Second Life Forums Archive

Jade Lily

Cat Herder

Join date: 9 Oct 2003

Posts: 219

10-22-2003 11:31

When I logged into Second Life 1.1 for the first time yesterday, I noticed a significant performance decrease for my computer. I don't blame Linden Lab. My computer is fairly old. So! I decided it was time to upgrade (look at the influence you guys have!).

I have purchased components for a top of the line Intel system. The Abit IC7-MAX3 Canterwood board, 3.0Ghz, Radeon 9800 Pro.

The problem is, I bought a gig of PC3200 DDR RAM instead of the higher end XMS4000 which was designed for the new dual-channel technology.

I'm thinking of selling the RAM right away and getting the XMS, but I wonder if I would notice much of a performance difference. Do you think I will be satisfied with the RAM I got, or that I should go ahead and take full advantage of my system's capabilities?

Gwydeon Nomad

Registered User

Join date: 1 May 2003

Posts: 480

10-22-2003 11:45

My best advice, if you can easily afford it, get the biggest and the best you can (As long as it is not the NEWEST, never get the newest, let them work out the bugs first heh). If you want to save a little money buy a step down.

Example:
FX 5900 - $300+
FX 5800 - $200 ish
FX 5600 - $100-150 ish

Difference?
Speed: Negligable
Price: saved $100 or more

So I havent read on this XMS bit but if the chips your looking at are the FIRST iteration of the technology it might be better to wait with something tried and true. (Unless your feeling like you wana chance for the better power)

If your only playing SecondLife (or if SL is your most graphicly intensive game) the PC3200 should be fine.

Chip Midnight

ate my baby!

Join date: 1 May 2003

Posts: 10,231

10-22-2003 12:39

From: someone

Originally posted by Gwydeon Nomad
if the chips your looking at are the FIRST iteration of the technology it might be better to wait with something tried and true. (Unless your feeling like you wana chance for the better power)

*applauds* What Gwyd said! I'm sitting next to a $3000 paperweight because I wanted the latest and greatest back when I bought it. I ended up with a Tyan Thunder K7 Rev A motherboard which gave me a year of ram going bad, parity errors, bsod's, and file corruptions... until I finally said the hell with it.

_____________________

My other hobby:
www.live365.com/stations/chip_midnight

Ian Linden

Linden Lab Employee

Join date: 19 Nov 2002

Posts: 183

10-22-2003 13:57

Memory performance does have an impact on SL's framerate, and memory technology is generally pretty solid as long as you don't overclock it.

That said, I think sticking with the PC3200 will be fine. You've already gone most of the way by getting lots of it, and using it in a dual-channel configuration. Moving to a higher memory bus clock might buy you several percentage points more speed, which probably wouldn't be worth the cost. Of course, everyone will have a different opinion of "worth the cost."

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RAM Question!

RAM Question!
Jade Lily Cat Herder Join date: 9 Oct 2003 Posts: 219	10-22-2003 11:31 When I logged into Second Life 1.1 for the first time yesterday, I noticed a significant performance decrease for my computer. I don't blame Linden Lab. My computer is fairly old. So! I decided it was time to upgrade (look at the influence you guys have!). I have purchased components for a top of the line Intel system. The Abit IC7-MAX3 Canterwood board, 3.0Ghz, Radeon 9800 Pro. The problem is, I bought a gig of PC3200 DDR RAM instead of the higher end XMS4000 which was designed for the new dual-channel technology. I'm thinking of selling the RAM right away and getting the XMS, but I wonder if I would notice much of a performance difference. Do you think I will be satisfied with the RAM I got, or that I should go ahead and take full advantage of my system's capabilities?
Gwydeon Nomad Registered User Join date: 1 May 2003 Posts: 480	10-22-2003 11:45 My best advice, if you can easily afford it, get the biggest and the best you can (As long as it is not the NEWEST, never get the newest, let them work out the bugs first heh). If you want to save a little money buy a step down. Example: FX 5900 - $300+ FX 5800 - $200 ish FX 5600 - $100-150 ish Difference? Speed: Negligable Price: saved $100 or more So I havent read on this XMS bit but if the chips your looking at are the FIRST iteration of the technology it might be better to wait with something tried and true. (Unless your feeling like you wana chance for the better power) If your only playing SecondLife (or if SL is your most graphicly intensive game) the PC3200 should be fine.
Chip Midnight ate my baby! Join date: 1 May 2003 Posts: 10,231	10-22-2003 12:39 From: someone Originally posted by Gwydeon Nomad if the chips your looking at are the FIRST iteration of the technology it might be better to wait with something tried and true. (Unless your feeling like you wana chance for the better power) applauds What Gwyd said! I'm sitting next to a $3000 paperweight because I wanted the latest and greatest back when I bought it. I ended up with a Tyan Thunder K7 Rev A motherboard which gave me a year of ram going bad, parity errors, bsod's, and file corruptions... until I finally said the hell with it. _____________________ My other hobby: www.live365.com/stations/chip_midnight
Ian Linden Linden Lab Employee Join date: 19 Nov 2002 Posts: 183	10-22-2003 13:57 Memory performance does have an impact on SL's framerate, and memory technology is generally pretty solid as long as you don't overclock it. That said, I think sticking with the PC3200 will be fine. You've already gone most of the way by getting lots of it, and using it in a dual-channel configuration. Moving to a higher memory bus clock might buy you several percentage points more speed, which probably wouldn't be worth the cost. Of course, everyone will have a different opinion of "worth the cost."