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Help me select DDR3 RAM for my new configuration

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - Help me select DDR3 RAM for my new configuration

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morbius1   05-18-2009 at 10:34:16 PM

I am building a new configuration based on:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955
M/B: GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P

Given that I wish to install 4GB (2x2GB) of DDR3 RAM, I have the 5 possible options (the price mentioned is the product price in my market in US$ equivalent):

1. OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 7-7-7-24 $160

2. OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 9-9-9-26 $92

3. CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 9-9-9-24 $112

4. CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 9-9-9-24 $84

5. G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 9-9-9-24 $79


What is the most important parameter I should look at: Frequency (1333 or 1600 ?) or Cas Latency (7 or 9 ?) ?
Typically, will I see any difference when using my system if I choose 1600 or 1333 ?
Same question, if I choose CL 7 or CL 9 ?
I am not very knowledgeable at selecting RAM, and all those parameters are confusing to me, so could you help me selecting the right set of RAM, given that the price factor comes into consideration too ?


Message edited by morbius1 on 05-18-2009 at 10:58:26 PM
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Optjon   05-19-2009 at 12:07:53 AM
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is this a gaming rig? or is this intended for other purposes?

Message quoted 1 times
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morbius1   05-19-2009 at 12:15:37 AM
- 0 +

Optjon wrote :

is this a gaming rig? or is this intended for other purposes?


50% for gaming, 50% for other purposes ...

Reply to morbius1
Optjon   05-19-2009 at 12:18:59 AM
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for gaming i would recommed spending more money in a good GPU over memory, and as for memory ram with tighter timings will overall make your system tighter and more responsive, i recommend 7-7-7-X timings and 1333 MHz if price is an issue


Message edited by Optjon on 05-19-2009 at 12:19:35 AM
Reply to Optjon
geofelt   05-19-2009 at 02:15:21 AM
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For any ram you are considering, do your own homework.
Go to the ram vendor's web site, and access their configurator.
Corsair, Kingston, Patriot, OCZ and others have them.
Their compatibility list is more current than the motherboard vendor's QVL lists which rarely get updated.
Enter your mobo or PC, and get a list of compatible ram sticks.

Cpu performance is not very sensitive to ram speeds.
If you look at real application and game benchmarks(vs. synthetic tests),
you will see negligible difference in performance between the slowest and fastest ram.
Perhaps 1-2%. Not worth it to me.
Don't pay extra for faster ram or better timings unless you are a maximum overclocker.

Reply to geofelt
morbius1   05-19-2009 at 03:54:20 PM
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So, according to Optjon, timings are more important than frequency, and I should select 7-7-7-x if possible. The thing is that, for me, the only 7-7-7-x RAM available is the #1 (OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 7-7-7-24) and it is by far the more expensive one at $160.

According to geofelt, the RAM parameters have little impact on the system's performance and I should go for the cheapest one.

Hmmm.....

Reply to morbius1
cjl   05-19-2009 at 07:22:03 PM
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Honestly, I would go with this instead:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026RC45 [...] nkCode=asn

It's low voltage 1600MHz RAM with 8-8-8-24 timings for $70 (and btw, 1600MHz 8-8-8-24 actually has better timings than 1333MHz 7-7-7-x). The only problem is that it is a brand new product, and as a result, it is hard to find. The only place I can find it is Amazon, where it has a predicted ship time of 1-3 months.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Asus P6T deluxe
i7 965 @ 4.2GHz (200*21), 1.384V
12GB Corsair Dominator DDR3-1600 CAS 7
 Reply to cjl
morbius1   05-19-2009 at 08:29:07 PM
- 0 +

cjl wrote :

Honestly, I would go with this instead:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026RC45 [...] nkCode=asn

It's low voltage 1600MHz RAM with 8-8-8-24 timings for $70 (and btw, 1600MHz 8-8-8-24 actually has better timings than 1333MHz 7-7-7-x). The only problem is that it is a brand new product, and as a result, it is hard to find. The only place I can find it is Amazon, where it has a predicted ship time of 1-3 months.


Thanks, cjl. Only pb is that, if it ships within 3 months on Amazon.com in the US, it will probably be available within 12 months where I am. Not sure I can wait for such a long time... I'd better find an alternative.

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