computer question - buying ddr3

[Dommyboy]

I recently decided to sell my Xbox360 as I had lost pretty much complete interest in it and was than wondering on purchasing a new computer. I was going to buy a good quad core system, than I saw how there's going to be a large DDR3 push near the end of 2008, so decided to wait untill that settles down and ddr3 is cheap (though I'm not sure on this). I'm doing this mainly to get a future proof computer.
Is it a good idea to wait until the end of the year to purchase a new computer when DDR3 is getting cheap? Your thoughts please.

 

[DEC_42]

Meh, unless you're running 3 copies of windows, Unreal Tournament 3, Supreme Commander, 10 Bit torrents, compiling a couple gigs of code and playing Minesweeper at once, you dont need more than 4 GB DDR2. There's barely any games that'l use more than a gig and a half on their own.

Personally, I'm waiting until 2010 to migrate to a DDR3 board and memory. You don't really need DDR3 quite yet. 4GB DDR2 will relatively future-proof your computer. If you have a 64-bit version OS, then you can go for 8GB, but that's overkill =)

And by the way, unless you're running programs that exploit all four cores of your processor, the single-core programs can actually be slower than on a dual-core processor. Most new games should, video editing and photo editing programs do, too.

 

[werepossum]

Meh, unless you're running 3 copies of windows, Unreal Tournament 3, Supreme Commander, 10 Bit torrents, compiling a couple gigs of code and playing Minesweeper at once, you dont need more than 4 GB DDR2. There's barely any games that'l use more than a gig and a half on their own.

Personally, I'm waiting until 2010 to migrate to a DDR3 board and memory. You don't really need DDR3 quite yet. 4GB DDR2 will relatively future-proof your computer. If you have a 64-bit version OS, then you can go for 8GB, but that's overkill =)

And by the way, unless you're running programs that exploit all four cores of your processor, the single-core programs can actually be slower than on a dual-core processor. Most new games should, video editing and photo editing programs do, too.

I agree, the added latency and substantially higher cost of DDR3 is only worth it if your application is bandwidth-limited, and with 4GB of DDR2 no games or mainstream programs should be close to bandwidth-limited.

There is no future-proof computer, but they are easily upgraded. If you get a reasonably fast quad or even dual core with 4GB of RAM (DDR2 would be my choice) and either of the new $300 US (at NewEgg) video cards (nVidia 260 or AMD 4870), you should be set for a couple or three years, depending on how much below bleeding edge you can stand to be and whether the coming world-wide recession materially slows the pace of PC advancement.

 

[Dommyboy]

So would it be good for me to just get a new computer now? Or wait for DDR3 because I really don't want to have to upgrade for a while.

Also I should note that my current computer is a P4 single core, so getting to the ancient stage.

 

[ReepNeep]

Get yourself an inexpensive Intel quadcore (Q9300?), 4gb of DDR2 800, and a 4870 with an P35 chipset motherboard. The problem with 'when to buy' questions is that there is ALWAYS something better just around the corner. Just piece together the rig I specced above and you will be happy with it for years.

Right now and for the forseeable future DDR3 will be ridiculously expensive compared to DDR2 and no faster in real world scenarios. Get the DDR2.

 

[Dommyboy]

So how long could a DDR2 computer last me would you say? I want somthing going for about 5 years.

 

[ReepNeep]

There is no real-world performance difference between DDR2 and DDR3. As such I recommend that you choose the cheaper of the two. They are functionally equivalent. A box that uses DDR2 will last just as long as one that uses DDR3. Choice of processor and a solid motherboard and power supply are much more important questions.

Since no system I could buy today would satisfy me five years from now, I need you to state your budget and what you consider 'acceptable' performance. My whole system turns over a piece at a time about every 2-3 years with video card upgrades every year or so.

When you say last 5 years do you leave room for upgrading after a few? What will you use this computer for?

