Is 8GB DDR3 worth DOUBLE 8GB DDR2?

Hey guys, first post here.

Looking to buy my dream laptop at a good price so I thought I should register.

I know you guys probably get TONNES of this same question, but I've noticed everyone says it's based on what Core or Processor you're using.

I've so far narrowed it down to an Alienware m7 and a HP dv7t.

Both have great specs, a little pricey but you get what you pay for.


I'll post another thread later about which I should choose.

This is just to clarify the DDR aspect.


Basically I can get 8GB DDR3 with Alienware for an extra $1,000, or 8GB DDR2 with HP for an extra $450.

Is this overpriced?

What are the merits?


I'll be getting this processor:

Intel Core2 Duo Processor P7450 (2.13GHz)

OR

Intel Core2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)

[Can't decide if the second is worth a extra $100. Doubt it since I'm currently using just 2 GHz and it's more than I need.]


Thanks in advance guys!

 

Those prices are way too expensive. You should fill out the FAQ. Very few programs need more than 4GB, so it really depends what you are using your notebook for. And right now there isn't much benefit in getting DDR3 over DDR2. Similarly, depending on what you are using the notebook for, it's hard to say about the CPU. But between those two, the P7450 is the better buy as there is very little performance benefit in increasing to the P8600.

 

i would go with the ddr2. The speed gain with the ddr3 is far too small.

 

You could buy ram on your own cheaper..

 

Thanks for the fast reply.

Just noticed that HP just changed it to +$400... An extra $50 off.
And they changed the 6GB RAM to +$200 from +$250.

I may go with the 6GB instead, I just want to have the ability to do plenty of things at once. As this is a desktop replacement [like my current one].

I've also got a fair budget, so I'd like to treat myself.

And be able to say something like "I've got 8GB RAM".


Thanks again, I'll do the FAQ in a few minutes.

 

Yes I discovered that but I'm more of a software guy than a hardware guy so I've never done it before.

Looked at some online tuts and it seemed simple, but still not sure.

Can you recommend where I should buy it from/what particular one to buy?

 

Newegg.com is real cheap on memory.

 

Memory installation is typically pretty easy. Just Google for the user manual for your notebook. Oh and make sure your OS is 64-bit or else your memory will be useless

 

Don't worry I do know that much anyway.

 

If your willing to spend that kind of money on Memory, you would rather spend it on a ultra fast SSD. The gains you would get would be far more substantial.

 

DX3 speaks truth. sit at his feet indian-style and listen to his wise words.

 

As in use an SSD and a primary drive? Or as a secondary?

Because I'm going to need at least 500GB.

 

If your system supports 2 drives, then go with a smaller 128GB SSD as the main OS drive and grab a 320GB or 500GB slower RPM drive mainly for storage.

 

If I were you then I would not waste that much for money for that amount of memory that I donot use. I would wait a while until the price of memory goes down and get one for me.

 

No offense to OP, but he doesn't seem like the type of user to use more than 4GB. Looks like he is uninformed and just wants to throw money around.

BTW OP just because I say i'm selling a 2liter soda for 100$ and decide to drop it to 90$ doesn't mean I just cut you a good deal.

 

I'd recommend you go for the cheaper solution with P8600 cpu (if possible), and just buy the extra ram separately when it becomes available.

Stick with DDR2 as the difference between that and DDR3 speed-wise is insignificant.
Also ... I would advise you don't get 8GB RAM from the get go.
Get yourself 4GB, and just upgrade to 8GB when RAM prices go down and the applicable modules become accessible.

Although if you really want 8GB now, then go with the DDR2 option.

It also depends on what you want to use your laptop for exactly.
Large amounts of RAM are usable when used in 64bit OS for one thing (4GB and above).
Multitasking is a good example of using RAM, and of course applications/software such as video editing, or programs for creation of 3D art that rely on RAM (large textures primarily and high polygon counts) when rendering large resolution images/animations from huge scenes.

