DDR - CorsairXMS vs. XtremeDDR vs.GeIL

[PoppaCap]

Hey everyone,

I am putting together a new AMD system with an XP2200+ and an Epox 8k3a+ (not set in stone, so I am open to suggestions)

The tough part now is deciding what RAM to go with. The 3 mentioned above seem to be the 3 top performers and the best at OCing. I know it's a rare thing to hear, but money is not really much of an issue for me right now, so price only matter a little in deciding what to get. Or should I spend my money elsewhere? I will probably be getting 1 stick of 512mb of whatever DDR I decide on (for now at least)

Does anyone have experience with multiple types of high speed pc3000 or pc3200 DDR? I have been trying to soak up all the info I can find in reviews and from forum posts, but it is still a tough decision.

Any input on the Motherboard? (I don't really need onboard sound or LAN, but I do want to have RAID, and the Promise controller that many mobos have doesn't look too good for a RAID0, which is one reason I chose the Epox)

Thanks for any input!

Arin

 

[serialb]

I am also looking for some info on high speed DDR RAM. However, I do not have the fortune to afford any of those

For the motherboard, Epox just released an updated version of KT333 - 8K5A2+. It has onboard LAN and the new VIA southbridge which hosts 4+2 USB 2.0 ports. If the onboard LAN doesn't feed your appetite, USB 2.0 should.

 

[Mavrick007]

I would say go with either Corsair XMS or Crucial PC2700 CL2 and overclock it if you have to. I would even look at some Samsung PC2700 ram as well. I don't think I would use the Corsair on the Epox mobo though cause some people have been noticing problems with that ram on their boards.

I would stay away from Geil, which seems to overclock their ram anyway (check the ns rating on the chips, alot are at 7ns which isn't even 300Mhz DDR even). I haven't heard of XtremeDDR but anyone who has to describe their product in their name doesn't sound good (read: OCZ = over clocker). I could be wrong but I would like to know more about them first.

 

[PoppaCap]

I have been reading up on the new EPoX board (the 8K5A2+) and I think I will be going with that one instead, thanks!
As for the RAM, if Corsair has been having some issues with these boards (or was it just the older 8K3A+ board?), then do you think Crucial pc2700 will work pretty much just as well? I don't have much experience overclocking, although I know I could find all the info I'd need on these forums somewhere.
Is the main problem with Corsair and EPoX the fact that the RAM is too fast for the board? or is it one of those problems where the stability is effected if there is more than 2 sticks of RAM in the board?

Thanks again!

Arin

 

[Mavrick007]

Whatever the case, I would not go with the Corsair XMS stuff cause it's basically overclocked 333mhz ram(PC2700). The only true DDR400 out right now is by Samsung and it will stay stable at agressive settings as opposed to the other overclocked stuff.

Your best bet is to go with either some good Crucial PC2700 or better yet go with the Samsung either the PC2700 or the DDR400 which will suit you well. That way you aren't paying extra for some overclocked chips that will not really get any better than they are out of the box, unlike the Samsung stuff which should go even further (the DDR400 has gone up to 450 or higher).

 

[CrazySaint]

Its starting to look like Samsung Original PC3200 CAS3 (which people say will run at 2-2-2-6T timings @ PC3200), may be the best OC RAM out there right now, with Corsair XMS 3200 CAS2 being second (it may be OC'd PC2700, but it still goes REALLY high, I think THUGSROOK got DDR442 on XMS PC3000 CAS2)

 

[PoppaCap]

Thanks for all your help Mavrick (and serialb).
I'll go with either Crucial or Samsung depending on what I find at a better deal.

nNow the choice between pc2700 or DDR400 samsung begins!

Arin

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: PoppaCap
Thanks for all your help Mavrick (and serialb).
I'll go with either Crucial or Samsung depending on what I find at a better deal.

nNow the choice between pc2700 or DDR400 samsung begins!

Arin

Are you planning UNLOCKING that 2200+? If not, then it really doesn't matter what kind of RAM you get as long as its PC2700, 'cuz there's no way in hell you'll even get it up to 166FSB (2.24GHz).