Memory

What kind of memory?

Memory is a tricky issue. You need to buy memory that can support the bus speeds you're planning on using, but you'd also like to be able to use the memory in your next upgrade if possible. In our next upgrade, we're probably going to need Rambus memory, or some type of PC133 RAM. Originally Intel only planned on supporting Rambus DRDRAM for use with future processors, but the boys in Santa Clara now plan to propose their own PC133 RAM specifications.

If we buy current PC133 RAM we take the risk that it won't meet Intel's specs, but we're not too worried about the PC133 memory situation. We used 6ns PC100 memory with our P3-600B engineering sample, and we were able to use bus speeds up to 150MHz. If it makes you feel better, you can go with PC133 rated SDRAM.

How much memory do you need? We think 128MB is a good amount of memory for now. You could get away with 64MB, but you'll want at least 96MB or 128MB in the near future.

What we're buying

We can think the worst and chose the cheapest RAM that will let our systems work. Might as well save a few bucks if we won't be able to bring the memory over. Many of us build completely new systems every time we upgrade because we don't want to let spare parts go to waste. In this case, we go for memory that gets the job done.

The RAM for the Celeron systems can be regular PC100 RAM. We'll probably only be using the 100MHz or 103MHz(turbo) bus speeds for the Celeron overclocking. You would be able to reuse old PC100 RAM with the Celeron systems. The P3-450 system will need high quality 8ns or faster PC100 RAM or PC133 RAM to support the 124MHz bus for the overclocked P3-450.

A 128MB stick of generic PC100 RAM goes for about $100. 128MB 6ns PC100 DIMMs can be found for about $120, and 128MB PC133 RAM is about $134. Just two weeks ago we bought our 128MB 6ns Hitachi DIMMs from Ma Labs for $105 each. We checked yesterday, and the price has risen to $116.

Adding it up

The estimated cost of the single Celeron 366 system with BM6 motherboard and 128MB generic PC100 RAM is up to $260. The price of the dual 366 system with BP6 motherboard and 128MB generic PC100 RAM is $370. The P3-450 system with the BH6 and 128MB PC133 RAM is $434. You can probably use cheaper 6,7, or 8ns PC100 RAM with the P3-450, but we chose the PC133 RAM to be safe.