Corsair DDR2 4GB Dominator 1066mHz is it good?

PC2-8500

thanks

P35 chipset doesn't need PC28500 1066Mhz. Only in the most extreme Ocing situation. PC26400 800Mhz. rated at 4-4-4-12 1.8-2.0v would be better for the P35. A lot of PC26400 will OC to near 1066Mhz. by loosening the timing and a voltage increase if needed. The advantage of 4 CAS and lower voltage, heat is with PC26400 which you do not have available with PC28500. Chipsets like the Intel X58 with the integrated triple channel memory controller can take better advantage of higher RAM transfer rates. The P35 does not generally speaking.

the motherboard has a P45 chipset, does it make a difference?

P45 has the dual Channel memory controller on the NB as does the P35. With PC28500 you are stuck with 5 Cas and 2.0-2.1v. With high quality PC26400 you have 4 CAS available with 1.8-2.0v. The PC26400 wil OC to near 1066Mhz. if needed. RAM transfer rate (speed) has a limited effectiveness with those chipsets as it distributes data to the processor within the system BUS. RAM speed is tied down to the system BUS. Example: You have the most Boss RAM with the highest clock known to man. But the 'system' is limited in a way it makes no difference beyond a certain point how fast the damn Boss RAM can run.

Edit for Writer's embellishment.

ok, thanks  .
because i am a newbie at messing with the BIOS, i dont think i will be OCing anything, would this make a difference in speed between the PC28500 and the PC26400?

well obviously it would, but, any other things that matter between the two?

Well, PC28500 is nothing more than PC26400 with a higher voltage requirement (PC26400 = 1.8-1.9v and PC28500 2.0-2.1v required) and the 'guarantee' the RAM will run at 5 CAS 8.5GBs per sec transfer rate. JEDEC standards do not recognize PC28500. They recognize PC26400 and that is how the PC28500 will be recognized in the BIOS when you install it in the MB. It will be defaulted to PC26400 JEDEC standards and the BIOS will default the voltage to 1.8v. You must go in to BIOS and increase the RAM voltage to 2.0-2.1v or the system WILL be unstable.

Oh, I read somewhere for some other OCZ Platnium PC28500, that they had to change the settings in the BIOS for it to work properly, just didn't read anything about having to do it with all the PC28500's. Thanks for the info btw.

Yeah, check Corsair's RAM voltage requirement on the Dominators. Then remmeber the BIOS will recognize ANY PC28500 as PC26400 (the closest JEDEC standard) and BIOS will default the RAM voltage to 1.8v.

I see the ASUS P45 MB. Some ASUS MB's have a BIOS which auto increases the RAM voltage to something slightly more than 1.8v.

Sorry, is this a good thing or a bad thing? (My computer knowledge is, somewhat lacking, if it isn't obvious)

I think ASUS calls it an 'auto' Ocing feature on some MBs. When you start assembling the system, use one DIMM RAM in slot one only to boot up the first time into BIOS. Once in BIOS increase the RAM voltage to Corsair's specs for that one DIMM. Load the OS with that one DIMM only. Then load the MB/chipset drivers from the MB install CD. Then install the rst of the DIMMs with the chipset drivers in place and the RAM voltage adusted correctly.

Thanks very much  

You're welcome. Nice to help and Aussie. 8)

> btw mobo is Asus P5Q3 S775 P45 with the Intel E8500 CPU


The P5Q3 requires DDR3, not DDR2:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
(DDR3 2000(O.C) / 1600)


Start out by leaving the memory settings on AUTO in the BIOS
for the DDR3 version of Corsair's Dominator line:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

Then, change the FSB to 400 MHz and enable SpeedStep.

Download & install CPU-Z to confirm that your chipset
has chosen a 1 : 1 FSB : DRAM ratio. CPU-Z will also
tell you what SPD options are available with the RAM
that you do purchase. "SPD" = Serial Presence Detect
which is a special chip on the DIMMs which permits
automatic BIOS configuration of RAM with SPD support.

If the memory you buy can clock higher, then
you can try an FSB : DRAM ratio of 1 : 2
(i.e. 400 MHz FSB and 800 MHz DRAM)


With that CPU you should see an automatic overclock
with SpeedStep enabled.


With these settings resulting in a stable system,
you can then try to push your overclocks even more,
depending on your skill and willingness to experiment.


p.s. The comments above concerning the P35 chipset
and DDR2 Dominator RAM are off-point, because the P5Q3
motherboard has a P45 chipset and it requires DDR3 RAM.


MRFS

MRFS wrote:



I wish OP had posted a link to the board and/or RAM like you did. OP stated DDR2 1066. OP is not an overclocker, so ramping the FSB to 400Mhz. is not in his future. You miss some of the important things sometimes. It's amazing OP did not correct me when I rattled off all those specs for DDR2 PC28500.

Aussie123 wrote:

PC28500? The board supports PC3 memory.

http://usa.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=diRYz5oR6oCEgWLw

thanks for pointing out the flaw, I'll look into the DDR3 Dominator series

Just a side note, JEDEC has ratified a 1066 DDR2 standard. But, it's not implemented in any current MOBO BIOS' I have seen. They all still boot at 1.8v @ DDR800 for the most part.

This thread is full of surprises.

Ok, I've started looking at DDR3 Ram for the P7P55d mobo. It's come down to the:
1. G.Skill 4gb (2x 2gb) PC3-12800 Trident:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or
2. G.Skill 4gb (2x 2gb) PC3-12800 Ripjaws:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Any ideas which is better?

Yellowbeard works for Corsair in a support capacity if you have any questions.

Yellowbeard, any opinion between the two?

Are you asking me which set of Gskill memory I think you should buy???

Yes, although you are a Corsair support tech, you should know your competition, or recommend a corsair set that would compete against the G.Skill memory

  That's what I was going to say. Exactly.  

 

Your question was if I had an opinion between 2 Gskill kits. No, I have no opinion on their memory.

It's extremely bad etiquette for me as a Corsair representative to come into a thread suggesting Corsair after you have clearly posted that you want to buy another brand. It may even also be a violation of forum rules.

If you want a recommendation for Corsair memory, our Dominator series is always a great option. If you want extreme OCing, go for the GT series.

http://www.corsair.com/products/memory_home.aspx

Xmas came early for 'ya aussie123. XMSYellowbeard has recommended some great Dominator RAM. And He can answer any specific questions you have! Wow. Take advantage right now.

All the questions that I've wanted answered have been, but if anything changes in my planned pc config. I'll post it

Good deal. Have fun with your build!