I have 2 options for RAM right now. I'm definitely going RAM before HD spac (I can live with 30 gigs free for now). I will be updating the motherboard within the next 4 months or so to an SLI board.
2 sticks of 1 gigabyte at $30.00 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227198
2 sticks of 2 gigabyte at $65.00 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227269
Which RAM to get.
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Yoon
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Re: Which RAM to get.
The OCZ 2 x 1 GB RAM set looks like a good deal with the $30 rebate and should work fine in your current motherboard.
The OCZ 2 x 2 GB RAM with the $30.00 off rebate also looks like a good deal. The only concern is that it may not work in your current motherboard, as your 4CoreDual-VSTA motherboard doesn't play too well with 2 GB size DIMMs. There is an unofficial BIOS out there that will allow partial compatibility with some 2 GB DIMMs, but this requires some BIOS adjustment to get it working.
The OCZ 2 x 2 GB RAM with the $30.00 off rebate also looks like a good deal. The only concern is that it may not work in your current motherboard, as your 4CoreDual-VSTA motherboard doesn't play too well with 2 GB size DIMMs. There is an unofficial BIOS out there that will allow partial compatibility with some 2 GB DIMMs, but this requires some BIOS adjustment to get it working.
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Lozal
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Re: Which RAM to get.
Crap, I guess I what computer part I'm buying next month (hint: Motherboard). The sale on the 2 GB RAM sets went bad over the course of the day so I bought these sticks (also 2 GB). I'll try the "unofficial" Bios, if that doesn't work I'll just get the Motherboard earlier than planned.Yoon wrote:The OCZ 2 x 1 GB RAM set looks like a good deal with the $30 rebate and should work fine in your current motherboard.
The OCZ 2 x 2 GB RAM with the $30.00 off rebate also looks like a good deal. The only concern is that it may not work in your current motherboard, as your 4CoreDual-VSTA motherboard doesn't play too well with 2 GB size DIMMs. There is an unofficial BIOS out there that will allow partial compatibility with some 2 GB DIMMs, but this requires some BIOS adjustment to get it working.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227280
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Yoon
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Re: Which RAM to get.
Not too bad. The OCZ RAM that you selected is rated for higher speeds, so if you choose to overclock, it'll give you some more headroom to work with.
Jesse, you might want to check out this thread over at Anandtech Forums:
ASRock 4CoreDual-SATA2
It's a long-ass thread, but it contains a lot of useful information and tweaks, including some tips on getting 2 x 2 GB DDR2 running on your motherboard. Although it's a discussion thread for the 4CoreDual-SATA2 model, it's just a minor board revision and all tips and tweaks also apply to your motherboard. If you do decide to use one of the unofficial BIOS, make sure you get the one for "4CoreDual-VSTA", since that's the board model you're using.
Here's the site with the unofficial BIOSes for your motherboard: http://www.pctreiber.net/download_kategorie_108.html
It's a German site, but using a translator will quickly reveal what each BIOS update adds.
EDIT: A new custom BIOS for the 4CoreDual-VSTA just came out and it seems to have better 2 x 2 GB DDR2 support. You can grab it here: http://www.pctreiber.net/filebase.php?fileid=2617
Jesse, you might want to check out this thread over at Anandtech Forums:
ASRock 4CoreDual-SATA2
It's a long-ass thread, but it contains a lot of useful information and tweaks, including some tips on getting 2 x 2 GB DDR2 running on your motherboard. Although it's a discussion thread for the 4CoreDual-SATA2 model, it's just a minor board revision and all tips and tweaks also apply to your motherboard. If you do decide to use one of the unofficial BIOS, make sure you get the one for "4CoreDual-VSTA", since that's the board model you're using.
Here's the site with the unofficial BIOSes for your motherboard: http://www.pctreiber.net/download_kategorie_108.html
It's a German site, but using a translator will quickly reveal what each BIOS update adds.
EDIT: A new custom BIOS for the 4CoreDual-VSTA just came out and it seems to have better 2 x 2 GB DDR2 support. You can grab it here: http://www.pctreiber.net/filebase.php?fileid=2617