RANT____ AND ADVICE!!!! ;-(

[WHATif]

My 3d software needs more RAM.
Maya on W2k can utilize 2GB RAM. My PC has an oldish AMD 2000XP (1.6GHZ) CPU.


So after lot of thinking I decided to wait few months before buying a new dual opertone system and instead upgrade the RAM on my PC to give it more life.

I have 3 RAM slots!

1x256Mb RAM
1x512Mb RAM
1x512Mb RAM

Total = 1.2GB RAM in my PC.

I thought I would take the 256Mb module out and put a 1GB stick to take the total from 1.2 to 2GB!

WRONG!!!!! WHY? because last year my PC was at the shop for repair and while there I told them to put in a 512Mb stick!

The MOFOS put the 512Mb stick in but WRONG mhz!!!! I just realized this now!

So currently in reality I have

1x 256Mb (333Mhz)
1x 512Mb (333Mhz)
&
1x 512Mb (266Mhz!!!!!)

When this happens all the RAM modules drop their speed to 266Mhz plus crashes and major mess up can occur!!!

So I just removed 512Mb (266Mhz) stick out. Now in reality I have only 768Mb!!!!!!!!

So as planned if I buy the 1GB stick my total will go to 1.7GB instead of 2GB I was previously hoping for!!!!

I can't take the 512(266Mhz) module back and complain as that shop does not exist anymore!!!!!!! :-(

The other option is to buy 2x1GB sticks instead of the 1x1GB stick I was planning on and take the total to 2.2GB.

Which ever route I take I will have to discard at least 512Mb of good RAM! that I paid for!!!! Jesus!!!!! for mere $10 profit they put a wrong mhz RAM last year!!! This will cost me $100+
So I guess I will go for 2x1GB PC2700_RAM
Do you think I am silly for buying 2GB for an old system?

 

[WHATif]

?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

If you get 2GB of memory you can use in a newer system then at least it's not a waste of money. You could get 2GB of PC3200 now and then upgrade your motherboard and CPU in the future. You can get 2 x 1GB for around $180.

 

[Silversierra]

2x1gb might be the best option. You could get pc3200 if it's cheaper, it'll underclock, and you could reuse it it you do get a dually later. Have you considered oc'ing if you want more performance?

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: WHATif
?

??

 

[WHATif]

My mobo is a -
Board: MSI MS-6380E 1.0
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 07.00T 04/02/01

It can only take PC2700 and lower according to the manual. I will network this system with the new one in the future to form a renderfarm.
You think I can stick PC3200 RAM in it?

What is the highest CPU it can take? Any ideas? OR is AMD2000XP the limit?

 

[biostud]

buy 2x1Gb PC3200 and instead of buying a dual opteron buy a dualcore A64 so you can use your memory in your next setup.

 

[WHATif]

Yes I would probably get 2x Dualcore A64 but -

Q1) Can I really use PC3200 on my MOBO (Board: MSI MS-6380E 1.0 )? Won't it damage anything?

Q2) When I do buy the dual system won't I be buying something along the line of this RAM????-
DDR2 RAM 256MB PC 533/PC 4200

 

[WHATif]

My MOBO- http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/..._mbd_detail.php?UID=341&MODEL=MS-6380E

 

[WHATif]

DDRRAM 1024MB PC 400/PC 3200 KINGSTON CL3 costs same as the PC2700 RAM...please tell me what to do? Can my MOBO take it?

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: WHATif
DDRRAM 1024MB PC 400/PC 3200 KINGSTON CL3 costs same as the PC2700 RAM...please tell me what to do? Can my MOBO take it?

yes

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: WHATif

Q2) When I do buy the dual system won't I be buying something along the line of this RAM????-
DDR2 RAM 256MB PC 533/PC 4200

not if you stick to a socket 939 solution.

 

[WHATif]

In that case I am not loosing much as PC 3200RAM and PC2700 RAM cost same.
2 more question

Q-1---> If I put 2x1GB PC3200RAM do you think I can slip in the old PC2700 1x512Mb stick to take the total to 2.5GB? OR will that be a NO! NO!

Q-2---> If I use the 2x1GB PC 3200 am I right in thinking that they will work at 333Mhz due to the limitation of the MOBO?

BTW thanks for you help everyone.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: WHATif
In that case I am not loosing much as PC 3200RAM and PC2700 RAM cost same.
2 more question

Q-1---> If I put 1x1GB PC3200RAM do you think I can slip in the old PC2700 1x512Mb stick to take the total to 2.5GB? OR will that be a NO! NO!

Q-2---> If I use the 2x1GB PC 3200 am I right in thinking that they will work at 333Mhz due to the limitation of the MOBO?

BTW thanks for you help everyone.

1. I guess that would be 2x1Gb + 512Mb? and you should be able to do that
2. yes

 

[WHATif]

Yes I meant 2x1GB PC3200RAM + 512Mb PC2700 RAM.

I was told mixing RAM can cause the MOBO/HD to mess up and mess up the boot sector???

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: WHATif
Yes I meant 2x1GB PC3200RAM + 512Mb PC2700 RAM.

I was told mixing RAM can cause the MOBO/HD to mess up and mess up the boot sector???

never heard of that. AFAIK worst case would be that it refuse to boot with the different modules.