RAM for my new computer. What do you think I should get?
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
As much as you can afford.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
I swear, if these threads get any more boring, I will starting posting naked pictures. And not of nice things either.
Get 512, and if that's not enough, get another 512 later. Duh.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
quote:Originally posted by PsyLiam: I swear, if these threads get any more boring, I will starting posting naked pictures. And not of nice things either.
Just how in the hell did you get naked pictures of me!?
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
Well, the thing is, if I want 512 now and 512 later, then that means I can't update to 2048. At least that's what my motherboard tells me.
Upgradeability, that's the key.
Posted by Grokca (Member # 722) on :
quote:Just how in the hell did you get naked pictures of me!?
And why do you have them?
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
By the time you feel like getting more than a gig of RAM (as in this here computer), it'll probably be time to get a new computer all-together.
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Unless of course, you don't mind being back dated, or are too poor to upgrade in to the GHz realm....
The later of which is me...
I downgraded to a 350 MHz system with an odd 448 MB RAM.....
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
"I will starting posting naked pictures. And not of nice things either."
Of yourself, then?
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
I'm puttering around with 256MB of RAM with no problems at all...
God knows why you'd need 2048MB.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
Ask again in two years. B)
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
I have 512 MB DDR333. Because 1024 costs twice as much 8)
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
I've currently got 384. I have another 512 sitting in a drawer, 133 Mhz as well, but haven't bothered to install it.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Do you want 1024 meg of RAM because you need it, or because you think you should have it?
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
Which is a valid point, I barely saw any performance difference going from 512MB to 1GB RAM, and this is on a dual-channel Nforce2 board, mind you. I suspect that applications that would ever benefit from *2GB* RAM would be oh, video editing, a database server, a web server, and so forth.
In short, if you need to ask us how much RAM you need, you probably don't *need* *2GB*, and won't for a good long time.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
quote:Originally posted by PsyLiam: Do you want 1024 meg of RAM because you need it, or because you think you should have it?
To be honest with you? I don't know. I made a resolution that once I got a decent stable job, one of the first things I would do is to get a kickass computer.
The store I'm working at showed us a deal regarding a top of the line processor with motherboard, and a copy of Windows XP Professional for a low low price. I figure that now is a good time to get it.
Another possible reason is bragging rights. Between myself and my friends, the level of testosterone is determined by the speed and quantity of RAM in our systems. I was wondering if it would be worth being first in the group to get 1024 MB of RAM.
Decisions, decisions.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
From my experience, you can never have too much RAM. It gets expensive, but RAM actually can affect your computer's response speed more than the processor itself, since an application's information is more easily stored in RAM over the short run.
Me? I'm desperate for one of those G5's loaded with 8 GB of RAM... but that would cost me a shitload of money that I don't have, and I don't need that powerful a computer right now anyway.
If you've got the money, I'd say go for it. When I bought my iBook two years ago, I made sure to purchase an extra 256 MB RAM, bumping the total to 384 KB. Nothing spectacular, but still sufficient... at the time, anyway. Now, two years later, I'm more frequently getting frustrated by my computer getting bogged down when I'm running more than six applications (Safari, Mail, Palm Desktop, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and usually others) at a time.
If you think that 512 KB is sufficient for now, then it'd probably be a good idea to get a full gig in reserve for the future, when there will almost certainly be increasing software demands on the machine.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Or, alternatively, get it when you need it, when it's likely to be a lot cheaper.
quote:Originally posted by Saltah'na: Another possible reason is bragging rights. Between myself and my friends, the level of testosterone is determined by the speed and quantity of RAM in our systems.
Jesus fucking Christ. Honestly, Jesus fucking Christ.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
This thread is the ultimate proof that if it wasn't Star Trek it would be some other damn thing, I guess.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
hahahahaha.......
Okay, some details about my dream system:
Pentium 4 3.0 GHz (800 FSB), MSI 865PE Neo-LS Motherboard Radeon 9800 (non-pro, mind you, I know a place where I can get one for a cheap price) 512 or 1024 MB DDR400 RAM.
In order to take full advantage of performance, I'd actually have to buy 2x256 MB sticks or 2x512 sticks. I can't simply go for one stick and leave it there. Clearly the P4 I'm getting is designed for this kind of memory bandwidth.
So, if I do just stick with the 512 now and buy 512 later, then all memory slots are taken, and I cannot upgrade to the fabled 2048 MB RAM.
As for my friends?
Two of them have Athlon XP 2800+, 512 MB DDR333 RAM, Radeon 9700 One of them has a P4 2.53, also with 512 MB DDR266 RAM and a Radeon 9700. A fourth recently bought a new system, P4 2.6C (800 FSB), 512 MB DDR400 RAM (2x256), GeForce FX 5900. (he's got the same mobo I'm getting)
I intend to put them to shame, Or I'm not sure if I'm ready to do that.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
quote: Another possible reason is bragging rights. Between myself and my friends, the level of testosterone is determined by the speed and quantity of RAM in our systems. I was wondering if it would be worth being first in the group to get 1024 MB of RAM.
