Very Computer

Chris, in addition to Larry Mattingly.

If you use the PC100 and PC133 modules at the same time, the system
speed will be defined by the slowest memory. Were you use the PC133
modules only -- you could probably speed up your system a little by
changing the RAM timing in BIOS (decrease some of the memory cycles).
--
Mikhail Zhilin
MS MVP-DTS
http://www.aha.ru/~mwz
======

Quote:>Can anyone tell me what ECC is used for, is it faster and better than
>regular RAM? Will it slow or speed up my computer? I have an ASUS
>P3V4X motherboard and a PIII 733 Coppermine that accepts both these
>types of RAM, I switch the 128 MB PC133 ECC SDRAM every other day with
>the 256 MB PC100 RAM and I've tested both RAM's with the benchmarking
>program called SiSoft Sandra and it seems that the PC133 RAM wins the
>battle, but I really don't see a difference in the two. I've also
>heard that the PC133 ECC RAM stops the blue screen if death because
>it's more stable RAM. Can I get any info, ideas or input.

>Thanks

>Chris

Chris,

Try this page for a better understanding what ECC is and does. I will say
it's hard to read because of the background, but provides pretty good info.
http://nyquist.ee.ualberta.ca/~akwong/eccram/index.html

All the best,
--
George Aker aka SG    [MS MVP-DTS]
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Quote:> Can anyone tell me what ECC is used for, is it faster and better than
> regular RAM? Will it slow or speed up my computer? I have an ASUS
> P3V4X motherboard and a PIII 733 Coppermine that accepts both these
> types of RAM, I switch the 128 MB PC133 ECC SDRAM every other day with
> the 256 MB PC100 RAM and I've tested both RAM's with the benchmarking
> program called SiSoft Sandra and it seems that the PC133 RAM wins the
> battle, but I really don't see a difference in the two. I've also
> heard that the PC133 ECC RAM stops the blue screen if death because
> it's more stable RAM. Can I get any info, ideas or input.

> Thanks

> Chris

Quote:>Can anyone tell me what ECC is used for, is it faster and better than
>regular RAM? Will it slow or speed up my computer? I have an ASUS
>P3V4X motherboard and a PIII 733 Coppermine that accepts both these
>types of RAM, I switch the 128 MB PC133 ECC SDRAM every other day with
>the 256 MB PC100 RAM and I've tested both RAM's with the benchmarking
>program called SiSoft Sandra and it seems that the PC133 RAM wins the
>battle, but I really don't see a difference in the two. I've also
>heard that the PC133 ECC RAM stops the blue screen if death because
>it's more stable RAM. Can I get any info, ideas or input.

ECC memory is error detecting/correcting.  32 bit memory can cause
spuruious failures if any bits change value.  36 bit (parity) memory
can detect single bit errors but cannot correct them, so the system
halts due to a NMI (memory parity interrupt).  ECC memory can detect
multi-bit errors and correct them.  It costs more it makes the system
measurably more reliable.  But, unless you are running a critical
server, it will not affect you significantly, memory bit changes are
rare enough.  PC133 is measurably faster than PC100, but you probably
wouldn't notice the difference.  You would probably get more mileage
by using the greater quantity than the faster/more reliable memory.

Regards

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If your motherboard will let you run the PC133 ram at 133 mhz then it
will be faster than the PC100.  However at 100 mhz there would not be
a discernable difference between the two RAM types.

However, if your system is being used heavily, with several large
applications open at the same time and/or you are working with very
large data files then it is possible that you are using the swap file
to a significant extent with 128 mb of RAM and therefore having 256 mb
will provide a distinct advantate due to the reduced swap file usage.

You can check this out by using the System Monitor utility that comes
with Windows and have it track "Memory manager: swap file in use" and
Memory manager: page faults". If, when you have the 128 mb module
installed, you see a "swap file in use" of more than 20 megabytes on a
regular basis" and/or if the "page faults" shows a steady high rate
(50 plus and not just occasional bursts) then the increased RAM will
be more beneficial than the higher speed.  Repeating the System
Monitor tests with the 256 mb installed and using the same
applications and data files should confirm this in terms of reduced
swap file in use and fewer page faults.

Good luck.

Ron Martell     Duncan B.C.    Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Software is a gas.  It expands to fill whatever container it is placed in."