1mb L2 Cache vs. 512kb

[agathodaimon]

Great!
The 3700 is what I was leaning towards anyways.
Now, just a little more saving up, and I should be good to go...

I always get confused when it comes to picking out memory too, because PC3200 seems to be all that anyone really needs, yet there's so many faster speeds out there... I don't know what uses you'd get out of ram that fast besides overclocking... Or is that the ONLY use for it?

[pheonix_789]

no no no! get a sempron!!! he he he !

[pheonix_789]

well faster loading times of programs! and a faster system speed! with faster ram!

[SoloCamo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agathodaimon

Great!
The 3700 is what I was leaning towards anyways.
Now, just a little more saving up, and I should be good to go...

I always get confused when it comes to picking out memory too, because PC3200 seems to be all that anyone really needs, yet there's so many faster speeds out there... I don't know what uses you'd get out of ram that fast besides overclocking... Or is that the ONLY use for it?

well there are two advatanges of higher speed memory.

#1 and main reason: overclockability (obviously)
#2: Sometimes you can find higher speed memory with tight timings cheaper then tight timings pc3200 memory.

[agathodaimon]

You know, I've never understood memory timings....
"3-4-4-8"... Whatever, it's all Chinese to me.

What is considered "good" timing, and what would be considered "bad".
It's about time I learned this.

[SoloCamo]

Well for athlon 64's tighter timing are best, just as they are for any cpu, but p4's don't get affected by them nearly as much.

The tightest possible timings you could get are 2-2-2-5 which is some real expensive ram.

The possibly loosest you want your timnigs to be are 2.5-3-3-8 if you aren't overclocking. Any decent ram will get you that.

the first number is the CL or Cas latency and is the most important thing to look for when buying ram. If you give me a price range I can find you the best ram for your needs.

[agathodaimon]

Well, I'd like the keep the ram (1GB) around $100 or LESS.... If it's possible.
I don't mind a 2.5 CL if that's what $100 will get me.

[SoloCamo]

honestly you won't notice a visual performance difference between even cl3and cl2 so 100 dollars for 2x 512 sticks is fine

I'll find you a good set

edit:/ Corsair ValueSelect is great for the non-overclocker and performs well

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440

fits your price range

[Xtreeme]

As mhz of mem increases CL (Cas Latency) is less important. In the days of p66 sdram cas was a huge factor. But in DDR 400 and DDRII land its so little difference I wouldnt concern yourself with it.

[SoloCamo]

True xtreeme, but lower CL is better nonetheless. On P4's it makes like NO difference in performance at all even, in benchies.

If he isn't overclocking he might aswell go for decent timings.