What DDDR3 will be the best for O/C with a 2600K?

[JF47]

HI,

I just order via Internet a new Intel Core i7 2600K Quad Core Unlocked Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Sandy Bridge 8MB and I want to overclock it as fast as 4.6 GHz 4-Core; 4.9 GHz 1-Core?

I used the info from this article: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-overclocking-efficiency,2850-5.html to choose my new components.

But, the Tom's article is using the following G.Skill DDR3 for their overclocking:

G.Skill 2 X 4GB DDR3-2133, F3-17066 CL9D-8GBXLD @ almost 200$ the kit, which I find expensive!

What should be the best RAM (total of 8GB or 16GB) (DDR3-1333 or DDR3-2133) for my new i7 second generation if I want to overclock it at max and not facing a DDR3 bottleneck?

Thank you very much for your help

JF

 

[PreferLinux]

Whatever you like. The RAM has very little affect on speed. http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1

 

[JF47]

HI,

I am not concern by the speed but by the possible RAM bottlenecks when I will try to overclock my new CPU at it's max.

 

[PreferLinux]

As you are multiplier overclocking, you won't have any problems with RAM limiting the clockspeed you can get. (Because you aren't changing the speed at which the RAM is running.)

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

There are no RAM bottlenecks on the Sandy Bridge processors. Even if you overclocked to 6.0GHz by multiplier only (which isn't even possible with current Sandy Bridge processors), a dual-channel DDR3-1333 kit could still be used. The memory controller is that good.

For most people, an 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 kit offers great performance and won't break the bank.

 

[JF47]

... then, do you have a prefered RAM model and speed ?

Thank you all for your help.

JF

 

[AstroTC]

Kingston HyperX ram is really good

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

You have the right manufacturer. Just get one of G.Skill's lower-speed kits. The F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL is a good one at a good price.

I have two G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3-1600 CL9 kits in my Sandy Bridge system -- one 2x4GB kit and one 2x2GB kit for a total of 12GB. I don't really need 12GB but it was on sale that week from NewEgg, so I figured why not...

 

[saint19]

There are no RAM bottlenecks on the Sandy Bridge processors. Even if you overclocked to 6.0GHz (which isn't even possible with current Sandy Bridge processors), a dual-channel DDR3-1333 kit could still be used. The memory controller is that good.

For most people, an 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 kit offers great performance and won't break the bank.

6GHz SB are possible:

http://hwbot.org/community/submission/2134262_suicidephoenix_cpu_z_core_i7_2600k_5961.14_mhz
http://hwbot.org/community/submission/2136901_allenxoc_cpu_z_core_i5_2500k_5838.5_mhz


@OP: This are very good and overclock without problems: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231353&Tpk=PI%201600

 

[JF47]

HI,

I was also told it will be easier for the motherboard controler's to overclock a set of 2 X 4GB DDR3-1600 then a set of 4 X 2GB DDR-1600.

Is-it true ?

Thanks

 

[saint19]

HI,

I was also told it will be easier for the motherboard controler's to overclock a set of 2 X 4GB DDR3-1600 then a set of 4 X 2GB DDR-1600.

Is-it true ?

Thanks

Yeah, that's totally true. Plus, with 2x4GB you have the possibility to add another 2x4GB kit in future, while with 4x2GB you can't.

 

[JF47]

6GHz SB are possible:

http://hwbot.org/community/submission/2134262_suicidephoenix_cpu_z_core_i7_2600k_5961.14_mhz
http://hwbot.org/community/submission/2136901_allenxoc_cpu_z_core_i5_2500k_5838.5_mhz

Hi,

Your 2 references are very good.

Thank you.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

6GHz SB are possible:

http://hwbot.org/community/submission/2134262_suicidephoenix_cpu_z_core_i7_2600k_5961.14_mhz
http://hwbot.org/community/submission/2136901_allenxoc_cpu_z_core_i5_2500k_5838.5_mhz

I meant by multiplier only. As BCLK overclock on Sandy Bridge isn't very successful, I usually forget that some people still do it. The post has been edited to reflect my meaning.

 

[JF47]

HI

From all your good comments, I decide to choose between the followings:

1) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB), 1.5V, 9-9-9-24, 240-Pin SDRAM DDR3-1600 (PC3 12800) Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL @ 96.99$ per set.

OR

2) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB), 1.5V, 9-10-9-28, 240-Pin SDRAM DDR3-1866 (PC3 14900) Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL @ 126.49$ per set.

Those prices are so good that I will buy 2 set of 8GB for a total of 16GB and I think I will take the option 2.

Thank you very much for your help

JF

 

[Deleted member 217926]

It's hard to beat low cas DDR3 1600 with these chips. I have this with my 2600K. You can also find some cas 6 if you look around.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231431

 

[JF47]

A DDR3-1600 (2 X 4GB) with a CAS 7 @ less then 150$... this is a good price.

Thank you,

JF

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Sandy defaults to 1333 cas 9-9-9-24. Benchmarking it there with WEI it got a 7.6. After I enabled XMP and ran the memory at 1600 cas 7-8-7-24 it gets a WEI of 7.8. ( Windows experience Index up to 7.9 top )

 

[Guest]

You want a 1.5v kit for 1155 motherboard. That's what is recommended.

I had the same questions you did when purchasing... here's what you want...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&cm_re=corsair_8gb_ddr3_1600-_-20-233-144-_-Product

Corsair has a much lower failure rate than G.Skill.

 

[saint19]

High CL for 1600, take a look of newegg and Google and you can find RAM with the same CL but running at 2000MHz or even more.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

A DDR3-1600 (2 X 4GB) with a CAS 7 @ less then 150$... this is a good price.

That is actually a good price. However, it's not worth the extra expense over regular CL9 DDR3-1600 RAM. The performance difference is only a couple of percent, and you will not notice that while doing normal tasks or gaming. Save the money and spend it on something that will make a real noticeable difference like an SSD or a better graphics card.

 

[JF47]

Best answer selected by JF47.

 

[JF47]

HI,

I will finally buy a CL9 DDR-1600.

Thank you very much for all your help.

JF