Which one for new build.

C

CorySrt19

New Member
Hello,
Im relatively new to the computer building world and have a few questions about which type of Ram to choose for my new PC. It will be used for gaming, video editing, etc. I know that I need 240-Pin DDR2 but what I need help with is understanding the performance difference between 1066 and 800 types.

For Example I am looking at these three items from NewEgg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227191

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227334

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

So here are my questions which i hope some of you will be able to help me with.

Which of these would give the best performance?

Would it just be straight overkill to get 2 sets of the 2x2 gb 800s for a total of 8gbs?

And is it true that only using 2 of the 4 Ram slots gives better performance than taking up all 4?

Thanks in advance.

Oh and also one more question, what do the timing things mean for each Ram stick, i dont really understand that and how it affects performance.
 
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The first thing to look at would be the board the memory will be used on before simply picking the best memory. First you have to know what the board itself will support not pick a board for a certain speed and type memory. That's working in reverse.

OCZ is one of the best brands as well as Kingston with a Black Friday special seeing all memory prices coming down sharply. But when looking at memory for a board it also depends on how much 2gb or 4gb you plan to run as well as timings for any gaming build.

The Hyper X DDR2 800 memory at the link here sees 4-4-4-12 CAS Latency of 4 compared to the OCZ's 5 seen on all three there. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104043

You'll note that the Kingston memory seen there runs at a lower 1.95v compared to the 2-2.1v seen with the OCZ memory meaning it will run a little cooler then it's OCZ competitor's DDR2 800 memory there. 1066 memory seeing higher 2.2-2.5v requirements can easily be oced 800 memory at times.
 
CorySrt19 said:
Oh and also one more question, what do the timing things mean for each Ram stick, i dont really understand that and how it affects performance.
Click to expand...

To really understand how memory timings work you would have to go to school since the language gets rather technical. A good reference that breaks this down in simplified terms can be looked over at http://www.techpowerup.com/printarticle.php?id=131

For most the lowest timings generally are looked at for an increase in overall system performance especially for gaming builds. It usually turns out to be simply put one small step rather then any big leap there however since other factors have to be weighed in like the video card, cpu, board, even some going for the faster then average WD Raptor hard drives.
 
you can read the internet and learn most things. Some courses are nice, but a lot are not where most of the knowledge comes from.
Just buy an A+ type book/study guide & read the Internet (meaning facts; i.e. published papers, etc)
 
A+ courses tend to be geared more at networking while the other courses get into hardware basics. Even with all that however nothing will beat actual hands on experience you accumilate over time. That goes with anything you study pcs, medicine, cnc programming, etc..
 
PC eye said:
A+ courses tend to be geared more at networking while the other courses get into hardware basics. Even with all that however nothing will beat actual hands on experience you accumilate over time. That goes with anything you study pcs, medicine, cnc programming, etc..
Click to expand...

Not sure what A+ course you took, but mine was for PC Tech certification.
CCNA, MCSE, etc are networking.

Edit: This sounds a little 'holier than thou' & I don't mean to come across that way.
 
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I was given a cd for one course being taought by a now 40yr. tech who started off with one of the big companies back in the late 60s to look over. That dealt with a lot of networking along with only some of the hardware basics being covered. That was about 6-7yrs. ago now however.
 
tyttebøvs said:
What is best. CL4 at 800 Mhz or CL5 at 1066?
Click to expand...

With current CPU's I'd think everyone would choose 1066. Double the clock & sacrifice minute latency. With DDR3 the 7 vs 9 may be greater (assumption) pending the line capacity & DDR3 bandwidth.

StrangleHold said:
Is there a difference in CL and CAS and tCL?
Click to expand...

CAS = CL
tCL ? total CL? If so, there must be a slight diff (averaging latency).

To learn about memory, this seems like someone who knows there stuff (i.e. not hearsay) http://www.dewassoc.com/performance/memory/cas_latency.htm


For furture info: A+ Cert is to work on computers
Cisco/Microsoft Network are for network techs
Everything else is minute and petty compared to the above.
 
tCL ? total CL? If so, there must be a slight diff (averaging latency).
Click to expand...
Not quite. Believe me when I say, StrangleHold already knows this: CL, CAS, tCL is all the same thing.
 
