A8N32 and it's memory

[NightShadeKW]

What is the actual difference between the performance of the Corsair XMS PC 3200 and the Corsair XMS 3500? is it worth the extra money?

I'll be getting the Asus A8N32 motherboard, a Geforce 7800 GTX 256Mb (maybe another in SLI down the road), and either a Athlon 64 X2 4400+ or 4800+ (haven't decided on one yet - any thoughts on this would be appreciated too), and I won't likely be overclocking (maybe some, but not extensively).

I'd love to hear some thoughts.

 

[Skott]

From what I have heard the 3500LL is a pretty good module for speed and overclocking. Not the best but not the worse either. Good for up to moderate overclocking for those wanting to overclock. Havent heard if its better or worse then the XMS PC3200.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

If you're not overclocking much, just pick up some COrsair Value RAM. The performance difference between value RAM and premium RAM is almost nonexistant.

 

[NightShadeKW]

The 3500 is the one that's supposedly been built for the motherboard right?

Thanks for the input folks - any thoughts on the 4400+ vs. the 4800+?

 

[MadAd]

well not nonexistent but 7% at most, from the best space cadet ram to worst no-name value brands... hard to justify double (or more) of the cost for such a small increase though.

However stability is worth paying for so I tend to prefer value lines of top memory makers like corsair or crucial, stable but needing a divider if you want to overclock the board much more than stock. The price works out half again over budget ram with performance not much higher but you usually get the big name backing for your money too (eg decent length warranty).

 

[MadAd]

Originally posted by: NightShadeKW
The 3500 is the one that's supposedly been built for the motherboard right?

Yeah thats the ones, cost about a third more than the board itself, which is expensive enough as it is. If it wasnt for the stock delays id already have the a8n32, im just getting normal 2x1gb XMS3200 for mine, cant afford stupid ram prices, well, saying that the xms are £146 but thats much less than the 3500s.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Yeah, as long as you stick with decent value RAM from a reputable company like Corsair, Crucial, OCZ, etc that has a lifetime warrenty.

 

[GnomeCop]

best thing IMO about the 3500PRo LL is that it has great timings at 2GB (1Gbx2) module sizes.

 

[Compuzen]

I'm a noob to OC'ing, but here is what I've done with this Mobo, RAM, and my Opteron 146 this weekend.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1760816&enterthread=y

I'm still learning, but I could't get much leighway from the RAM. It scored higher than all the RAM options they give you to compair on Sysoft Sandra.

 

[NightShadeKW]

I just went with the 3200. There was a $28 rebate so it was only slightly more expensive than the valueselect.

Any more thoughts on 4400+ vs 4800+? That's the last part I have to order (processor).

 

[Skott]

At stock cores the 4800 clearly beats the 4400. There's no debating that. The biggest issue most people have is the cost. Both are overpriced IMO but not alot can be done about it. If you look at it from a cost vs performance issue Taking the 4400 and OCing it to a 4800 or higher is a better option. Then again the best cost vs performance deal is taking a 3800 or Opty 165 and overclocking it to a 4800. For the non-overclockers you are suck affording the most cpu you can afford.

There is the Opteron option. Finding a opteron of same level performance but cheaper in price. Assuming you can find such a deal at this point. The holidays plus the opty grab craze has made supplies extremely low and prices higher than their original setting.

 

[NightShadeKW]

If I were to overclock a 4400 to 4800 speeds, would that produce a bunch of heat and instability? Would the stock heatsink still be enough or would I need something else?

 

[Skott]

From what I understand its only a small jump so the stock hsf would probably be fine.