 

[EXPLOSION]

Get yourself an inexpensive Intel quadcore (Q9300?), 4gb of DDR2 800, and a 4870 with an P35 chipset motherboard. The problem with 'when to buy' questions is that there is ALWAYS something better just around the corner. Just piece together the rig I specced above and you will be happy with it for years.

Right now and for the forseeable future DDR3 will be ridiculously expensive compared to DDR2 and no faster in real world scenarios. Get the DDR2.

Intel quadcore: q9450, cheapest quad core that isn't shit, and i have one!!!

also DDR2 is good enough
a good video card is the nvidia 8800gt, all my nerdy friends have one, i do too!
but it depends on your budget

 

[Aries_Split]

I recently decided to sell my Xbox360 as I had lost pretty much complete interest in it and was than wondering on purchasing a new computer. I was going to buy a good quad core system, than I saw how there's going to be a large DDR3 push near the end of 2008, so decided to wait untill that settles down and ddr3 is cheap (though I'm not sure on this). I'm doing this mainly to get a future proof computer.
Is it a good idea to wait until the end of the year to purchase a new computer when DDR3 is getting cheap? Your thoughts please.

DDR3 isn't worth the sacrifice of motherboard variety. If you are spending less than 3000 dollars, don't get DDR3.
Grahpics card wise, you cant go wrong with an 8800gt, or 8800 GTS but make sure it's the G92 version.
If you don't mind ATI's shit excuse for customer service, I've heard good things about the 4950.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me, and always make sure you check out tomshardware.com

 

[Dommyboy]

Though I just want to get DDR3 so when I do upgrade, everything will be mainstream with it by than as Intel are forcing on DDR3 greatly near the end of 2008. I'm willing to wait until say next year to get a good computer with DDR3 based parts. I would prefer to have the top of the range like Nehalem, DDR3 RAM and mobo next year than get one now as DDR2 will become obsolete and not as easy to upgrade. I'm rambling on my stupid points here, but if I get a Nehalem CPU, 58x mobo, and DDR3 ram, I should be set for about 5 years. And I would occasionally upgrade my graphics card and ram.
I would be using this computer for gaming, usual prOn, and basic net surfing messaging stuff. I just want a system I can be sure with.

 

[Aries_Split]

Though I just want to get DDR3 so when I do upgrade, everything will be mainstream with it by than as Intel are forcing on DDR3 greatly near the end of 2008. I'm willing to wait until say next year to get a good computer with DDR3 based parts. I would prefer to have the top of the range like Nehalem, DDR3 RAM and mobo next year than get one now as DDR2 will become obsolete and not as easy to upgrade. I'm rambling on my stupid points here, but if I get a Nehalem CPU, 58x mobo, and DDR3 ram, I should be set for about 5 years. And I would occasionally upgrade my graphics card and ram.
I would be using this computer for gaming, usual prOn, and basic net surfing messaging stuff. I just want a system I can be sure with.

Honestly, even when DDr3 goes mainstream, Its actually not that much better for gaming. Stick with DDR2,that'll hold you down for at least the next 5 years.

 

[Kemmler0]

Make sure that you match up the rest of the of the computer first before you start looking at fast RAM. There is no point in having DDR2 or 3 if you are still running that old PATA HDD. Making your RAM run at 1 gig or more, while your HDD is running at 133 or even Sata300 will create a huge bottle neck.

Some pointers to solve this
- Get some smaller drives(16m 0r 32m) on a Sata Raid0 array. Each drive you add increases your theoretical (possible) throughput by 300mhz, not to mention your space. But note that each drive you have decreases the reliability of your array by a factor of 1/number of drives. The drives only need to be 100Mhz faster than the RAM. More than 4 drives i would look at another RAID option, or good backup. This will give you the biggest performance boost, for relatively little money.

- Graphics cards. Go a bit wild here - the graphics card does most of its own processing. Make sure that its a minimum of 200MhZ above your RAM for optimum performance. you can drop this, but remember you are creating drag.

