Ram question for AM2 Build

[pollenpaul]

Hello everyone, first thanks for all the help, I'm going to build my pc very soon. But just had a question with Ram, which would be better to buy?

XMS1gb (2x512mb)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145040

or

Gskill 2GB (2x1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231084

I know they have different timing, but I was looking into saving cash if it is not much of a difference, so is it better to have higher timed ram but more of it, or is it better to have lower timed ram but only 1GB? This is going to be used in a gaming computer, here is my other thread with the other parts of my computer

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=194183&highlight=

Thanks.

 

[The_Prophecy]

I agree with prozac in the other thread. Drop to an eVGA Geforce 7600GT, switch the CPU to an X2 3800+, and then go for this Corsair XMS2 2GB set

 

[Neofight]

According to this article - http://www.computerpoweruser.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/c0608/32c08/32c08.asp&guid=


there is little to be gained from lower CAS at the same speed. I have been searching for a definitive answer and at least in this article they are pretty convincing

 

[dt]

i like the 4000+, has some good l2 cache. about 30-40 bucks more than the 3800+. only get it if you can afford it though.

i agree, get that corsair 2 gb set if you have the money for it. if not get there 1gb 512mbX2 set.

 

[pollenpaul]

How much of a difference are we talking about from the x2 3800 to the x2 4000? Or is it more of a difference if I were to overclock it?


Thanks for all the help,

Paul

 

[pollenpaul]

Aside from deciding on whether it's worth it for the X2 4000 or not, here is my build, please feel free to comment

CPU - X2 3800
DVD Burner

Cooler Master Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119068

Western Digital HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

Asus M2NE Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131022

Geforce 7600gt KO

Antec Truepower 430W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103928

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145034

Comes to $900 out the door with mail in rebates, I have a monitor to use before I decide on a LCD, which I am certainly open to suggestions.

 

[The_Prophecy]

IMO, the 4000+ is worth the extra money. The doubled L2 cache will definitly help.

 

[ikjadoon]

The extra cache won't be very noticeable, but I'd buy the 4000+ over the 3800+ in a heartbeat.

~Ibrahim~

 

[Neofight]

Proph,

You and the poster following you have opposite opinions. I have been looking at the 4000+ for the extra cahe also. Do either of you have proof to substantiate your opposing claims?


To the OP I would consider the ANTEC Sonata II case which comes with a very good power supply unless you just really like the look of the case you have there.

 

[The_Prophecy]

The extra cache will really help in certain situations, but not in others..... when you average it out, it helps, but i may have overstated how much it helps.

 

[Crashman]

These guys are all steering you wrong. Go with the Corsair XMS 5400C4 2GB kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015

It overclocks to 800 easily, mine does it at CAS4. Not only that, but you really don't NEED DDR2-800, so if you don't want to overclock, you don't have to.

 

[ikjadoon]

I don't know...DDR2-800 is like $13 more if you get this DDR2-800 CL4:

$165:OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 4-5-4-15

At stock, you have three more clocks and there is no gurantee he'll hit 800, though it is in his favor.

I know I shouldn't trust NewEgg at all, in their Reviews anyways, but one guy has his at 1000Mhz...Can 667mhz do that? Depends if he is overclocking or not, though. If you aren't, the Corsair DDR2 667Mhz will do fine, but if you are I would suggest the OCZ 800.

~Ibrahim~

 

[The_Prophecy]

What other thread? Stop insulting me, I'm lost

lol, jk :lol:

That tends to happen a lot doesn't it?

 

[pollenpaul]

The extra cache won't be very noticeable, but I'd buy the 4000+ over the 3800+ in a heartbeat.

~Ibrahim~

I'm confused then, if the cache isn't noticeable, then why buy it, aren't the clock speeds the same? If the cache is no big deal wouldn't I just buy the X2 4200 for the extra mhz?


Also I don't know really anything about overclocking, so I guess it would just make sense to get the DDR800 ram?


Thanks for all the help,

Paul

 

[ikjadoon]

It helps a little bit and it is more of a "feel good" thing. You feel good knowing you have 2MB over 1MB total. There are increases, though, when are you repeatedly do something, like play a game. It will open a bit faster. It will have a bit of zip to it. D'you know what I'm talking about? There is an increase, but not huge, not as much as more Mhz:

4200+ vs. 4400+

As you can see, they are pretty close, not noticeably difference, but the numbers don't lie. 10 seconds. Can you tell the difference between something that ran for 4:57 over something that run 5:07? Probably not, but, like I said, it is a feel good thing. It doesn't help greatly, but it is like going from 939 to AM2. It is better, but slightly. You feel good about it. Confusing, but...

It depends on the memory. DDR2-667 is OK, but 800 is faster. Just make sure to get CAS4 if possible...

~Ibrahim~

 

[Crashman]

I got my 5400C4 to 980MHz before the memory controller gave up (nForce4 Intel Edition). And that's as far as I could get with DDR2-1066 too, so I really just need a faster platform.

I've had problems with some OCZ RAM, and the company's PC2-6400 can't overclock as far as Corsair's PC2-5400. Really. Corsair's "slower" memory overclocks better than OCZ's "faster" memory in my own testing.

In fact, the Corsair also ran at lower voltages using the OCZ's "rated" 800MHz data rate.

 

[ikjadoon]

Seriously? 980Mhz? What clocks? Still on CAS4? Nice!!

Really? The 667Mhz OC'ed higher than the 800Mhz? Interesting, kind of weird, but there are gems everywhere.

~Ibrahim~

 

[Crashman]

Anything above ~840MHz with the 5400C4 I had to use CAS5.

Yes, it overclocked better, it was still at 4-4-4 at 840MHz where the OCZ required 4-5-4.

 

[The_Prophecy]

I'm officially impressed. Very nice OC. Now if only I could get that kind of an OC out of my CPU....

 

[ikjadoon]

Damn, I might save me a few bucks and get that RAM. Thanks alot for the heads up!

~Ibrahim~

 

[pollenpaul]

Thanks everyone for the help. I think I might spend a few extra bucks and get the X2 4200 instead of X2 3800, the jump seems to be enough for me to justify the cost. Thanks again, I should be purchasing this soon, I'll be sure to post how things go.


Thanks,

Paul

 

[ikjadoon]

All right, good luck!

~Ibrahim~