Buyer's Guide - Mid-Range, October 2004
by Jarred Walton on October 21, 2004 11:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Memory Recommendations
While many might disagree with this assessment, we are going to increase the RAM recommendation for our Mid-Range Guide to 1 GB, regardless of what type of work you use it for. The truth is that a lot of users do not need more than 512 MB of RAM, but as long as we're being truthful, few people really need something faster than the systems in our Entry Level Guide. If you're willing to spend more money for the added performance and "future-proofing" of faster processors and other components, it doesn't make a lot of sense to skimp on the RAM. This also allows us to avoid recommending 256 MB DIMMs, which we feel are now only an option for the value-minded consumer.As we mentioned in our past Guides, performance does not differ a whole lot between the various manufacturers, and reliability is generally good with any of the major brands. We recommend spending a few dollars extra to get a reputable brand instead of settling for generic RAM. Should any of your DIMMs fail, it is easier to get the advertised "lifetime warranty" honored. Whom do we consider reputable? Well, any of the major brands that we have reviewed in our past RAM articles should be safe: Corsair, Crucial, GEIL, Kingston, Mushkin, OCZ, Samsung and several others. Those should all work well, so on whichever you can get the best price is a good choice.
Our RAM recommendation is going to be split into a Value and a Performance choice. The Value RAM will have higher latencies, but the difference in speed is typically less than 5%. For those willing to spend a little more, the Performance option is there. Those who are interested in getting into the world of overclocking are advised to spend more money on their RAM, as it is often the limiting factor. It is worth mentioning, however, that the cost of high-end RAM can often be more than the cost of the next faster processor, and a faster processor will usually provide more tangible benefits. Reliability is rather difficult to determine, but on the whole, we see fewer problems with expensive RAM than with value RAM. Then again, most hardware failures tend to come from other sources than the RAM; for instance, flaky power supplies and/or motherboards. Keeping your system free from dust will go a long way towards avoiding component failure in our experience.
Value DDR Recommendation: 2x512MB Mushkin PC3200 2.5-4-4
Price: $150 Shipped
We have never had any serious problems with Mushkin RAM, and at $150, the cost of 1 GB of RAM is very reasonable. In fact, users who routinely work on extremely large files in Photoshop might even decide to simply max out their memory system with 4x512 MB DIMMs. Most people don't need that much RAM, but if you do, you already know it. Gamers and software developers should be content with 2x512MB for the next year at least, and the option to add more RAM is always there if you need it.
We do not feel that 1GB DIMMs are really an option yet, since even the cheapest non-generic DIMMs cost over $200. However, anyone interested in trying to reach the advertised 4GB maximum of current systems might take a look at OCZ's 1GB DIMMs. That's not even a remotely mid-range configuration, though - it's more of a moderate server setup. At some point in time, we will actually see a shift to 64-bit OSes running 4GB or more of RAM, but that day is probably at least a couple years off for most users.
Performance DDR Alternative: 2x512MB OCZ EL 2-3-2-6 1T
Price: $224 Shipped
Those looking to gain a bit in performance and lower their memory latency should look at the 2-3-2 RAM options that are out there. While 2-2-2 RAM might be fractionally faster, it costs a bit more. OCZ has impressed us with the quality and reliability of their RAM in the past couple years - for a company that was once considered a "generic" brand, that's saying a lot! The heat spreaders are not really necessary, but they do make your RAM look attractive for those who have windowed cases.
Should you want to go for something a little faster, or perhaps you might want some RAM that could be overclocked at some point in the future, then we recommend Crucial Ballistix PC3200 RAM. Capable of 2-2-2 1T timings up to 220 MHz or so, and with the option to go even higher with relaxed timings, Crucial Ballistix is a great choice for high-end RAM.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
54 Comments
View All Comments
hh - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
#8/gimper48> Very good. I am impressed. However, are we
> going to see benchmarks in these anytime soon?
Benchmarks are merely a tool to try to determine whats better/worse/"equivalent" for its price.
And I do realize that this may be somewhat contrary to the general intent of the article, but we do have to recognize that DIY'ing falls into two basic motivational catagories: those who do it because they enjoy it (hobby) and those who want to save money vs. OEM (value).
For the latter, it comes down to cost:performance. As a example, taking the $1250 system upgraded to the 17" LCD monitor and XP/P OS puts us at roughly $1500. Now suppose that we could get an "equivalent" system (performance) but someone else did the assembly, optimization and compatibility hassles, performed the OS installation, and gave us a warranty. Clearly, that PC build wouild be worth more, but how much more?
One OEM example to consider is the Apple iMac 1.6Gz G5 17" at $1300 + 1GB aftermarket RAM upgrade +$250, which puts us at a $1550 pricepoint.
For this example, the value-added extras of hardware assembly, optimization/compatibility/debug, the OS install and a system warranty is only $50 more. YMMV if this is small enough for many value-oriented people would be willing to pay for (IMO, yes).
The remaining question is if such a $1550 OEM system is/isn't "equivalent" to the $1500 DIY system to conclude which is the better overall consumer value.
And because of the Apple here, the "equivalency" question is a huge gaping hole. That's no accident: I did it on purpose because my intent is to look at this more rhetorically to as to illustrate the philisophical, not to introduce a Mac performance debate (so please don't). Yes, I could have chosen a Dell or Gateway, but I loathe their websites and they typically have too many hardware variables that would only drag us down into the weeds instead of seeing the basics of the big picture first.
This article was interesting reading. Thanks again.
-hh
draazeejs - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Why did they change the HDD recommendation from Seagate to Samsung? Does anyone have experience with how loud those drives are? I have a Barracuda IV, 40GB, and that one is totally silent. As far as I have heard the new Barracudas are much louder. Why is that so?PrinceGaz - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
If the NEC ND-3500A lives up to the standards of the previous ND-2500A/2510A, then its likely to be the best drive in its class with standard firmware. The quality and value of those drives was unbeatable.Hacked firmware to add more media types or higher burn speeds with them is a nice bonus for those who want it, but is totally optional. The drives are still excellent straight out the box.
deathwalker - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
#28..I don't think recommendations for a Optical drive should be based on "hacked" firmware...I'm sticking with my original thought that the Pioneer drive would have seemed like the likely choice based upon there recent review..having said that though, I'nm sure the NEC drive is a fine drive also.MustISO - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Looking at the memory chart, RAM is really going up. That sucks!iversonyin - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
logitech > MS when it come to mouseMIDIman - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
> The NEC is a little curious though, given the> glowing review of the Pioneer a few weeks
> ago...
I think the point here might be post hacked firmware. After flashing my 3500a, its quite incredible what its capable of, and its possible that anandtech has already done an NEC article and just hasn't put it up quite yet.
Murmandamus - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Great guide!I'm considering setting up an HTPC. So I would sure like to see a htpc guide from you guys.
Thanks!
JarredWalton - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Let's just say I have insider information from Kristopher. Blame him. ;)gherald - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
> #5 - Posted on Oct 21, 2004 at 1:34 PM by PrinceGaz wrote:> I've just finished reading it and amazingly, I can't fault any of your recommendations!
I have to agree! In particular it's great to finally start seeing good case/PSUs from Antec and Shuttle.
The NEC is a little curious though, given the glowing review of the Pioneer a few weeks ago...