Can someone help me pick out some memory?

[SaltyNuts]

So I bought this motherboard:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and an Intel Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition that I plan to try and overclock the snot out of. Obviously the board takes DDR3 memory. But given my overclocking desire? What speed rating should I be looking for? Haven't bought memory in many years.

Also, is 8gb the sweet spot? I typically have tons of tabs on my web browser open, but I suspect 8gb could handle this no problem

 

[Charlie98]

Depends on what your budget for RAM is. 1600 is the basic standard, but sometimes 1866 can be had for a few dollars more; beyond that, you are entering diminishing returns.

8GB should be fine even for a heavy tab'er.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Thanks a ton Charlie. Two follow-up questions:

1. I take it the higher ratings means that the memory will work at higher "bus" (at least that's what it used to be called) speeds, i.e. 1866 vs 1600. I take it I should have memory at least as high as the bus speed I plan to use so it is sure to work?

2. What bus speeds am I likely to overclock to? Likely no higher than 1866? I take it if I'm at an 1866 bus speed, let's say, then having 2100 (or whatever) memory is no better than 1866 memory given they are both running at 1866 anyways?

Thanks!

 

[SaltyNuts]

Also, I see memories have a "CL" rating - is this what used to be called CAS? Lower is better?

Thanks.

 

[Charlie98]

Also, I see memories have a "CL" rating - is this what used to be called CAS? Lower is better?

Thanks.

Yes.

In my mind the tighter timings are more desirable, I have problems with my Samsung RAM when I try to push the speed over 1866MHz (but that just may be my system,) but are stable when I've cranked down the timings a bit.

One other thing, you can spec 1.35v RAM and generally overvolt it while bumping the CAS and/or speed.

Samsung used to be the darling of the RAM OC'ers, but that is not available any longer except used... it's good stuff (I have a set.) I saw another discussion here that Crucial and Corsair have some good low volt RAM that OC's well.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Thanks Charlie. 1.35 v RAM will work in my motherboard? If I get the lower v rated RAM, will the motherboard detect it automatically and adjust the V or do I need to change some setting first to avoid blowing it up?

Thanks!

 

[SaltyNuts]

So what speed RAM would you recommend I get - how high could I likely raise the bus speed? Thanks!

 

[bryanl]

1. I take it the higher ratings means that the memory will work at higher "bus" (at least that's what it used to be called) speeds, i.e. 1866 vs 1600. I take it I should have memory at least as high as the bus speed I plan to use so it is sure to work?

It means the memory will work at faster speeds than slower rated memory of the same brand and model, and companies vary in their standards for testing, meaning one firm's 2133 may not be reliable as another's 1866 when both are run at the same bus speed, timings and voltage. It's rare to find real 2133 chips or even 1866 chips on any memory, including the fastest models, which are most likely made of 1333 or 1600 chips.

 

[Charlie98]

Thanks Charlie. 1.35 v RAM will work in my motherboard? If I get the lower v rated RAM, will the motherboard detect it automatically and adjust the V or do I need to change some setting first to avoid blowing it up?

Thanks!

You should have voltage adjustments or offset in the BIOS. It may or may not detect the proper speed or voltage... my Gigabyte Z68 didn't.

Make small incremental changes. Bump the voltage up a wee bit, set your timings down, at stock speed, then adjust as you go.