Ram.

[Azn_tweaker]

whats the best kind of RAM?
SDRAM, RDRAM, DDRRAM???

[Play_The_0dds]

http://www.a1-electronics.net/Memory/2003/RDRAM.shtml
that link describes the differences in the ram type.

[Azn_tweaker]

ok thanks for the RDRAM info. by the way u know why RDRAM cost so much at pc stores?

[Play_The_0dds]

it is the newest ram out, also the fastest, if you plan to run , for example a 800mhz fsb you have to have rdram. ram is cheap compared to several years ago but still one of the most expensive pc parts to buy. i usually pay more for one stick of ram then i pay for my moterboards. i have not crossed the rdram barrier, using ddr 3200 still .i have installed rdram a few times for people and have not been super impressed. they are faster, but not enough at this point to justify the cost of upgrade from what i have.

[Azn_tweaker]

oh i c. if i want to change to another kind of RAM do i have to change my motherboard?

[Play_The_0dds]

yes you do, some motherboards are dual supportive of ram types, for example, pc2100ddr and sdram, you can only use one or the other not both types at the same time. you have to know the exact specs of the ram your board supports to buy the ram, if you have for example, a older board that has a stick of pc100 sdram, it may or may not run pc133. depends on if the board supports both, or if the ram is dual supportive, there are also things like ecc to watch out for. some boards dont support ram that is double sided(chips on both sides) even though ram may fit the slot you have doesnt mean it will work. if you open your case and look at the stick of ram 9 times out of 10 there will be a sticker on it telling you what type, like pc2700 256. when you go to purchace ram you know to buy pc2700, but now you need to check the computer/motherboards site or manuals to see what the bank supports, some top out at different things, could be 256, 512, or 1024... if you plan to buy the same size stick you have now or less you should be fine, if you plan to buy bigger, will have to check into the specs. some older pc100 boards top out at 128, a 256 will cause the computer not to boot.

[Azn_tweaker]

do i have to open my pc up to know what my motherboard is? any other way? any programs that tell u?

[Play_The_0dds]

if your computer is branded, compaq, hp, toshiba, dell.......look up the model number on the web site and look for the spec link. it should tell you there. i just noticed that your post show you have 128 megs of rdram, 128 isnt enough to run xp well. you can do it if you set it to run in best performance mode(looks like windows 95 or nt) but works ok. i would atleast add 256 to what you have. if you can not find the ram info, post the model # and make of your computer, someone should be able to locate it.

[Azn_tweaker]

i know i should at aleast 256. but 128 RDRAM sticks at Canada Cost so much.. my motherboard is INTEL P4 D850GB W/sound motherboard. if anyone who lives in toronto sell ram cheap let me know.

[Azn_tweaker]

i tried using best performance model. i used it for a week and got sick of that theme. i like the default theme.

[Play_The_0dds]

according to the model number you posted, your board takes rdram pc 600 or pc 800 only it has four banks that support total of 2gigabytes. so this means each bank support up to 512 megs of pc600/800
there is a good review of this board and the specs on this site.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=799
edited: if you have pc600 already, buy 600 to go with it, sometimes mixing does not work out well. if you have 800 go with 800.

[Azn_tweaker]

thanks thats very good info..