CPU + RAM question

[AdamSnow]

Hey everyone...

I'm going to be buying an EVGA 680i motherboard, and a Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz chip, 1066Mhz FSB...

My question is, when I'm buying my RAM (2gb Dual Channel) what speed RAM do I need to buy? Do I need to pick up the rather expensive PC8500 1066Mhz RAM? If I go with 800Mhz RAM is that going to severly slow the machine down?

Just want to make sure I buy the right speed memory for this CPU... Overclocking will probably be in its future...

Thanks everyone!

 

[Yellowbeard]

Yoxxy's Guide is very helpful. IMO, get the 8500 or faster. It's not a popular opinion in some circles and PC6400 WILL perform very well. But, I like having overhead on my memory. You should be able to get a VERY fast 1:1 or 4:5 OC with your CPU on that MOBO.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Get the cheapest Micron D9 based memory you can find. Generally this is Crucial Ballistix. I say this because as it stands today, all Micron D9 based memory performs the same.

 

[myocardia]

If you aren't going to be overclocking, you only need PC4200 RAM. That's the speed that the E6400's FSB runs, when not overclocking. To run your processor at up to 3.2 Ghz, without overclocking the RAM any, any PC6400 RAM will do the job, though I agree with cmdrdredd, that getting Micron D9-based RAM is the best.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: myocardia
If you aren't going to be overclocking, you only need PC4200 RAM. That's the speed that the E6400's FSB runs, when not overclocking. To run your processor at up to 3.2 Ghz, without overclocking the RAM any, any PC6400 RAM will do the job, though I agree with cmdrdredd, that getting Micron D9-based RAM is the best.

Yes this is true however, D9 memory can run DDR2-800 at 3-3-3-8 at 2.2-2.3v where Infenion, elpida etc can barely manage 4-4-4-12 sometimes. if you don't need Mhz you will want to do low timings and D9 offers both.

 

[AdamSnow]

Okay, not up on the memory timings and everything...

This is the RAM I *was* looking at getting: Here

But here's a list of the Crucial Ballistix that they offer... What one should I get for max performance and overclocking?

List of Crucial Ballistix

Thanks so much everyone for looking and giving your input.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Ballistix DDR2-800 EPP. They are perfect.

But tigerdirect prices are wacko on them. In the US you can buy them for $280 and the Corsair is nowhere near that price.

 

[myocardia]

Wow, at those prices, get the Corsair Dominator. The PC8500 Dominator also has Micron D9 IC's, and is considerably cheaper than the Ballistix.

 

[cmdrdredd]

here's something I'd recommend before you buy either. G.Skill HZ can do DDR2-1100+

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...=F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ&manufacture=G.SKILL

much much cheaper too