Memory in Crossfire AM2

[Kennedy23]

I'm looking to buy a
Asus Crosshair AM2 Gaming motherboard NF590 SLI
with maybe a
AMD 3800+ or 4000+ (not sure which, recommend me!)

What memory do people recommend, i'm looking for 1gb.

Will a matched pair be best?
Corsair XMS3200 1GB (2x512MB) 400Mhz Non-ECC Matched Pair


Or will this modual work fully in the crossfire?
Corsair XMS5400 1GB DDR2 240Pin (2x512MB) 667Mhz Non-ECC Pro

Also this is an option
Corsair Value Select 1GB 533MHz 240Pin DDR2 RAM

Which is best? (Mainly want the system for gaming).
Thanks

 

[mkaibear]

I'm aware you may not want to hear this, but don't buy an AMD! Buy a C2D, even if you have to drop down the motherboard to one which isn't as good!

I suspect the Corsair XMS3200 is DDR so wouldn't work with AM2 - the other two should work fine.

 

[TSIMonster]

You realize, AM2 will probably be short lived, and the only incentive to go AMD right now is if you have a tight budget (which doesn't appear to be true with the MOBO you've picked, which is not a good choice). You can get a full conroe system with a good vid card for under $700.

If you do plan to go AMD, get a cheaper MOBO, and preferably not ASUS, they aren't as good with AMD as they are intel (so I have heard). Grab a DFI if you are into overclocking, otherwise, get something cheap. The MOBO in my sig works great if you have a really tight budget. I suggest going conroe though

 

[purdueguy]

I have an AMD XP system but I can't recommend spending that kind of money on an AMD system.

If you are buying a Crosshair then I'm assuming you can afford 2GB of memory which is what I would recommend. Corsair DDR2 800. This price is 7 bucks better than Newegg at the moment. For AM2 systems, you need this type of fast memory to take advantage of the CPU otherwise socket 939 would be a better value.

My recommendation is go C2D. If you don't plan on OC'ing, Newegg has PQI Turbo 2x1GB DDR2 667 sticks for 180 bucks after MIR. This is bargain as far as memory is concerned at the moment.

Mobo: ASUS P5N SLI - $127

CPU: I'd pick up the E6300 or E6600 depending on how much you want to spend. Though, I'd recommend the E6600 over the E6300.

This system will cost less than the one you picked out and be a heck of a lot better.

 

[The_OGS]

Hi Kennedy23,
That's a beautiful high-end SLI AM2 mobo there.
AMD AM2 is still good competition for Core2, as price and performance are comparable and AM2 is more energy-efficient.
Recent tests showed A64 x2 3800+ and 4600+ used less power (and generated less heat) than E6300 and E6400 respectively.
However, these new Intel CPUs are very powerful and you must consider at least x2 4600+ (2.4GHz/2x512KB) to compare with E6300. Unfortunately the x2 4600+ costs the same as E6400!
So there you go. AM2 advantage is that motherboards can be got for 1/2 price compared to Core2 mobos... but you have selected one of the most expensive AM2 mobos.
If you are going to apply 2 expensive nVidia vidcards and install hundreds of dollars RAM, you could definitely 'afford' Core2 by spending the same dollars differently.
Or if you want good inexpensive gaming, as you have asked for 1GB RAM not 2GB, you should consider a lesser AM2 mobo. That high-end mobo with only 1GB and inexpensive 3800+ just doesn't make sense (unbalanced).
For AM2 you would use PC2-6400 memory @ 400MHz (800DDR).
For Core2 you could get PC2-5400 and run it @ 266MHz (533DDR). Since this memory is rated for 667DDR it will run very well at the lower (synchronous) speed, with tight memory timings :^)
This is another (slight) Core2 cost advantage,
Regards

 

[TSIMonster]

Great post, and good advice. One thing though, isn't PC25400 675mhz effective? I though 667 was PC25300.... not really important at all, just curious

 

[Kennedy23]

Thanks for all the great advice.
I've never built a intel system before and I havent really looked at the C2D stuff.
But since reading your recommendations I am now seriously thinking about getting C2D.
I have no idea where to begin however.
Can you recommend a sli mobo, processor and ram and maybe a video card.
I basically cant afford the top end stuff but i do want to get a mobo that has some upgrade potential for in about 2 years and a system to run todays latest games quite comfortably.
I was also thinking with the SLI i get 1 gfx card now and then get another card to go with it in a year or so, Keeping up with the new games that come out.