Uh huh. And just the other day, I was wondering who the hell would be the target demographic for RAM with blinking lights. Oh well, serves me right.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
You would not believe what people do to get a kickass system these days.
- Our store has clear cases made out of Lexan. Completely clear. We've sold a couple, so far. - It is almost standard to have a case with a clear panel on the left side so one can see what is inside a computer (note, I may be a speed and performance buff, but I don't plan on getting any cool cases). - DFI has a motherboard in which the memory slots, the expansion slots, the IDE connectors, and the CPU brackets, glow neon under ultraviolet light. - Rounded IDE and Floppy Cables, some of them also glow in the dark. - Customized (and glowing and flickering) CPU fans. - Front panel diagnostic systems. - Elegant looking video cards. - And Yes, those flickering RAM modules. Some Motherboard makers are making their own flickering boards.
I kid you not. Computers have basically gone mainstream, and now it is a push and shove match on who has the "coolest" system. Though in our case, it is determined by the speed of our systems.
I talked to a friend of mine, one who has the Athlon XP 2800+ system. He's put in an extra 512. Now I really have to put him to shame......
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"Rounded IDE and Floppy Cables, some of them also glow in the dark."
Glowing aside, those ribbon cables really get in the way and block a lot of airflow. Round cables do have a practical purpose.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Yup. And when you say "Computers have gone mainstream", you actually mean "computers now have the same looks-obsessed freak fans as cars do, and a large number of people waste money buying a cool looking computer system that doesn't say anything more than 'I am a big nerd'".
quote:Originally posted by Saltah'na: I intend to put them to shame
Get a girlfriend.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
Ricer Nerds... Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"...a large number of people waste money buying a cool looking computer system that doesn't say anything more than 'I am a big nerd'."
Not true. Actual nerds would be concerned with the computing power. The people you're describing are simply "idiots".
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Or, for those that may want to be PC, 'fashion nerd' will also work.....
I had seen one that reminded me of the neon lights under cars, blue neon highlighting for your chassis???
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
Oh yes, most definitely.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
I think you're going to need this, Saltah'na...
*whistles innocently*...
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
Naw, it's just the excessive RAM. I don't really care about all the flickering lights and stuff. I was just talking about all the other people who want that stuff. Believe me, there are more of them than you think.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
You're probably right. No matter how hard I try not to underestimate the prevalence of stupid people.....humanity makes its best effort to show that I'm really an optimist.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
It does depend on what circles you move in. I know no-one who would want flickering leds on their computer case, but if you hang around with people who discuss FSB speeds, then, yeah, you'll bump in to them.
Anyway, the answer to the original post would be this:
No, you don't need 1024mb at all. But you have friends who spend far too much time masturbating over their computers (possibly quite literally), and so what we say doesn't really matter.
Posted by Daryus Aden (Member # 12) on :
Try getting more cache. If you want to ramp up yer speed.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Quiet, Mr Semi-Absent Aussie. He quite blatently doesn't need more speed with a set-up like that.
Posted by Daryus Aden (Member # 12) on :
Whatever you say, oh master.
Sod off Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
quote:Originally posted by PsyLiam: Quiet, Mr Semi-Absent Aussie. He quite blatently doesn't need more speed with a set-up like that.
idoidoidoidoidoidoidoidoidoidoidoidoido.
If I could only get the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition 3.2 GHz with 2MB of Level 3 cache...... But that is so expensive.....
Rub my ego. Please....
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
What is it that you exactly *do* with your computer? Your profile only lists Starcraft, so please enlighten us.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Easy... just go get a PowerMac Dual-2.0 GHz G5, and load it up with 8 GB of (400 MHz) DDR SD-RAM after OS X v10.3 (aka "Panther") comes out next month. Taking into account the 1024 KB L2 cache (512 KB/processor) and the dual 1 GHz frontside bus (one per processor), your system will be leaving skid marks on the desktop! Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
But, then, does it matter how fast the computer is if it doesn't run anything?
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Of course not -- that's why the Intel people have managed to get away with that Megahertz Myth for all these years. Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
"Rub my ego. Please...."
I don't think it is your ego that needs rubbing. B)
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
MinutiaeMan: Say Mac again and you better be sleeping with one eye open. No one recommends a Mac to me without coming away alive. Ever.
I've sorta kicked the Starcraft habit, haven't played for a long while. It's now Freespace 2 and CounterStrike (yes I know, Freespace 2 is old, but I can't wait to see how a kickass system has an effect on my favourite game, for a game that old, it still has kickass graphics). I'm also looking forward to the new HalfLife 2, as well as Command and Conquer: Generals.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
FS2 on a 3GHz system w/ 1GB of RAM is overkill, and if your old PC can already run it fluently at maximum detail, also quite pointless. HL2, on the other hand...
