uwill99

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How important is it versus DDR2 800... seems like the lower the rating, the lower the CAS latency is. Wondering because I'm stuck on buying memory, currently at http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820134066 right now, Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2LLK2/2G, stuck between Kingston and Crucial memory sticks, preferably 4GB PC 6400+ just don't know if CAS latency should come into account when buying them.
 

jadeite

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If this is for a core 2 duo CPU, benchmarks conclude the difference between the very slowest, highest latency RAM versus the very most expensive, fastest, overclocked RAM is just a few percent. Conclusion: use the money on something else that will give you a bigger bang for the buck. Below is DDR2-800 about half the price of yours, but you could just as well use DDR2-533 or 667 and save more and your system will be just as fast (probably faster if you spend the extra savings on a better video card, CPU, etc):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066
 

horsepower288

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Go ballistic if it's ok with your wallet, man, and by that I mean Crucial Ballistix ddr2 memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Descrip tion=Crucial+Ballistix

more expensive than the Kingston, but containing Micron D9 chips if I am not mistaken...so, serious overclocking potential as well, on a good motherboard...my ddr2 is Geil Ultra and so far I have only dreamt about purchasing the Ballistix...
 

kaiser101

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Hi guys,

Since I have a similar predicament, I decided to ask my question in this topic than create a new one.

I am stuck between 3 RAM
One is a G-Skill 800 with some great latency timings 4-4-3-5 (104$)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231114
Second one is also a G-Skill but its a little easy on the wallet (88$)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
Third one is an A-Data cheapest of the lot (64$ after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

My question is, is G-Skill worth the 40$ premium??
 

randomizer

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Are you going to overclock? If not, get the cheap g.skill, the more expensive one will perform only slightly better and may have problems with cheap motherboards due to it needing at least 2V to run at stock speeds, whereas the DDR2 standard is 1.8V. Avoid the A-Data if you can afford to, it is not the best quality.
 

kaiser101

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Thanks randomizer,

I plan to use the Giga-byte G33M-DS2R motherboard. Also, I would like to know, if cranking up the voltage on the cheaper G-Skill RAM will increase the frequency or reduce the latency??
 

randomizer

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Upping voltage does nothing for frequency or latency. You need to adjust those separately. It generally does however allow you to increase (or decease for timings/latency) those parameters beyond what you can do at stock voltage. If you do not intend to run your RAM out of spec, don't increase the voltage. All it will do is increase heat output and lessen the life of the RAM with no performance increase. Note that with the cheaper g.skill (according to newegg, better to check the manufacturers site) you are able to up the voltage to 2V while still remaining inside the spec for the RAM modules, meaning that up to and including 2V you should be able to push it while maintaining warranty. Anything beyond that the RAM is not spec'd to run so if it fails, you are not covered by warranty (not that they will know what you ran it at anyway).
 

systemlord

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My CPU temp unloaded is 28-32C (core temp 45C) & loaded while playing intense gaming (Oblivion) CPU temp no higher than 50C (core temp 60-65C). I'm at the limit for the heat, but with water cooling I know I could get 4GHz. I have already posted at 4GHz but the heat was an issue. My GPU idles @51C and loads @79C as for AUX I have not seen that before or know what it is. My Vcore is set in bios at 1.58v, but actual Vcore is 1.55v. Running Orthos I'm almost at the max limit for heat so I have to keep my computer room cool.
 

crumble114

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Nice, I'm going to be overclocking my E6600, RAM and Video Card soon (X1900XT), you got any tips for me, the novice overclocker? Perhaps you've found some tips for the E6600 to get up to your speeds easily? :p
 

uwill99

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OK, I checked out all your suggestions, the 800Mhz looked fine being cheaper but i've saved money on everything else so I could get some decent RAM. http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820148069

However! I checked out the compatibility with my potential mobo (haven't ordered yet)on the main website, and it says nothing about Ballistix, just Crucial and only for DDR 800. here's the link, anybody know if they work together?

http://www.gigabyte.us/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_ga-p35c-ds3r_2.0.pdf

if direct link doesn't work here's

http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=2577

memory is on the right side
 

systemlord

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I do have some tips. Don't just keep upping the Vcore just because you fail Orthos, example: up everything together like your FSB volts, Northbridge volts and Vcore together. If you can try not to go to the max setting for your NB & FSB volts. Also your NB has the biggest impact on overclocking success, if you fail Orthos ask yourself why because its most likely one of three things Vcore, NB and FSB volts.

Your looking for a balance between the three settings. When you begin your OC set you Vcore to 1.375 to start and go up in FSB until you reach instability.(going past 1.375 Vcore voids your warranty). If you have good cooling you can go above the stock Volts but don't go past 1.55 on air cooling. Good luck on your OC.

My setting:
Vcore- 1.54v "actual"
NB- 1.55v
FSB voltage-1.4v
 

randomizer

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I wouldn't worry, that is an official list, they cant list all brands there (although they did a good job considering all the crap brands in the list).


When you OC its generally coz you don't care about warranties :)
Also, they are unlikely able to tell what vcore you ran it at even if it does (in the unlikely event) fry.