If you are sticking with gaming, focus on having a powerful gpu and cpu with 4GB RAM.
8GB wouldn't be really needed for now, but would be good for future-proofing your laptop somewhat (although keep in mind that if you try to do this, it could relatively soon become obsolete ... but given the fact that new technologies would be very expensive to begin with and not reach consumer market fast enough ... I'd say 8GB would be a good investment for the future if you plan on using existing hardware for years to come).

 

not if he doesn't need it 100% right now. then, going 4gb and upgrade to 8gb in 2 years IF NEEDED is the better investment. ram upgrading is easy, and in 2 years, maybe it will only cost 50$ for the whole 8gb.

for having a fast system, yep, i suggest an ssd, too. else you may not notice any performance difference of that system compared to your old one.

if it is a desktop replacement, consider less storage in the notebook. get a home server and put all your data on there. then you have a full automatic great working backup solution that allows you to put in more and more hdd's on the go (mine currently has 4.5tb of storage, looks like i've found our families sweet spot ), and you can put it somewhere in the house where you can't hear the hdd noise. then get a fast ssd (f.e. 80gb intel ssd) for your system and your local data, a gigabit network, and the homeserver accesses are just like local accesses (but your notebook can access 4.5tb or more of data).

that's about the configuration i have + a pc with ssd, too + some more family pc's and notebooks. we can all watch movies from the server (or photos, or listen to music), no local copy needed. and a full working backup solution.

and believe me, THEN you can brag with what you got

 

Please give us the specs of your notebook, it would help a lot with recommendations.

If you have a 32 bit OS, then anything over 3GB is really a waste, as the OS can't see more than 4GB of memory...including all of the virtual addresses (graphics and peripherals)......so if you install 4GB, then you might see 3-3.2GB of memory.

If you have a 64 bit OS, 8 GB will be fine.....but at what end? For the price you could install a really nice T9800 or T9900, or even a Extreme Edition X9100. You could install an SSD drive, a better HDD........my point is that 4GB is plenty of memory, and that the money is better spent elsewhere, where it will make a significant improvement in system performance.

 

Sorry I wasn't clear, this is for a new notebook I'm going to be purchasing.

I understand what you all mean, I think I'll spend it on graphics and the Processor instead.

Thanks!

 

You really don't need 8GB of RAM unless:
- you run multiple virtual machines
- you run CAD programs like Pro Engineer and the like

As D3X stated, you would notice much more significant performance gains from an SSD used to store the OS and applications, and conventional HD for data storage. Such a solution would also deliver improved reliability.

 

+1
If you want a performans gain go for an SSD
I have 4GB Ram DDR3. I have it becouse I had no choice.

 

And how would I go about setting up a hard drive system like that?

Would it be difficult?

Get the manufacturer to put in one SSD and install my own HDD?

And point program files to the SSD?

What about the registry etc.?

 

If you have two HDD places, In "your" laptop, then go for SSD as system disk and a bigger disk for stuff. When you install OS at the SSD everyting about system (like, program files, windows ect) will run on SSD.

 

Setting up an SSD is the same as HDD. Just take out the current HDD and put in the SSD in the same slot. Do everything you would normally do, ie. install Windows, drivers, then programs into the SSD. You can put the HDD into a second HD slot, if you have one.

 

ah, don't forget to pick up a good SSD. Vista has high random write, some SSD disks have problem with this.

 

Avoid Jmicron controllers, basically leaves you with Intel, Samsung, Indilinx (OCZ Vertex/EX, Super Talent ME/LE, G.Skill Falcon, RunCore Pro IV, Solidata K5/6), Mtron, Memoright...

 

I went with a Samsung 250GB SSD, the performance I've read from reviews are in between the performance of an OCZ Vertex and Intel X25. But the price is lower than both. It was a no brainer.

 

Good choice! Hope you enjoy it.