DDR2-800 or 1066 for overclocking to 3.2Ghz

[KingstonU]

This will be my first O.C. so doing some research. (AT OC guide is awesome btw). I will be getting either a Q9450 (8x333 multiplier) or Q9550 (8.5x333 multiplier). And I plan to overclock to around 3.2 Ghz on ASUS P5Q board.

Q9450: 8.0 x 400FSB = 3.2 GHz or Q9550: 8.5 x 376 FSB = 3.2 GHz

So If I want to OC the 9450 to 3.2 Ghz, I'll need 400 FSB x 2 = 800. So my RAM needs to be DDR2-800 (PC2-6400) Correct?

Is this enough or should I get higher to assure 3.2 Ghz like DDR2-1000 (PC2-8000)or DDR2-1066 (PC2-8500)

If I want to OC past 3.2 for the 9450 it's necessary to get 1000 or 1066 correct?


Also I'm going with XP not Vista so 2Gb. It's best to go 2 x 1Gb if they are Dual Channel then 1 x 2Gb correct? The vendors don't always list all the details as to weather they are Dual channel or not, but is it safe to assume they are all pretty much Dual Channel?

Finally which brands should I stay away from? Recommendations?

Very Appreciated, Thanks a lot.

 

[AmberClad]

You don't absolutely need DDR2-800 to get a 400MHz FSB, or DDR2-1000 to get higher than 400MHz FSB. You might be able to manage by overclocking lower speed RAM. In my case, I'm overclocking my DDR2-800 to DDR2-934 because I'm running a 467MHz FSB (with a bump in voltage of course).

If you want to play it safe and be guaranteed that the RAM you're getting will be able to keep up, then sure, get something that the manufacturer rates for DDR2-1000 / DDR2-1066.