memory for my core 2 duo motherboard?

Question

The motherboard can handle up to 4gb 800mhz, or 8gb of 667mhz ram. Which would be a better choice for building my gaming system, and why?

The answer I am looking for is moreso which configuration will push more data. Preferaly if anyone has the math formulas to figure it out, that would be best.

I will be using a 64 bit version of Vista Ultimate Edition (the best one), and do plan on maxing out the system right off the bat. There are definitely programs that will utilize all 4gb or 8 gb of ram if I put it in, i.e. Flight Simulator X, (which is roughly 6 years more advanced for its time on graphics,) and multiple CAD programs.
So, back to the basic question, which would be the better choice to MAX OUT my system RIGHT NOW, so it would be best for the long run, and be the choice that would have more efficiency?

And for brand and latency choice, I will be using Kingston or Corsair brand, CL1 latency speed ram.

Answer 1

The 4GB will push more data, because it is faster. Since no single program is ever going to use more than 2GB of RAM, at least right now, the extra 4GB of RAM is purely irrelevant. Frankly you only need 2GB of RAM right now, by the time you would ever need to go over 4GB of RAM, you will be in the market for a new motherboard anyway, so don't worry about the 8GB issue. Reason being is that they will have DDR3 out by then, and since I am guessing you are a computer enthusiast, you will surely want to upgrade to a motherboard that takes that.

Answer 2

I would choose the 4 GB 800 Mhz.

First, the operating system won't see more than 4 GB, so the extra 4 GB would be a waste, sitting there doing nothing, you'd be thinking "WOW I got alot of RAM" but just to brag about it, because your system won't use it.

Second, you probably won't notice much difference between 667 Mhz and 800 Mhz, just a small percentage increment in speed, numerically it isn't even double the speed. If you'd be running 400 Mhz and go to 800 Mhz, yeah that's a big difference a nice 2X (100% increment) speed, but from 667 to 800...not much difference.

My choice, I would use the 4 GB 800 Mhz memory, not even that much. Most of people have 2 GB and that's plenty of RAM. Me? I have 1 GB and I'm happy. - I started with computers many years ago when my first computer had 32 KB of RAM (yes Kilobytes) and it ran at 2.1 Mhz or some like that I can't remember, and hey...it worked! hahaha! - My first PC's hard drive later on had a 20 MB hard disk, and it was plenty......So what the heck, now you want 8 GB of memory, and it sounds like a crazy idea to me. :)

Why in the world you would need 8 Gigabytes of RAM for anyway? Jesus! Even 4 GB is an enourmous amount of memory that your O.S. and all your programs would not likely ever use these days anyway.

Answer 3

Well first of all no game need 4GB of RAM, for good gaming 2GB is more than enough. So go for 4x 512MB RAM having speed of 800MHz. One thing i want to tell you that speed isn't everything, there are also RAM timings and if you want extreme performance then but low latency RAM moducles, these may cost you double the price and also the difference in performace may be just 15%. I recomend to with a branded RAM modules like ones from kingston.

One important thing is that some motherboards by default run the RAM at lower speed to maintain compatibility with wide range of mem modules, so set the RAM frequency to 800 in the BIOS and also try the decrease the values of the RMA timings in the BIOS

Answer 4

I can't give you the math, but take this into account.
If you are running a 32 bit version of Windows like most people are, the maximum RAM supported is 4 gig. If you install 8 gig it will only use slightly less than 4 gig.
If you have a 64 bit version of Windows, some motherboards accept up to 16 gig of memory.
However, a previous answer indicated that you really don't need more than 2 gig and I tend to agree.

Answer 5

Intel motherboards are going to be your maximum sturdy. Gigabyte makes a sturdy board as does Asus and Abit. The 965 series from Intel could desire to tournament you nicely. Intel many times grants 4 procedures of flashing your BIOS. there is the EB (exhibit bios) which you do from abode windows, the DOS based version, an ISO for burning to CD once you're working a distinct OS, and the *.BIO record in case you do something incorrect because it relatively is the emergency restoration BIOS. As for the RAM, in case you haven't any longer offered yet, get a minimum of 667 to examine up with the Core2Duo exact

Answer 6

go to www.crucial.com

enter the details of your motherboard. that site hasn't failed me in almost a decade, some good deals on RAM there...