Chipp

Often times, people know that they need more RAM, but don't know what kind they need, whether or not the more expensive stuff is better, or even what their motherboard takes. This guide hopes to answer some of those questions, all without telling you to spend more than you can afford.

First off, you need to understand what RAM is. RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory, is where the computer stores what the processor is currently working on. More RAM is generally better because the hard drive has to spin up less, and more data can stay right in the memory, ready to be processed, which makes the whole system faster. You can run more applications, and the applications you have open can run faster.

RAM has three main types. SDRAM is Single Data Rate. This type of RAM is mainly used in older systems. SO-DIMM is only used in laptops, and will not be the focus of this article. The fastest type of RAM, and also the newest, is the DDR, or Double Data Rate. This is what we will focus on in this article.

DDR memory comes in several speeds, all of which have two names. The first naming system is the letters "DDR", followed by a 3-didget number. The number after the "DDR" is the speed in megahertz in which the RAM runs. For example, DDR400 is 400 MHz RAM. The second naming type is the "PC" system. In the PC system, DDR400 is the same thing as PC3200. DDR333 is PC2700, and so on. For overclocking, you want DDR400 or above, and faster IS better. However, you should never settle for less than DDR333, even for budget systems. The standard for a good overclock is DDR533, but that can vary based on your system.

You may notice that some RAM has metal covers over it, called heat spreaders. These are the equivalent of a heat sink, as they help keep the RAM cool. Generally, decent-quality RAM will have heat-spreaders, but don't use it as the golden rule. However, anything over DDR400 should have a heat spreader if you plan to overclock.

So, how much RAM do you need? It all depends on what you plan to do. Video editing, photo editing, and gaming need at least 512MB of RAM, but 1 gigabyte is recommended. Most people get along fine with 256MB, in the next few years, 512 will be the minimum.

Now we get to the tough part. Timings can be the hardest part of RAM to get, but also some of the most important. If you plan on buying multiple sticks of RAM, they need to have identical timings. Here's a quick definition, but for more detail see demol1shed's FAQ here.

The CAS settings of your RAM are how long it takes the RAM to be able to be accessed by the CPU. Lower numbers are better. Timings will look like this: 3-2-2-2, or some other string of 4 numbers.

The Command Rate of your memory determined how many commands the memory can take at one time. Lower numbers are better here, also.

Now, for the purchase recommendations. :)

Budget 256MB chips:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144306

Budget 512MB chips:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820223009
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820221005

Budget 1GB chips:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144321
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820237109

Overclocking 256MB chips:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141106

Overclocking 512MB chips:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144316
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227201

Overclocking 1GB chips:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146029

Hopefully, I've given people a good idea of what to look for, and what to compare to, when purchasing memory. However, it's never a bad idea to run it past us when you decide to buy.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your motherboard supports DDR400, it also supports all of the higher speeds.

Good Luck!

CyberDruid

Thanks for all the links and tips

Kipper

just a note, 2x1GB sticks of ram kills HL2/other game's performance. there is an exception................PONG!

The Bartender Paradox

there are many other good ram sets out there, besides what is listed. perhaps you should list ram by what chip it has. ex: Samsung TCCDs are all mostly good overclockers. same with Windbond BH-5 and CH-5.

Chipp

Yes, of cource there are many other good RAM moduales, but those are just things to compare to, and to teach about what is good stuff.

Mark_767

Yeah but you could add a few more good ram types on here, perhaps point out the geil one models, those things can really overclock.

uTunes

Is it better to get 1 stick of lets say 1gb or two 512 ones? also can i change the memory frequency in software mode becasue my bios does not let me overclock

aweir

2X512 will be better if you have a dual channel system. Also a 512Mb stick will usually have tighter timmings than a 1Gb stick and will be able to overclock better. There is also less "load" on a 512Mb stick.

You could try getting an overclocking utility and raising your FSB. What's your motherboard/cpu/chipset?

cgrado

update for DDR2 needed...

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vladsinger

Please, do DDR2.

BTW, you spelt "digit" wrong in the fourth paragraph.

Nice guide anyway.

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