Planning a memory upgrade

[Firestorm ZERO]

Deciding to upgrade my computer's memory. Currently it is a generic 256 PC1600 DDR :/ My motherboard is a ASUS P4B533 and using Win2000. So.. I need help on deciding on which type of ram...

1) Which brand of ram (in your opinion) is the best?
2) Is 512 MB enough? or is 1 GB worth it?
3) Is ECC really needed? (don't see much ram having this feature)
4) My MB could only support up to PC2100 DDR ram. I plan to upgrade my MB in the near future (dunno when, maybe when the next intel CPU comes out) so should I get the higher speed ones (PC2700 and up)? And if I do buy such would it still be compatiable in my P4B533?

Note about how I use my computer
1) I don't overclock but I do use aggressive timings.
2) I generally use programs like Photoshop and such. Also 3D games like Quake 3 and such.
3) The computer is on for a long period of time (average of 8+ hours/day).

[A_old]

Originally posted by Firestorm ZERO
Deciding to upgrade my computer's memory. Currently it is a generic 256 PC1600 DDR :/ My motherboard is a ASUS P4B533 and using Win2000. So.. I need help on deciding on which type of ram...

1) Which brand of ram (in your opinion) is the best?
2) Is 512 MB enough? or is 1 GB worth it?
3) Is ECC really needed? (don't see much ram having this feature)
4) My MB could only support up to PC2100 DDR ram. I plan to upgrade my MB in the near future (dunno when, maybe when the next intel CPU comes out) so should I get the higher speed ones (PC2700 and up)? And if I do buy such would it still be compatiable in my P4B533?

Note about how I use my computer
1) I don't overclock but I do use aggressive timings.
2) I generally use programs like Photoshop and such. Also 3D games like Quake 3 and such.
3) The computer is on for a long period of time (average of 8+ hours/day).

Get higher speeds.. PC2700 Corsair XMS 512MB sticks.. they're a LITTLE less than the PC3200...i'd go w/ 2x512MB

[Firestorm ZERO]

^bump

Anyone have any other opinions?

[Brk]

Unless you're running a server, you don't need ECC, either.

[BaLa]

I say get 512mb of QUALITY Ram..

that should do ok for you..

of course more ram 768mb or 1gb wont hurt either