Cheap 400MHz DDR memory

[rogue1979]

I ordered some generic PC3500 from Enet Marketing on pricewatch. I didn't need it to run 433MHz, I was hoping for 200MHz at medium timings. It was $33 shipped per 256MB stick, I ordered four. It came with copper heat spreaders and does what I expected. Of course, it won't run PC3500 even though they claim it was tested. But the four sticks run between 202 and 210MHz using dual channel DDR on an Epox 8RDA. Relaxed timings, 8-3-3 cas 2.5 at 2.63v, not a bad deal. Doesn't seem to like high ddr voltage at all. I thought this was a good option for anyone on a budget.

 

[Shimmishim]

hmm...

have you tested each stick individually and not in dc mode?

i'm sure that they should be able to do 217 individually...

also... 2.5-3-3-8 is pretty relaxed @ 200 mhz

ram is very important and something not to be too cheap on...

i'd spend the extra 10 dollars or so and get some better ram...

but still, not too bad of a deal....

why don't you try upping the vdimm a little and see if that helps with your timings

 

[rogue1979]

I tried upping the vdimm, results were slower. Also individually results weren't any better. My thinking was when dual channel was enabled memory overclocking was limited by the chipset of the motherboard, not the actual memory running slower in dc mode. Could be wrong, I'm not sure if anyone has tested for that yet, but I see alot of people losing 10MHz or more on the fsb speeds by enabling dc mode.

These same sticks of memory run about the same 202-210MHz in single mode on my Chaintech 7NJL1. But when I go for dc I am limited to 175MHz or so. I switched over to my Epox 8RDA and they run 202-210MHz in single or dual, no difference. The two 8RDA's (older stepping) I have where limited to 190MHz or so because of 3D video tearing, but the simple Vdd mod fixed that issue. Needless to say the 8RDA is now replacing my Chaintech in my primary rig.

My opinion is if you want really good memory, you have to buy the best, Twinmos or something similar. I already tried a stick of Samsung true PC3200 (not overclocked crap), and it struggles to hit 200MHz at relaxed timings. Seems like this generic PC3500 is a better gamble unless you want to shell out more money for the "real stuff".