RDRAM motherboard or DDR [Archive]

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Cayman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

I'm thinking of building two systems, Tomshardware seemed to like the P4PE ASUS board with the DDR2700 ram. I'm going with the 2.4GHZ 533FSB processor, should I go with a motherboard that supports RDRAM 1066mhz or stick with a DDR333 motherboard? Which would run faster RD 1066 or DDR333? Thanks a bunch Cayman

Colin

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Hey Cayman welcome to PCStats! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Most definitely go DDR... While the performance of RDRAM (assuming everything is stock) is a bit higher, RDRAM is dead with no support from Intel. What's your budget for a motherboard? The P4PE is an alright board, but not one of the faster ones out there.

Cayman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Stability is one of the most important factors. We are getting the P4PE for about $250 CDN and about $250 for the 512PC2700 ram. We will be sticking Intel because we are going with the P4 2.4 533 processor and an intel board. We have an office with 15 computers so if we upgrade the computer we won't worry about losing the RDRAM if Intel stops supporting it. Antec 1040 case Pent 4. 2.4 533FSB Asus P4PE board 512MB PC2700 Geforce 4 Ti 4200 ($255 Cdn) XP Pro

Colin

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Cayman where abouts in Canada are you located? $250 for the Asus P4PE sounds high! My local computer store <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.canadacomputers.com/motherboards.html">Canada Computers</a> sells the board for $239 for the "deluxe" version. $250 for memory also seems quite steep.

Cayman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

I'm in Nova Scotia and have been dealing with Insight.ca for years. You are right your company does seem less expensive. Are they good to deal with? Thanks Cayman

Colin

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Cayman if you're comfortable dealing with a certain store you should keep doing business with them. Potential headaches aren't worth the little $$$ you would save. Canada Computers offers excellent prices, but their service is only mediocre IMO... I have never had any problems with them myself, but I always know exactly what I want and need already. E-mail them a few questions and see for yourself! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

Cayman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

I do like the prices, and it is worth a shot ordering from them. To the motherboards, what would you recommend? I kind of like ASUS, is the INTEL or SIS648 chipset better. I'm kind of thinking about buying the Leadtek Geforce 4 Ti4200 128MB 8x card. Is the Sis better for this? The processor I'm going to use is the P4 2.4Ghz 533fsb. I'm thinking about the Ti4200 because of the price point to the rest and only have so much for a card. The motherboard will be going into an Antec 1040 case with 400w PS. 512MB of ram, you seem to recommend the DDRPC2700 which I agree with. I do appreciate any help you can give, as I will be building these two systems in the next week. Thanks, Cayman

Colin

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Cayman while I'm a big fan of what SiS has done in the last little while, I would not recommend a SiS648 based motherboard if stability is critical. It's not that the chipset is unstable, it's that it has not been proven yet. Between Asus and Intel motherboards, I would go with Asus myself. They're about the same price, but they usually come with more features. Cayman what is the purpose of this computer? A Ti4200 is not really an office videocard...

Avid6eek

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Colin is probably gonna suggest that you should buy the Radeon 9700 PRO for you office work. He'll probably tell you to overclock it and post benchmarks as well. In reality if this is an office computer, the GeForce 4 FX will more that suit your needs. You can even go lower if you want and buy a GeForce 2 or 3. The only difference you will see is the amound of $$$ left in your wallet.

Cayman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Well this particular computer will be going to my house and then when we need another computer at work I'll bring mine in to the office and buy a new one for home. I've been doing this for 4 years and it keeps my home computer new. I still have my 3dfx 3500TV and it's far far to old to play the newer games....And then in another 1.5 or two years or have to buy another computer I will bring this one in and buy another! On Tomshardware the 8X ti42000 did quite well and it's not to expensive. I will play Age of Mythology, Medal of Honor, SOF2 and games like that. I have a viewsonic PS790 19" Monitor that I run at 1600x1200 normally. Here is what I"m looking at now. I'm open for suggestions Antec 1040 case 400W PS ASUS P4PE 512PC2700 Ti 4200 128MB vid P4 2.4Ghz 533FSB Live! Xgamer (from old computer)

Colin

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

<< Colin is probably gonna suggest that you should buy the Radeon 9700 PRO for you office work. >> LOL! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Shiznit, I'm so hurt dude! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> Haha, no actually I would not generally recommend the Radeon 9700 Pro unless Cayman were a hardcore gamer and had pretty much an unlimited budget. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> << He'll probably tell you to overclock it and post benchmarks as well. >> Well no, I won't tell him to overclock but yes Cayman when you do get your new rig, drop by the <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://bbs.pcstats.com/pcstats/categories.cfm?catid=69">Benchmarks</a> forum and show us the power of your rig. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Since you do play games I will be recommending a more advanced videocard, the Ti4200-8x is a good card but if you want to play with AA and or AF enabled I would suggest something like an ATi Radeon 9500/9500 Pro. Yes it is a bit more expensive, but you should notice the difference especially at 1600x1200. The rest of your rig looks very nice honestly, Antec makes some very high quality stuff and I'm a big fan. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Avid6eek

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Cayman....The video card your looking at is a good choice. The GeForce 4 Ti4200 8X will support your needs for the next year and a half with no problem. I play Unreal Tournament 2003 at 1600x1200 with the highest settings on everything and it runs great. Age of Mythology: Windows 98/2000/XP Pentium II 450mhz or equivalent 128MB of memory, 640 of HD space CD-ROM MS Mouse or compatible pointing device 16MB video card optional 56K modem for online play Medal of Honor: Pentium II 500 MHz or faster processor Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/Me/XP 128 MB RAM 4x CD-ROM drive 16 MB OpenGL-capable video card with DirectX 8.0-compatible driver DirectX 8.0-compatible sound card Keyboard and mouse SOF2 P4 1.5 ghz 256MB RAM GeForce 3 or similar for High Detal With those being the requirements for the games you play, I'd say that the GeForce 4 Ti4200 8x is more than fast enough. If for some reason you want it to run a little faster, It overclocks to the speed of the Ti4600 with 2 clicks of the mouse <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Cayman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Is there a manufacturer of the Ti4200 that you would recommend. The ASUS one is a good price, is that one okay? Is it worth going to the Leadtek? Thanks for all the help you guys are great. I will be posting the benchmarks when it is set up. I will also be coming back to find out about this card overclocking...Hmmmmm Thanks Cayman

Colin

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> @ Shiznit! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Cayman it really depends... All reference designed Ti4200-8x's perform about the same so it really comes down to features. Do you need the extra's? If you don't then getting the cheapest one should suffice. Oh, one thing though, stay away from Gainward... They're having QC problems with their Ti4200's! << I will also be coming back to find out about this card overclocking...Hmmmmm >> Free performance, Ti4200-8x's should all oc very well! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Avid6eek

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

I forgot to mention to get the 128MB Version. One of the cheapest ones (well about $5 more expensive than the cheapest one) was the Asus Ti4200/8x/128MB for $153. <img src="http://images2.newegg.com/productimage/14-121-136-04.JPG"> <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.newegg.com">NewEgg</a> For $155 you can get this Leadtek one and it has a HS that covers the RAM as well (better Overclocker) <img src="http://images2.newegg.com/productimage/14-122-156-05.JPG">

Cayman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Thanks. You have again been a great help. Can't wait til I get that card.... Cayman

Avid6eek

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

No problem....If you need anymore help feel free to ask.