

If that is the case, then DEFINITLEY go with the crucial.

BTW, why arent you going to OC? YOu can set the FSB to 200mhz and BAM you have a 3200+ with no work at all.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I looked around a little bit, and I found this ram at NewEgg: Link GEIL DDR RAM 512MB PC-3200 Value 400MHz Ultra- CAS 2.5, 2T Command With Extreme Performance Heat SpreaderGL5123200B Value. DDR400, CAS 2.5, 184 Pin Dimm, High Quality 6 Layer PCB OEM - Lifetime Warranty. High Performance at Affortable Price!!! Model#: GL512PC3200B

In the 2 reviews they have listed it did well, and I googled a few other reviews, and it also did very well in those. In your guy's opinion, is this decent ram? And if I ever did overclock, would it work ok (I think to hit 3200+ speeds you up the FSB to 200)? Thanks again, Josh.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Oh Im not going to OC at the beginning because I dont have enough money for a nicer HSF lol. But if I get more $$$ then I will. 3200+ speeds is niiiiiiiice. Would that crucial o/c well though? And where is the Crucial ram $89? NewEgg wants $105...Linky

 

[slightlyhuman]

1. Are there any known issues with Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) memory and the Abit NF7-S? i had 512 3200 and 2x256 3200 twinmos/windbond, oc's very nice

2. Is this good ram in your opinion? yes very good ram for the money
no
3. Can you recommend any better 512MB DDR ram for under $100 (one stick not 2x256)?

4. Is PC3200 memory (DDR400/200MHz) fast enough for a Barton 2500 (dont plan to o/c)?yes get 256 stiicks they OC better than 512

5. Any other comments/suggestions/hints about this mobo/cpu combo?nah

 

[BurnItDwn]

1. I don't have an answer
2. I don't have any experience with this ram
3. Not sure, if you aren't going to overclock ... any kinston, Corsair, Mushkin, or Samsung should be just fine.
4. PC2700 RAM is fast enough for a barton 2500 without overclocking it. If you aren't going to overclock, PC3200 is overkill.
PS ... some ram will run quite nicely out of spec, I have some old PC2700 Samsung thats currently running 202 DDR cas 2.5, while I had a stick of OCZ "garbage crap" Pc3000 that could not handle anything over 133 DDR stable.

 

[Johnbear007]

Crucial RAM is always cheapest direct from crucial.com


Any PC3200 should do 200MHZ, as that is it's rated speed.

 

[ThatDumbGuy]

You don't necessarily need a new HSF to OC your barton to 200FSB. There are a great many who do it on stock cooling alone and have no problems with temps or stability.