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Confused about these RAM sticks

W

wgoldfarb

Senior member
I am getting ready to build my first system, it will be a Core 2 Duo. The most demanding things I will do with this are photo processing (photoshop) and some gaming. I will not overclock at first, but would like to leave the option open so I can give it a try later on.

I have chosen all my components, but I am confused about the RAM. Here is are the key pieces (minus RAM):

Intel C2D E6600
2GB DDR2 800 RAM
Asus P5B E (or maybe P5B Deluxe if budget allows)
GE Force 7800 GTX OC (I already have this)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB SATA
Corsair CMPSU 520-HX
Antec P180B
Win XP Home

Based on the intended usage of this system (photo editing, and possible attempts at moderate overclocking in the future) I am trying to balance good performance right now without overclocking (hence the E6600 instead of a E6400) with leaving the door open to overclock later (hence the DDR2 800 RAM instead of DDR2 667).

I have read about the compatibility problems between certain brands of RAM and the P965 mobos, so I narrowed it down to G.Skill and Corsair which appear to have the best compatibility (please correct me if this is wrong!) I found several models with a wide range of prices, but the differences between them are not obvious to me -- the specs and timings seem identical. So, could anyone please help me understand why these are priced so differently, and help me decide if it is worth paying extra for the pricier models? Here is what I looked at:

Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4PRO $355
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 $279
G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ $300
G.Skill F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK $260

All these have the same 4-4-4-12 timings and 2.0-2.1 voltage requirements. As far as I can tell, the only difference seems to be the heat spreaders. So, I am guessing that the main driver for the different prices is how well each of these overclock. Is this true?

Since I will only do moderate overclocking (and these RAMs are already DDR2 800, enough for any overclocking I may do), can I just get the cheaper RAM and use the savings to upgrade some other component (Mobo, for example, or maybe an aftermarket CPU Cooler), or will I get any advantage from the more expensive ones?

Thanks in advance!
 
Funny - I just got bought the same system on Tuesday (still waiting for some parts) for very similar reasons (photo/video editing and gaming, no to moderate overclocking). I went with the P5B Deluxe and the Corsair TWINX 6400C for $280. I was thinking the same way. I will only do moderate OC if any so I didn't spend extra on the RAM. I'm interested to see what some others think now.
 
Not to rain on your offerings but don't you think the prices for those RAM are a bit thru the roof.
Maybe its only me, but 2GB at those prices better be made of platinum because they surely reflect that.

I personally used Corsair before and they're definitely excellent RAM.
But if one had to go with additional 2GB in the future, the G. Skill is preferable, either one.
 
Originally posted by: pkme2
Not to rain on your offerings but don't you think the prices for those RAM are a bit thru the roof.
Click to expand...

Yes, I know RAM prices have gone up quite a lot recently, but the only way to get around that would be to wait a couple of months to see if they go back down. And even then, who knows IF they will go back down soon. From what I could see, DDR2 800 prices are high across the board, probably caused by the C2D launch. If I want to build a system soon, I will just need to bite the bullet 🙁
 
Originally posted by: wgoldfarb
Originally posted by: pkme2
Not to rain on your offerings but don't you think the prices for those RAM are a bit thru the roof.
Click to expand...

Yes, I know RAM prices have gone up quite a lot recently, but the only way to get around that would be to wait a couple of months to see if they go back down. And even then, who knows IF they will go back down soon. From what I could see, DDR2 800 prices are high across the board, probably caused by the C2D launch. If I want to build a system soon, I will just need to bite the bullet 🙁
Click to expand...

That's why I recommended the G. Skill, if time is of the essence.
I firmly believe that RAM prices will go down after Christmas, when supply is greater than the demand. The RAM people are definitely using the popularity of C2D to rake in the profits if we let them. Its your money.
 
G Skill is considered by many on AT as very good RAM. If you get G Skill, you can match them if you decide to get more later.
There a better chance that G Skill will reflect lower prices.

Its up to you. IMO, I picked G Skill for its intial pricing, no other reason.
 
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