Best (inexpensive) memory for AMD 64

[Laudas]

After reading and posting numerous threads, I have decided to upgrade my system from a Barton 2500 OC'd to 2800 speeds ASUS mobo w 512 megs pc2100 ram to a AMD 64 3200 Venice, MSI NEO2 Platinum MOBO and 1 GIG Ram.

My question - I keep seeing people posting statements that it is better to spend less on a CPU and more on quality RAM....If this is true it may change my plans to a AMD 64 3000 and better RAM. What do I look for when buying it? I had planned on $80.00 gig of Corsair cheapos from New Egg w./ 2.5 initial stepping....Sadly, I don't even know what that means!

Thanks for all of your Sage advise...

Laudas - the new guy

 

[Vegitto]

I'm not so sure, too, but I think it means the CL is 2.5. If you're willing to spend a little more, you could either get >PC3200 RAM (AKA higher than PC3200 RAM) or PC3200 RAM with enhanced latencies.

 

[shiranai]

I'm going to assume you're overclocking.

From reading through AT and dfi-street, I didn't notice much of a difference in max CPU overclock between the 3000+ and the 3200+, although the option to use lower FSB w/ 10x multiplier is certainly welcome. With a max multiplier of x9 on the 3000+ it's possible that you may end up sacrificing significant CPU speed to run value memory, and according to some posts I've read, running dividers below 150 (3:4) will significantly impact overall system performance. Whether the extra x10 multiplier is worth the ~$50 price difference is up to you.

In terms of the RAM itself, you could take a look at the OCZ Value VX (OCZ4001024WV3DC-K), which are supposed to be untested VX sticks. Overclocking results tend to be quite good, although luck is definitely a factor.

AT review of this RAM is here: http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2392&p=8

 

[richardrds]

You are fine with that $80 Value ram. A64's run async with the memory anyway, so even if you overclock past the limits of your value ram you just need to set up a ram divider in the bios. Read Zebo's Ram Sticky, he proves that it is foolish to buy expensive ram for a A64, you are better off putting the money you save on ram to something else.

You may also want to just consider the A64 3000+ Venice. You can get a retail one with the HSF included for $145, and it will Overclock just as well as the 3200+. You should be able to reach between 2.5 to 2.7Ghz with out much hassel. This means your $145 CPU is performing as well as a stock $800 FX53/FX55.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1475190&enterthread=y