I wasn't sure if these were rhetorical questions or not.
Seems a few don't understand memory though. Where's the pound head on wall icon.
 
shempf said:
Not sure what A+ course you took, but mine was for PC Tech certification.
CCNA, MCSE, etc are networking.
Click to expand...

The later part there is referred to an IT A+ certification based on networking and network technology more then anything. The refresher I was mentioning earlier was career training at one school. That was a few years after attending a local college.

shempf said:
I wasn't sure if these were rhetorical questions or not.
Seems a few don't understand memory though. Where's the pound head on wall icon.
Click to expand...

Cromewell is CF's resident expert in that dept.! :P The remarks made by someone else are merely smear attempts and nothing to worry about.
 
CompTIA A+ Certification
Earning CompTIA A+ certification proves that a candidate has the latest skills needed by today’s computer support professionals. CompTIA A+ confirms a technician's ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking (My book has 1 chapter out of 20 & it doesn't compare to CCNA). The exams also cover domains such as security, safety and environmental issues and communication and professionalism.

CompTIA Network+ Certification fluff
Earning a CompTIA Network+ certification demonstrates that a candidate can describe the features and functions of networking components, and possesses the knowledge and skills needed to install, configure and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols and services. The exam tests technical ability in the areas of media and topologies, protocols and standards, network implementation and network support.

CompTIA RFID+ Certification
Earning a CompTIA RFID+ certification validates an RFID technician’s knowledge and skills in the areas of installation, maintenance, repair, and upkeep of hardware and software functionality of RFID products.

CompTIA Security+ Certification generic
Earning a CompTIA Security+ certification demonstrates proof of knowledge and expertise in security topics, such as communication security, infrastructure security, cryptography, access control, authentication, external attack and operational and organization security.

CompTIA Server+ Certification
Earning a CompTIA Server+ certification validates advanced-level technical competency of server issues and technology; including installation, configuration, upgrading, maintenance, environment, and troubleshooting and disaster recovery. This certification is intended for mid to upper-level technicians.

CompTIA CTT+ Certification
Earning a CompTIA CTT+ certification proves excellence in preparation, presentation, communication, facilitation and evaluation in a classroom environment. CompTIA CTT+ is a two-part exam: computer-based and video-based.

CompTIA CDIA+ Certification
Earning a CompTIA Certified Document Imaging Architech (CDIA+) certification validates expertise in the technologies and best practices used to plan, design, and specify a document imaging and management system.

CompTIA Linux+ Certification
Earning a CompTIA Linux+ certification proves that a candidate can explain fundamental open source resources/licenses, demonstrate knowledge of user administration, understand file permissions/software configurations and manage local storage devices and network protocols.

CompTIA Project+ Certification
Earning a CompTIA Project+ certification validates fundamental project management skills. It covers the entire project life cycle from initiation and planning through execution, acceptance, support and closure.

CompTIA Convergence+ Certification
Earning a CompTIA Convergence+ certification proves knowledge and skills in the area of Communications Technologies (CT), where datacomm, telephony/telecommunications, video and broadcast multimedia technologies combine into a single IP-based delivery system.

CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ Certification
Earning a CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ certification demonstrates that a candidate can configure, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and comprehend the basic design concepts of electronic and digital home systems.

CompTIA PDI+ Certification
CompTIA PDI+ certification proves that a candidate has the knowledge and skills to provide basic support for printing and document imaging devices. The exam covers domains such as print and scan processes and components, basic electromechanical tools, color theory as well as the soft skills of customer service and professionalism and safety and environment.

CCNA Certification
The Cisco CCNA network associate certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. This new curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills. This new curriculum also includes (but is not limited to) the use of these protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, access control lists (ACLs)

MSCE
as always nav on MS website isn't quick
 
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And the list goes on and on and ... There are all kinds of certifications. You left out Oracle as well as Novell too. Then you have MS MVP to add to the list as well as seeing this thread go way off base.
 
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