DDR2 667 @ 4-4-4-12 vs DDR2 533 @ 3-3-3-8. Ordering soon, need advice!

[Trey22]

I'm not looking for the greatest RAM out there, just something with decent timings. I don't mind having to run a divider. Both have a $30 rebate, which is nice.

With the AM2 platform, what matters most? Timings or bandwidth?

DDR2 667 @ 4-4-4-12

vs

DDR2 553 3-3-3-8

 

[akshayt]

1) Get Core 2 Duo PERIOD
Whatever of the 2 memories you get a core 2 duo will kill the am2.

2) With core 2 duo i think the first option might be better, but I actually don't know.

 

[Trey22]

I'm looking at $50 CPU's not $200+.

For what I will be using this rig for, an AM2 Sempron will have plenty of horspower.

 

[Thor86]

AMD cpus including AM2s are not bandwidth starved, so you want the tightest timings for best performance.

 

[cjsketchy]

If the socket 939 processors are any indication, I'd go for the tighter timings. Athlon 64's don't seem to care much about the memory bandwidth. Mind you, the timings won't make a big difference either, I doubt you'd see even a 1% difference between the two memories.

 

[Bateluer]

Go for the tighter timings. Xbit Lab's AM2 article compares 533, 667, and 800 DDR2 modules and their memory bandwidth at different timings. DDR2-800 with 4-4-4-12 timings comes out on top, but that was with an A64x2. You're talking about a Sempron, so I would think that either of those would be fine. I doubt you'd notice much difference between them.

 

[Trey22]

Great, thanks for the input.

 

[obeseotron]

Can't say for sure which is best, but a sempron will be more sensitive to memory speed (be it latency or bandwidth) than an athlon because it has less cache, which means more RAM access. I doubt it's a huge difference, and I don't think you'll notice regardless of what memory you chose. If a sempron is more than enough power for what you're doing, I wouldn't be concerned with anything but price

 

[araczynski]

if you're more concerned about the cost (based on your cpu price level), then do the same for the memory, go for the cheaper one, if they're the same, go for timings.

 

[xtreme26]

Originally posted by: akshayt
1) Get Core 2 Duo PERIOD
Whatever of the 2 memories you get a core 2 duo will kill the am2.

2) With core 2 duo i think the first option might be better, but I actually don't know.

hey x1900xtx sucks boy, maybe he prefers am2 for various different reasons, don't come into this thread and try to give him irrelavent answers to his questions. anyways, i say go with the ddr2 667 ram

 

[zest]

DDR2 667 3-3-3-10

 

[secretanchitman]

DDR2-800 4-4-4-5 timings from g.skill = awesome EXPENSIVE 2x1GB kit.

go with the DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 timings from g.skill - around $250 bucks on newegg. though i hear they dont work well in AM2 mobos but g skill has excellent repair service.

 

[zest]

If you can afford it get the Best DDR2 on the market today:
Cosair r Twin2x2048-6400C3 - 3-4-3-9

 

[Trey22]

Eventually, when I upgrade to a Conroe based setup, I will get some nice overclocking RAM. For now, on this budget build, the mid-range RAM will do. I will be overclocking a bit, not out of necessity, but for the fun of it, and know I'll have to use a divider, but no worries there.

I did suspect AMD platforms were more sensitive to timings, thanks for the clarification guys.

 

[RallyMaster]

cheapest ftw.