ASUS P4P800 Memory Question

[jgbishop]

I'm looking at buying an ASUS P4P800 motherboard, and I'm buying some Crucial memory for it at the same time. I want 2 512-MB DIMMs of PC2700 memory, but there are two choices at newegg:

Model listed as "8T"
Model listed as "16T"

The part numbers are: CT6464Z335.8T and CT6464Z335.16T (respectively). The Crucial website simply lists part number CT6464Z335 as a valid option for this motherboard (not the trailing 8T or 16T).

I'm assuming both are compatible with this motherboard, but there is a price difference between the two. What is the difference between these two models of memory?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[egale]

If you are planning to run P4C processor with an 800mhz fsb, you will need PC3200 as a minimum.

 

[jgbishop]

Is this really true? The manual for the P4P800 states (page 2-12): "When using 800 MHz CPU FSB, PC 2700 DDR DIMMs may run only at 320 MHz (not 333 MHz) due to chipset limitation." That makes it sound like PC 2700 modules can run with an 800 MHz FSB.

I'm not planning on overclocking anything in my system, so I'm mainly interested in the cheapest, most reliable memory available. I only looked at Crucial since I've had good luck with them in the past, but any other suggestions are welcome.

So, long story short, what's the most cost-effective RAM to purchase for a P4P800 with a 2.6 or 2.8 GHz Intel processor?

Thanks again!

 

[RalfHutter]

For the $8 per stick difference that Crucial charges for their PC3200 RAM I would definitely, without hesitation, go for the PC3200 RAM. Using the full speed memory will let your CPU works as it's intended to do. Using PC2700 RAM will unecessarily cripple your CPU. You're talking $77 for a 512MB stick of Crucial PC2700 vs. $85 for a 512MB stick of PC3200. Go with the correct memory for your board (the PC3200)

Here's the Crucial memory page for the P4P800.

 

[Jeff H]

jgbishop, you're right, that's what the manual says. However, 800MHz Intels require 400DDR (PC3200) to run at rated speed. W/ PC2700 you're essentially holding back the processor and FSB. If you're going to o/c this thing, you might want to consider some good PC3500 - usually have more "headroom" than PC3200, as their timings are more relaxed.