2gb or 4gb or 8bg ddr2 RAM

[Chakka]

In going really cheap in my next rig, I just cant believe how cheap ddr2 is...I mean it is shockingly cheap and one reason for me to upgrade to a p35 and another not to go to ddr3 (shockingly expensive).

In looking at DDR2 ram, I can get 2x1gb=2gb of 4-4-4-12 DDR2 pc6400 for as low as $40 after mail in rebates. I can also get a good set of 2x2gb=4gb of 4-4-4-12 DDR2 pc6400 for around $110-$120. Im willing to spend it if it makes that much of a difference...

First question - which may have been asked before is really how much memory do you need to run winxp/vista and games - 2gb, 4gb or 8gb - 8gb seems way too much so Im thinking 2gb or 4gb.

2nd question - if I just get 2 gb now and upgrade later to 4gb OR it is cheaper to go with 4x1gb now too, that means I will have 4 slots filled with 1gb dimms. In the "old" days of ddr1 (which I currently run) having all 4 slots filled caused problems running at pc3200 or caused you to run at 2T instead of 1T. Are there any problems this this these days running 4 slots filled?

[coxmaster]

First off.. you said you wanted XP/Vista.. if you want to actually use all that RAM you are going to need the 64-bit version. I currently run Crysis, CoD4.. and all the other games out there very well with only my 2 GB of RAM. 2 is generally enough, but it depends on what you do.. sometimes 4 might not hurt.

[Victor]

I would say at hte moment going to more than 4GB is a waste. In my day to day uses, 2GB is more than enough even in games and such, but having 4GB would be good idea given to the cheap price of DDR2 and having hte extra space if needed. (also I did notice the system runs smoother if I use 4GB rather than 2GB)

I would say, get 2x2GB as most system prefer to have 2 slots rather than 4slots fill with rams. Also, since th eprice of 2x2GB is so cheap (you can get them for about 60-80 if you shop around with rebate) and have the option of going to 8GB if you need (very unlikely in my opinion).

[Miker]

You need a 64bit OS to use over 3.5G of RAM.

As DDR2 is so cheap just get what you feel is right, I would stick with only 2 sticks though.

PS. Remember, in 1987, people said, "Why will we ever need more then 1024Kbyte of RAM?"

[darkorb]

personally, building a new rig i would get 2x2gb

[werty316]

8GB is kinda overkill and 2GB will do however 4GB is a nice sweet spot.

[SonicWRX]

I'd go with 2 Gigs of RAM at the moment unless you know you are going to work with really big files like video oh high res photo editing. If games is the main use of the system stick with two gigs. However if you are going to go to 4 get it all now. Many times it is very hard to find a second set of sticks that are the same months after you buy them. Not always but it happens. i speak from experience.

[Scott]

I am doing 2x2GB kits. Even with a 32bit OS having the extra RAM was nice. Now in the 64bit world is even nicer.

[zachig]

Yep...Like Scott said, if you're going to use a 64-bit system and mainly if you're going use Vista 64-bit, you should definitely get 4GB of RAM (2x2GB).
But even if you have a 32-bit OS, having 3.5GB or 3.2GB is also much better than having "only" 2GB. ;-)

Now for the 8GB...I think it's just too much, at least nowadays...:roll:

[Scott]

Yep...Like Scott said, if you're going to use a 64-bit system and mainly if you're going use Vista 64-bit, you should definitely get 4GB of RAM (2x2GB).
But even if you have a 32-bit OS, having 3.5GB or 3.2GB is also much better than having "only" 2GB. ;-)

Now for the 8GB...I think it's just too much, at least nowadays...:roll:


But you know when DDR3 gets cheap I will have 8GB :)

[coxmaster]

Im still thinkin about getting another 4GB.. that'll put me at 6 total..

Atleast i got my mobo back from XFX finally!

[Miker]

Nothing uses more then 4GB really, 4GB is a waste in XP, great for Vista, 6GB is just flat out waste, and 4 sticks might make your PC sick.

[werty316]

As long as OS that is used is x64, it doesn't matter if its XP or Vista.

[Chakka]

If I can get quality 2x2gb at 4-4-4-12 pc6400 on sale for under $100, I may just go for it because it does seem users are reporting that 4gb runs smoother than 2gb in some cases - worth the extra $40-$50 imo.

I remember when getting 1gb of ddr1 for under $200 was a deal...Im still shocked at the prices of ddr2...what a deal right now imo.

[Miker]

As long as OS that is used is x64, it doesn't matter if its XP or Vista.

I ment that Vista is a system hog and you need lots of ram. Not that XP can't use it. XP runs great with 2G, Vista needs 4G.

[srpeters18]

I don't know if needs is the right word. I'm running 2GB and just cruising around Vista doing my usual thing, it uses about 400MB. I've never maxed out the memory, not once.

[Miker]

You don't try to use PhotoShop in Vista do you? I use up 2G with 5 pictures sometimes in XP.

[srpeters18]

Nope. Most of what I do is folding and gaming. I can see your point though. But again, need? Maybe some users do, but I certainly don't.

btw, I really like the work I've seen from you so far, so keep up the photoshop!

[Miker]

What I am saying is 2G is all you will ever need for XP, 4G is all you will ever need to Vista.

[Methious]

I went with 2X2 gig of ddr2 800, OCZ Reaper $99 after rebate, timed at 4-4-4-15 2.1 volt.

Why because it's to much for XP, but enough for Vista, and can add 4 more gig if things get crazy about ram.

I traded into mine, but that's the current pricing I found over on the Egg.

[zachig]

But you know when DDR3 gets cheap I will have 8GB :)
Hehehe...I trust you on that one...:lol:

[donpm]

DDR2 is so cheap and there are some great deals out there on PC6400 and PC 8000. So 4g's for sure! And do run Vista 64.

[Chakka]

DDR2 is so cheap and there are some great deals out there on PC6400 and PC 8000. So 4g's for sure! And do run Vista 64.

Yes just checked on the egg and prices dropped after mail in rebate on geil and ocz 4-4-4-12 pc6400 to $100 or less...what a time to upgrade!

[zachig]

what a time to upgrade!
That's exactly why I've recently upgraded to 4GB (2x2GB) OCZ Gold DDR2 PC2-6400 5-5-5-18! :grin: