whats so different between SDRAM & RDRAM ?

DuoEnigma · Post by **DuoEnigma** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 8:45 am

Well i can upgrade to 1gb SD ram for 300! or i can upgrade to 1.2gb RDRAM!

I don't want to upgrade my ram any time soon, but whats so different between both? I know RDram is new....anything else?

Ashyukun · Post by **Ashyukun** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:01 am

RDRAM (Rambus) is an entirely different type of RAM- if your system is not designed for (and, from what I know, only) it, you can't use it. There are some systems that have DIMM slots for both SDRAM and DDR SDRAM, but I don't know of any that can use either SDRAM and RDRAM (and even the dual DDR/SDR boards can only use one type at a time). RDRAM was developed to be a significant speed increase over standard RAM, if I remember correctly. The problem was, it cost (and still does, in general) a lot more than either SDRAM or the newer DDR SDRAM. RDRAM has actually been around for a while- I think I remember hearing about it before DDR RAM. Check to see what your motherboard can take- odds are it doesn't use RDRAM.

I'm also really shocked that you found RDRAM for cheaper than SDRAM (or even DDR SDRAM). According to Pricewatch, you can get a 1GB stick of PC133 SDRAM for $144, a 1GB stick of PC2100 DDR for $290, but 1GB of RDRAM (two 512MB sticks, they don't seem to list/make 1GB sticks) is $480. And if you have two open RAM slots, you can get a gig of PC2100 for under $170 by getting two 512MB sticks.

DuoEnigma · Post by **DuoEnigma** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:16 am

well thing is i am going to get a new computer (dell)

Featured DimensionTM 8250

Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.40GHz w/533MHz front side bus/ 512K L2 Cache

256MB PC1066 RDRAM (2X128 modules)

16 Max DVD-ROM Drive

New 15 in E151FPb Flat Panel Display

$1,299
$1,199
After $100 Mail-in Rebate - Online Only!

What you think?

Ashyukun · Post by **Ashyukun** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 10:18 am

Ah (looks over Dell site quickly). That helps a lot. First off, I hate Dell

That aside, it's pretty much a matter of choice. As I understand it, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, RDRAM is generally a touch faster than DDR is. The 8250 also can take up to 1.5GB of it, as opposed to the 1GB the 4550.

Basically, it's going to come down to how much you want to pay... all told, you would probalby get a slight (and probably not noticeable outside of benchmarks) speed increase from the RDRAM. Personally, I'd go with the DDR SDRAM one- 1GB should be plenty, and it's cheaper to upgrade and costs a few hundred less to start with.

klinky · Post by **klinky** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 3:50 pm

If you ask me that sounds like a ripoff, but most pre-built PCs are anyways :\

~klinky

FATTY_VM · Post by **FATTY_VM** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 4:09 pm

but 1GB of RDRAM (two 512MB sticks, they don't seem to list/make 1GB sticks) is $480. And if you have two open RAM slots, you can get a gig of PC2100 for under $170 by getting two 512MB sticks

finally somethign i know about .... I also have a dell and after doing research while i was upgrading my PC .. i have learned that RDram is not interchangible (as stated above) and when you upgrade .. You must do it in Pairs Of Ram ... you cannot place one 512 Into your machine and leave the partner slot empty... it will fuck up your system you must install in similar pairs., if you open up your casing you see the ram slots are completely filled as it is .. thats because your computer probrobly came with 2 sticks (2 64 mb sticks if you have a 128mb tottal) and the other 2 "empty slots" are filled with what the tech i was speaking to Dummy ram, they are just place holders (he said something along the lines of me frying my mobo if i installed one stick at a time , I dont know how true that statement was).. so this is where the prices really start to pick up .. not only is it more expensive to buy rd ram .. but you must buy it in pairs ... thus doubling the cost.

and as klinky stated it is a ripoff .. if i do decide to get another pc anytime soon , ill jsut order the parts and have a freind help me assemble it.

FATTY_VM · Post by **FATTY_VM** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 4:11 pm

correction ... the 2 64 mb sticks i said is what mine origionally shipped with .. you said u got 2 128's sorry if that caused any confusion.

hackerzc · Post by **hackerzc** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 3:24 am

Ashyukun wrote:RDRAM (Rambus) is an entirely different type of RAM- if your system is not designed for (and, from what I know, only) it, you can't use it. There are some systems that have DIMM slots for both SDRAM and DDR SDRAM, but I don't know of any that can use either SDRAM and RDRAM (and even the dual DDR/SDR boards can only use one type at a time). RDRAM was developed to be a significant speed increase over standard RAM, if I remember correctly. The problem was, it cost (and still does, in general) a lot more than either SDRAM or the newer DDR SDRAM. RDRAM has actually been around for a while- I think I remember hearing about it before DDR RAM. Check to see what your motherboard can take- odds are it doesn't use RDRAM.

I'm also really shocked that you found RDRAM for cheaper than SDRAM (or even DDR SDRAM). According to Pricewatch, you can get a 1GB stick of PC133 SDRAM for $144, a 1GB stick of PC2100 DDR for $290, but 1GB of RDRAM (two 512MB sticks, they don't seem to list/make 1GB sticks) is $480. And if you have two open RAM slots, you can get a gig of PC2100 for under $170 by getting two 512MB sticks.

Man, what are you doing to my mind!!!!!!!!!
Afte checking pricewatch I was about to get another 512MB PC2100 DDR chip but after almost ordering, canceling, then almost ordering again I decided I really can't afford it right now. So now I feel all depressed and bad for the little ram chip that could have been mine, but now will sit in a cold wearhouse. Man I feal like shit. (I get really strange fealings for inanimate objects at times. It's a mental thing).

Ashyukun · Post by **Ashyukun** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 8:12 am

I can sympathise with you on that... I have the same problem with empathising with just about anything, inanimate objects included. That's probably one of the reasons I hate throwing things away. I agonized for a while after selling my first car as to whether its new owner would treat it right...

hackerzc · Post by **hackerzc** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 12:03 pm

Ashyukun wrote:I can sympathise with you on that... I have the same problem with empathising with just about anything, inanimate objects included. That's probably one of the reasons I hate throwing things away. I agonized for a while after selling my first car as to whether its new owner would treat it right...

EXACTLY! That is exactly it!