Memory Problem

[Rubber Bullets]

I posted this is the PC mark thread, but haven't had a reply yet. For a while I have wondered whether there was a problem with my memory chip, but having compared my PC Mark scores with others in that thread I am even more sure.

These are my results.

When I compare them to others in the thread I have noticed something wierd.

Compared to abom2002, for instance, my memory seems to score reasonably well except on all the tests on 384KB blocks. These are between 1/6th and 1/10th of his scores. All the other block sizes my memory scores the same or better than his, except random access where I score rather less at all block sizes.

The same problem shows when I compare to the other test's in the thread. Just the 384kb blocks score very low across all tests. Read, write, access and modify.

My system is as follows:

Athlon 2000XP
Abit KR7A-133 mobo (non Raid)
1x512Mb ddr ram PC2100
Leadtek GF4 ti4400 Graphics card.
80GB Western Digital WD800JB
60GB Seagate Barracuda IV
Hercules GameTheater XP soundcard.
Win XP pro

The memory module I have is a cheap generic one, and so may be the cause of the problem. Is this the case, or could it be a mobo problem or a known issue? Any help would be very gratefully recieved. If neccessary I can post my bios memory settings, if anyone thinks they are relevant.

Thanks again

s

 

[Embattle]

Overall you have to consider:

Poor memory
Optimised Memory timings
Slightly Old Motherboard
Synthetic Benchmarks

TBH if your system is working fine I wouldn't worry as its not that much of a difference and chaning memory timings can cause problems and synthetic benchmarks aren't always perfect.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Thanks Embattle,

You are right certainly. I am just trying to find out to what degree the poor performance is down to cheap RAM, and how much is the other things you mention. It seems a real shame to set up quite a nice machine, and then to handicap it with crappy memory. In my search I have found one site which says:

'Don't expect to put cheap RAM in an Athlon system, and for it to work'

That is exactly what I did, and guess I am reaping the reward.

Thanks for the reply,

s

 

[Embattle]

Parts 1 and 2 go hand in hand as with better memory you can up the timings to higher levels.

 

[urz]

What would you recommend as good memory?

 

[legendario]

Crucial

 

[Embattle]

Corsair, but you pay