ASUS P5Q-Pro : 4 Sticks of DDR2 1200 or 1066?

[rekijitsu]

Hi All,

I just ordered a P5Q-Pro Motherboard, and I'm having a hard time deciding over to get 1066MHz or 1200 MHz RAM. The only size DDR2 1200 comes in is 1GB sticks as far as I know. The 1200 MHz would match an OCed E8500 which I plan to OC around 3.6Ghz (400MHz set in BIOS x 9 multiplier) better than 1066 (1200 is a dividend of 3.6GHz, and can also be divided evenly by the 400MHz FSB set).

I get confused when I'm messing with 1066 and good even number OCs, since a lot of the time the ratios tend to be non-integers. Can anyone enlighten me just how important the FSB/RAM speeds are when compared to CPU speed and happen to be integer ratios?

The way I understand it... you want your ratios to be nice and even, like 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1 CPU speed to RAM speed ratios. Should I concern myself with this?

Will 4 sticks of 1200MHz RAM even work on a P5Q-Pro? I have heard by some that due to voltage requirements, its impossible to run DDR2 1200 in 4 sticks, but in two sticks it is possible. If it isn't possible, should I still go for 2 sticks of 1GB DDR2 1200 and 2 sticks of cheaper, 1066 or 800 ram?

The lowest voltage I can find on any 1200 RAM is 2.1-2.3v on the OCZ Flex XLC 2GB (2 x 1GB), located at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227230.

Does anyone understand my goal? I want to slightly OC my processor to have integer ratios with my RAM speeds, even with 1066, I would need to *slightly* OC to 3.198GHz to make it a 3:1 ratio. Is this ratio worth attaining? Or should I just OC as much as I can while staying cool? If anyone reccomends I just go with 1066, please give me one that would be compatible with my board. I don't care how many sticks it is, I really only plan to have this rig at 4GB of RAM.

Here is a link to my processor and Mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299&Tpk=P5Q%2bpro

 

[rekijitsu]

Does anyone even understand my confusion? XD

 

[SvenBoogie]

I know this isn't exactly helpful, but I'm curious why you bought a retail proc if you're planning on overclocking?

I wouldn't really overclock with the stock cooler...

 

[rekijitsu]

I am not gonna use the stock cooler, and yeah the best price I can find is for Retail, I can't find OEM anywhere.

I plan to use a Freezer 7 Pro, its the only thing that will fit sadly.

 

[SvenBoogie]

I am not gonna use the stock cooler, and yeah the best price I can find is for Retail, I can't find OEM anywhere.

I plan to use a Freezer 7 Pro, its the only thing that will fit sadly.

No worries, seems like a good deal anyway, you're actually making me question picking up my Q6600 (with the exact same board, btw) just yesterday!

 

[rekijitsu]

I originally had planned the 2.66 GHz quad with DDR3 1333, but I am doing this for gaming, and I just want to get by til Nehalem becomes mainstream and fair prices (like how C2D is now).

 

[SvenBoogie]

Heh, I settled for DDR2 800, 4gb of corsair for $66 after rebate on newegg.

 

[rekijitsu]

In fact I may just go with some good CAS latency DDR2 800s and say F the math and OC to just 3.2GHz, lol

 

[rekijitsu]

Anyone think I should try for the DDR2 1200?

If it doesn't go at that speed with 4 sticks, it should clock down to 1066 anyway. It would just be a waste of money though if DDR2 1200 was running at 1066.