Better RAM Upgrade

[Indybird]

Do the poll, which upgrade do you think would show better performance?
Replacing my current 2GB of OCZ DDR2 800 Modules with 2GB of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069)
-or-
Adding a 1GB of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227082) to my setup.

Mind you, I have a lot of background programs running during gaming and do a lot of extremely high-res photo editing (20,000x20,000+ pixels). I'd like an upgrade that would improve both my gaming and other tasks somewhat equally.

-Indybird

[crenn]

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to keep your overclock, it's better to use the faster modules as overclocking with 4 sticks of RAM is a bad idea.

[Indybird]

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to keep your overclock, it's better to use the faster modules as overclocking with 4 sticks of RAM is a bad idea.

I'm not planning on overclocking with with the 3GB of DDR2 800. I'd only overclock if I got the 2GB DDR2 1066.

By the way, I voted Neither so that I could see the results without my vote affecting it.

-Indybird

[crenn]

So when you get the RAM, you'll be taking your CPU speed down to 333x9 again?

[Indybird]

So when you get the RAM, you'll be taking your CPU speed down to 333x9 again?

If I get the 2GB 1066 RAM, I will redo my overclock. If I get the Extra 1GB of DDR2 800 RAM, I will keep the Processor exactly overclocked as is. Since that new RAM is running at the exact same speed as my current RAM, there will be no problems.

-Indybird

[crenn]

That's not always the case.

[Indybird]

That's not always the case.

eh? The RAM has the exact same speed and timing as my current RAM. In fact it is just the 1GB version of my set. I don't know what would go wrong...

-Indybird

[crenn]

When using 4 sticks of RAM the chipset has to work harder for that overclock, I can basically tell you that you won't have the same overclock afterwards because you'll have to bring the speed down.

[xRyokenx]

I say upgrade as later on you'll probably need the better RAM anyway, so may as well do it now.

[crenn]

I think the performance you seek will be best reflected in the 1066 rated upgrade RAM.

I am sure your current setup can handle whatever you are doing now. With the upgraded ram it will do it a little more.. zippier....ly :think:

-Jeremy
If he runs the 1066MHz at the 800 he has it currently, then he will see an increase in performance due to the fact that it will use lower timings.

[Indybird]

I find myself maxing out my RAM a lot, and then needing more. Do you think 1066 will help solve that problem?

Also, I don't have my current RAM overclocked. As I said, it is at its default speed DDR2 800. So I won't have to worry about overclock stability.

-Indybird

[xRyokenx]

Faster RAM might help more than more slower RAM... you can always buy more of the better stuff later.

[Indybird]

I think I'll go with the 1066 RAM, I'm getting Crucial Ballistix since they are the most overclockable. I've looked at the reviews on newegg and most people get them up to DDR2 1200, with out sacrificing the timings too badly.

Since Im not getting it any time soon, I suppose I don't have to worry too much, but I thought it would be a good idea to get everyone's opinion & input.

-Indybird

[crenn]

Fair enough, I was looking at RAM modules for when I do upgrade.

[Stockholm1984]

If you're planning on waiting would it be worth considering DDR3 modules too? I know at the moment 2GB of the stuff is rediculously expensive but you know how these prices have the tendancy to come tumbling down. Though, thinking about it again, you'd have to upgrade your MB too. Depends how big an upgrade you'd be willing to do. Btw, as you can probably guess, I'm thinking out loud here. Whats everyone else's forecast as to when DDR3 may be a realistic option?

[Indybird]

Im thinking DDR3 will be somewhat feasible by this time next year. There will be a large Motherboard support, faster clock speeds, lower latencies and lower prices.

-Indybird

[progbuddy]

Just overclock your current RAM, get some heatspreaders.

[crenn]

OCZ comes with heat spreaders!