Click away from buying new comp. DDR3 or DDR2?

[Getoffdez]

Hi Guys, I'm very close to ordering a new PC. The PC will be use for gaming, watching BR movies, rendering in 3dmax, and photoshop. My dilemma is that if I go for DDR3 I can only get one 4870x2 and if I go for DDR2 I won't be able to reuse my ram this coming summer when I do a system upgrade for the new Intel chip. I know the new Intel chips are close to be release but I have been waiting for a while now and I need a new comp. for school since my current comp. takes forever to render. Also, I'm just not sure about the first gen. of next gen. hardware.

I want to push a Q9650 to 4.0Ghz but I'm not sure if DDR2 will get me there since I have very little knowledge in OCing. About having two 4870x2 is nothing more then personal satisfaction =p.

So is the extra bandwidth from DDR3 worth the money for my use with a PC? Can DDR2 help me reach 4.0Ghz? and if so, should I go for DDR2 800 or 1066?

Here are the list of Corsair RAM I'm currently looking at.


DDR3

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145190


DDR2

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145214

CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145194


The rest of the system

Monitor: Samsung 24inch
Case: Antec 1200
CPU: Q9650
PSU: Corsair 1000W
HS: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme Black
HDD: WD VelociRaptor 300gb
Mobo: Depending on RAM, Asus Rampage Extreme or Rampage Formula

 

[gators1223]

you can get there fine on ddr2 i would suggest 1066 if you really plan on 4.0ghz, and by the time next summer ram prices will have dropped so it doesn't make sense to pay large sums now for ddr3

 

[Getoffdez]

Ok, so which setup will give me the best performance? and will the bandwidth from DDR3 make a difference?

 

[Proximon]

You won't be able to reuse your RAM anyway. X58 needs matched triples, not pairs, and the voltage must be below 1.65v, and most is not. In fact, it's very hard to find 3x2GB DDR3 right now under the voltage limit.

You won't see any significant gain from DDR3, so just get the Rampage Formula and some good DDR2 1066.

You will not see very much gain from adding a second 4870X2 either. Nowhere near enough to justify the cost.

Since you aren't getting a second card save even more money and get a P45 board.

 

[fruees]

Definatley agree with Proximon; you can save a whole load of money and achieve very similar performance with the right know-how. Remember that as little as a year ago, a q9650, 4gb ddr2 1066, an ip45 and a 4870x2 would have set you back just as much as you'd pay for your new i7 setup in a few months. With all computer components, the first 6 months of their lifespan see them valued at far more than their actual worth when compared to more dated products. IMO a 6 - 12 month period is necessary before components, esp GPUs and RAM, start to reflect a realistic price. Basically i'm saying that you're right to steer well clear of the 1st gen of new gen hardware...don't touch it with a barge pole unless you want to see a system in 1 year that's better than yours for half the price