Resolved Need RAM recommendations for MSI KT4V-L

I have decided to upgrade the memory in my computer. The KT4V-L supports up to 3GB of PC 1600/2100/2700/3200 DDR SDRAMS. Right now, Everest reads the following memory for my computer:

256 MB @ 200MHz 3.0-3-3-8 PC3200
512 MB @ 166MHz 2.5-3-3-7 PC2700
512 MB @ 133MHz 2.0-2-2-6 PC2700

I'm not really sure the reason that the second 512 stick reads as 133MHz, but that is what Everest says.

I'm thinking of getting a matched kit rather than individual sticks. I'm not sure if a 3GB kit of 3 X 1GB PC3200 is available or if I'd be better off just sticking with a 2GB kit or going with 3 unmatched 1GB sticks.

I would appreciate RAM recommendations for this particular MOBO, including makes and models.

Thank you.

 

Barry,

Here is a site you may want to try
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.aspx

Download the scanner and run it and the site will tell you what is recomended.

 

Here are the results of the scan (http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=15B9A05631D926C3):

Recommendation: Replace present memory with 3GB new memory.
* Maximum Memory Capacity: 3072MB
* Currently Installed Memory: 1.25GB
* Available Memory Slots: 0
* Total Memory Slots: 3
* Dual Channel Support: No
* CPU Manufacturer: AuthenticAMD
* CPU Family: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2500+ Model 10, Stepping 0
* CPU Speed: 1837 MHz
* Supports 2 banks of DDR 400 (PC3200). Either two single banked modules or a single double banked DDR 400 module can be installed to comprise the two banks of memory.

Q: Do I have to install matching pairs?

A: No.

No, you can install modules one at a time, and you can mix different densities of modules in your computer. But if your computer supports dual-channel memory configurations, you should install in identical pairs (preferably in kits) for optimal performance.

Q: Does my computer support ECC memory?

A: No.

Your system does not support ECC. Because ECC and non-ECC modules should not be mixed within a system, install the same type of modules that are already in your system.

Based on this scan, it seems to me that 3 single (not dual channel or kits) sticks of 1GB PC3200 would be ideal for this system, though I am confused about their statement that this system "supports 2 banks of DDR 400 (PC3200). Either two single banked modules or a single double banked DDR 400 module can be installed to comprise the two banks of memory."

It recommends adding 3 X 1GB sticks (Part #: CT12864Z335 "¢ DDR PC2700 "¢ CL=2.5 "¢ Unbuffered "¢ NON-ECC "¢ DDR333 "¢ 2.5V "¢ or Part #: CT12864Z40B "¢ DDR PC3200 "¢ CL=3 "¢ Unbuffered "¢ NON-ECC "¢ DDR400 "¢ 2.6V "¢ ).

What are your thoughts on this? I assume that PC3200 would give better performance than PC2700, even with the CL 3 rather than the CL 2.5. Are there other manufacturers that you feel would give me better performance than Crucial? I look forward to seeing your responses.

 

In doing more research online, I believe that I need to give you more information to help with my decision. Though I may use Photoshop occasionally, I don’t do gaming. My computer use is primarily business and surfing the Internet. I regularly clean up my system using System Cleaner, and that tends to speed things up, but sometimes, loading and operating programs tends to be very slow. I do have a very slow dial-up connection, so I’m used to slow, but would prefer not wasting any more time than is necessary. I use Windows XP SP3 and Mozilla Firefox 3.5.6. Most of what I read online says that 1GB is good enough for XP users; even though the Crucial site recommends that I get 3GB. I don’t want to go overboard and spend more than is cost effective, but I don’t want to skimp on what might help. Maybe 2GB of good RAM would do me more good than 3GB of acceptable RAM. What are your thoughts?

 

actually you'll more than likely be able to run that Part #: CT12864Z40B • DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V ram with a 2.5 CL at 400MHz with these settings 2.5-3-3-8 i ran mine like that and it was only el cheapo VData pc3200 3-4-4-8 timings which i ran at 2.5-3-3-7 and ran them for ages without problem like that
for an upgrade i'd be inclined to just go for two x 1GB sinlgle sided Dimms as it's a pretty old pc i'm not to inclined to recommend you go overboard in trying to upgrade it you'd be better of saving your money and buying a new system

 

Athlonite, thank you for your input. I'm still open to other people's opinions. I'm not in a rush to buy any particular make or model. I wonder if more RAM will help me to load online sites quicker?

 

Barry,

Here are a few reasons why more RAM is helpful:

http://www.computermemoryupgrade.net/why-more-ram-is-better.html

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The last time I upgraded RAM was about 5 years ago and that was from 512MB to 1GB. I went to Best Buy and computer stores and talked to people. I buy the cheapest and it has lasted along time. I don't have any recommendations for you - there are so many choices out there.

 

even cheap noname ram at PC3200 x 2 GB would speed up your pc i'd say any ram that use Hynix or Samsung ram chips is the best bet and they realy don't have to be a matched pair if your mobo doesn't support dual channel mode which yours doesn't

 

yes really for winxp 2GB is rather overkill unless your an heavy gamer or photoshoper or into video editing other than that you'll not notice a whole heck of a difference if anything you'd notice bigger difference going up in cpu speed to an 3000+ athlonxp as that's where page redering happens

 

Thanks for the input. The memory upgrade link is for an article written in 2003, so I'm not sure if more demanding programs/sites require more RAM. I'm not sure how much RAM I am using. Can you recommend a testing program that will identify whether it is my RAM or my CPU that is slowing me down? Going into Task Manager shows that I rarely use more than 20% of my CPU, though that is without running any programs other than my browser. It does max out on occasion. I'm thinking that I'd see some improvement by just matching my RAM better, so all doesn't run at the slowest speed. I doubt that having more than 2GB of PC3200 would do me any good, but having 2 sticks with the same timing/speed might help.

 

Barry,

I was always told when you purchase RAM both sticks should be the same timing/speed.

In other words - both should match.

 

I figured that they should match, but I've just been using what I had laying around, feeling that the extra RAM was helpful, even if it didn't match.

 

matching ram with matching speed and timings is always a good idea plus upping the cpu speed to boot and you can find an athlonxp 3000+ dirt cheap these days the 2x1GB sticks of ram will proly cost you more though see as DDR400 is no longer the ram of choice in PC's these days the price creeping up

 

Get two of these.

 

Thanks for the Hynix recommendation. Though I've never had any RAM go bad on me, I question their 30 day warranty. Evertek, which is owned by the same company offers a 1-year warranty. For less than $10 each extra, I could get a Mushkin, Corsair, Crucial or Kingston, which all have lifetime warranty. What is the advantage of the Hynix?

 

I decided to go with the least expensive RAM, so ended up buying the Kingston KVR400X64C3AK2/2G for $64.98 (including tax and shipping). It has a lifetime warranty and its timings/speed is no worse than any other available PC3200 RAM. Thanks for your suggestions and comments.

 

thats a good buy Barry there isn't anything wrong with Kingston ram they're a good brand name i hope it helps a bit to speed your way through your working day

 

Other than the GSkill I got for my son's computer, I've pretty much used only Kingston, and I've never been disappointed by their products. If you know of a way to increase the speed a bit, I'd be open to it. I don't believe that the KT4V-L is known for overclocking, but maybe a slight nudge wouldn't hurt.

 

while leaving the ram at stock timings you could bump up the frontside bus or you could use these timings on the ram and leave the fsb alone 2.5-3-3-7 instead of the stock timings of 3-3-3-8