Posted by Ultra Magnus (Member # 239) on :
I would also like to know where I can acquire a penis to measure against the penises of my friends.
I am thinking of maybe putting in some studs along the shaft, maybe that will make me come out on top.
Stroke my ego, please.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Saltah'na, my apologies. I forgot to read my own signature. Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
I've sorta kicked the Starcraft habit
Yes, and I kicked your ass last time we played. Just for the record. Posted by Matrix (Member # 376) on :
For the record, the exterior design of the computer does sell. For instance my VPR Matrix is designedby Porche, the difference between my computer and some randon design I have no clue. Though in Maxim, my computer was ranked number 1 for the best looking.
I had two choices, when I bought my computer, and it really came down to the screen size (I have a laptop), a 13" or a 15.5". I choose the bigger one, and it was $50 cheaper. Never mind the processing power, amount of RAM, or how many blinkies I have inside of it.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega: I've sorta kicked the Starcraft habit
Yes, and I kicked your ass last time we played. Just for the record.
Because I hadn't played like for 3 months before our last matchup? I get rusty easily. Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"No one recommends a Mac to me without coming away alive."
Are you sure you didn't mean the opposite?
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
quote:Originally posted by TSN: But, then, does it matter how fast the computer is if it doesn't run anything?
(oooh, that stings)
No, but I've been working on my gaming system. This thing used to inhabit a beige case. That's an Athlon XP 2000 (+!) with a meager, paltry, pitiful, pitiable 256MB DDR RAM and it kind of makes me laugh that it's running Win98SE. Because it's running Win98SE like blazes. So, I'm an old-timer and I'm into some older games. What can I say, Red Alert 2 kind of kicks ass on this thing. (I haven't installed Total Annihilation, but someone around here was asking me to march my Krogoth all up in their Commander, weren't they?) Incidentally it has not escaped my attention that my muffin fan makes the thing look more than a little gay. Also, I am one of the people who would buy blinky RAM were it not prohibitively expensive. Also, total system cost ~$250.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
It was I.
And that drive of yours sticks out like a sore thumb. Get a matching front for it. Please. B)
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
I still want to build a computer that doesn't have a case. I figure I can have all the drives and stuff sitting on my desk with the motherboard sitting in the fridge. It'd be cool until the first time my cat coughs up a hairball on hard drive.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
When I worked at the electronics warehouse we did that for testing. Well, ok, not the fridge part. I remember one particularly idiotic guy spilling his grape Welch's on a bare MB. I remember thinking what a waste at the time. But those were probably 386 motherboards and so not really too tragic a loss. Maybe Saltah'na could sell you a Lexan case as a compromise.
quote:Originally posted by Cartman: It was I.
But Cartman, I like you. I just wouldn't feel right Bertha'ing you into non-existence. Nah, it'd be fun. Let me get my DSL going again and you can feed me some crow and humble pie. Do you prefer Arm or Core?
quote:Originally posted by Cartman: And that drive of yours sticks out like a sore thumb. Get a matching front for it. Please. B)
But you see this would blow the whole total system cost ~$250. Maybe I'll spray-paint it. The case didn't cost much more than a plain case and it's surprisingly quiet (when contrasted with my Antec case which might be better suited for swirling around the Carribean and demolishing mobile home parks).
On topic: 512 will likely do you just fine. You could always drop another one in there if things get tight. And, of course, by the time you learned a program that would require that 2G of memory, you will likely want/need a new computer to run it anyway (which, of course, will use holocrystaline BRXPR 28000000 Memory(which some manufacturer will have created with potentially blinding integral laser show)).
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Yeah, things that are aesthetically pleasing and visually interesting are stupid and bad.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Not that the things being discussed are either of those, really.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Nerd Taste != best
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
quote:Originally posted by Balaam Xumucane: But Cartman, I like you. I just wouldn't feel right Bertha'ing you into non-existence. Nah, it'd be fun. Let me get my DSL going again and you can feed me some crow and humble pie. Do you prefer Arm or Core?
Clear your conscience. No, really, I would be thrilled if somebody set me up the bomb for once and sent me on the way to destruction with no chance to survive making my time. Honest.
Arm, BTW. For great justice.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
And there's a world of difference between "good taste" and "uber-hyper nerd computer crazy". A Sony Vaio is in good taste (or it was a few years ago, I have no idea what it looks like now). One of those (hnng) Macs with the nice big widescreen, er, screens that I saw in Comets the other day is in "good taste". A crazy super computer with day-glo blinky lights that runs 5 billion times faster than it needs to falls in to the "Uber-hyper nerd computer crazy" catagory.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Computers cannot run faster than they need to.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Don't be pedantic, or I'll bitch-slap you into next week.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
Computers cannot run faster than they need to.