- Processor. a good dual core beats a good quad core for gaming. 4meg lvl 2 cache is the norm now. Read on the internet on how to apply thermo paste, most people get this wrong.

- Cooling, check your product manuals for optimum temperatures. Make sure that your parts stay in that range.

- Dust. Dust has its own magnetic field, thats why it sticks to everything. Dust will slow down your PC.

I am running a 4 year old DDR400 and the only time i have needed to drop anything below max graphics is when Crysis came out.

Replaced parts over lifetime
RAM - due to failure
Graphics cards - recently.

 

[Aries_Split]

Make sure that you match up the rest of the of the computer first before you start looking at fast RAM. There is no point in having DDR2 or 3 if you are still running that old PATA HDD. Making your RAM run at 1 gig or more, while your HDD is running at 133 or even Sata300 will create a huge bottle neck.

Some pointers to solve this
- Get some smaller drives(16m 0r 32m) on a Sata Raid0 array. Each drive you add increases your theoretical (possible) throughput by 300mhz, not to mention your space. But note that each drive you have decreases the reliability of your array by a factor of 1/number of drives. The drives only need to be 100Mhz faster than the RAM. More than 4 drives i would look at another RAID option, or good backup. This will give you the biggest performance boost, for relatively little money.

- Graphics cards. Go a bit wild here - the graphics card does most of its own processing. Make sure that its a minimum of 200MhZ above your RAM for optimum performance. you can drop this, but remember you are creating drag.

- Processor. a good dual core beats a good quad core for gaming. 4meg lvl 2 cache is the norm now. Read on the internet on how to apply thermo paste, most people get this wrong.

- Cooling, check your product manuals for optimum temperatures. Make sure that your parts stay in that range.

- Dust. Dust has its own magnetic field, thats why it sticks to everything. Dust will slow down your PC.

I am running a 4 year old DDR400 and the only time i have needed to drop anything below max graphics is when Crysis came out.

Replaced parts over lifetime
RAM - due to failure
Graphics cards - recently.

I hated thermo paste, it screwed me over. It also stained my favorite sweater

 

[Dommyboy]

I'm just going to wait until next year till DDR3 gets mainstream and cheaper. I don't know why, I just want a DDR3 computer and the new cpu's will be made to work only with DDR3 mostly so I am looking into upgrading. I know it sounds stupid, but that's just me. Of course maybe about 4 years after DDR3 is mainstream, than people will focus on DDR4 for some paranormal reason. I just prefer to have the new of everything and prefer to get the good, stable system in one swoop, rather than fidgeting around over time.

 

[Kemmler0]

[/quote]I hated thermo paste, it screwed me over. It also stained my favorite sweater [/quote]

Haha. Acetone dissolves that stuff. But it will probably bleach/melt your sweater as well.

 

[ReepNeep]

One thing that needs to be said about Nehalem is that the one with the triple channel memory controller (the one you would really want) is going to be in the 1000$+ price range for a long time after Nehelem shows up in 2009. Intel's been charging 1500$ for their top of the line Penryn quadcore and you can sure as hell expect this to continue as long as AMD doesn't have a chip to compete at the high end. Mainstream (affordable) Nehelems aren't going to be that much faster than current Penryn core chips and won't be available until at least the middle of 2009 if not later and will only have a dual channel controller.

Also if someone had recommended an 8800GT a couple of months ago I would have agreed. The 4850 smacks the crap out of it however, and is only like 30$ more. Don't believe the FUD: ATI's driver quality is just as good as Nvidia's and has been since at least 2003.

 

[DEC_42]

Well, just get a retail CPU. Less involvement with Thermal paste.

If anything, just get a really cheap computer with a new board supporting DDR2, a PCI-E slot, and a LGA\PGA (Intel) socket that will slot in a multi-core processor. I got one for $500 for my brother. He's not going to use more than 512 MB of RAM or slot in a 4870, but it has great room for upgrades.