Yes they do dammit....
Little update: I attempted to see if I could procure one of the P4 3.0 CPU with motherboard bundles, but found out that the store that was giving the deal sold out in less than an hour. Word told that there was a long lineup of people looking to get this bargain, some started to line up two hours before opening. Yes I came in early, but I did not expect the bundle to be THIS popular.
Fortunately, word also got out that the bundle might be offered again. The only question is when. So until that time, I will have to mope around with my P4 1.6 with 256 MB of RAM. *sniff*
Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :
You spoiled americans with your hamburgers and your rock n' roll!!!
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
Yes, curse us and our Big Macs and Britney Spears!
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Well, for Britney anyway....
Let us eat our big macs and always be fat....
Posted by Daryus Aden (Member # 12) on :
Yes..we are all so jealous.
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Yes, we are a fat stupid nation, envy us with all your might, or we might bomb you.....
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
The bundle is being offered yet again, and my order has already been placed and shipped out. UPS tracking indicates that it is stuck at Hamilton, Ontario, going through the normal cross border check. Hopefully, it will be here by Monday.
Thank god for exchange rates. Since the start of this thread, the exchange rate has been at around 67 cents US per every Canadian Dollar. Now it is 76 cents US per every Canadian Dollar. It has allowed me to save quite a nifty sum of cash.
So, in preparation for my new system, I decided to go shopping for some critical items, namely that 1 GB of RAM as well as a strong 400W power supply that my baby will be feeding out of. So here I am, possibly going for some Generic RAM selling at $106, when out of the blue, I decided to ask about the more expensive RAM that is much more stable. Lo and behold, these RAM chips are Red.
Same as my new motherboard.
Same as my new Radeon 9800.
An all Red system.
Price Difference: $10 per stick (I bought 2).
So, like a mouth-watered hyena, I decide to cough up the dough. All new Red system. All I need is a Red case.
No I don't, this case I have is just fine.
Last week, when we were cleaning out the Service area, we were instructed to throw out all the junk. And if we were to find something that was of interest to us, we could keep it.
I found myself a Creative Sound Blaster Live 5.1. Decent card. Once plugged in, it actually makes my games alot smoother than running on Integrated audio.
Cool!!! Saves me $60!!!
Did I mention that the chipset Fan on my new motherboard blinks? The motherboard also came with its own rounded IDE cables.....
The359, I think I'm going to need that Ricer ticket. Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
So, you'll be working the Red System District now???
Posted by Austin Powers (Member # 250) on :
Hey, just for a laugh , here are the specs of my machine:
AMD K6 450 MHz 256 MB RAM GeForce 2 MX (32 MB video RAM) 20 Gig harddisk Soundblaster Live! Value Internet connection: DSL Windows 98 SE
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
DAMNNNNNN. Nice setup, AP. One of those hifalutin hot beige cases? Say it is. Frankly I think your GeForce2MX is overkill, but maybe in a couple years everyone will have 32MB VRAM cards. Or better!
Saltnpepha: Do you have a window on your case to see your pretty lights? Fry's had gynormous red Antec cases at one point. Can't remember if those had windows.
Posted by Alshrim Dax (Member # 258) on :
Here's mine:
P4 - 2.0Ghz 512MB Ram. 140gigs HD space. DVD DVD Burner. Soundblaster Live 128. GeForce4 MSI-4200 128MB SDRAM Vid Card Internet: Cable WinXP w/ Office 2003.
Love the machine..
Posted by Austin Powers (Member # 250) on :
@Balaam Xumucane: Well yes, the case is the standard grey/beige/whatever color. No fancy mod-case as I am not a hardcore gamer. And of course I didn't mention the CD-ROM and CD-Burner drives, but they seem to be standard components anyway. I haven't got a DVD-ROM drive or burner. I make do with my home cinema...
Actually the GeForce 2 MX is not the "overkill" part in my machine, rather the 256 Megs of RAM. When I bought that PC the standard was 32 to 64 Megs of RAM. I had 128 then and have since upgraded.
Anyway, next year will see me buying a new machine. An AMD 64 FX (the new one for socket 939), that's for sure. As for the rest of the specs I haven't decided yet. Depends on what becomes available until then.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
quote:Originally posted by Balaam Xumucane: Saltnpepha: Do you have a window on your case to see your pretty lights? Fry's had gynormous red Antec cases at one point. Can't remember if those had windows.
I'm not trying to go for a cool case. In fact, I'm using the same case that housed my P4 1.6.
I need to show off. I need to take pictures of my new baby, which is running fine and purring like a kitten, thankyouverymuch.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
You will be the king of silicon bling. Yes indeedy.
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