DDR2 and C2D (Conroe) I dont get the speed thing...

[EliteRetard]

Went and preordered a processor...expected it to take longer to get here, but it showed up and now Im wondering what to do with it. Ive decided Im gonna build a budget system and hold off untill next year when DX10 and the new video cards are out (yeah I know whyd I order then? I dont know...I keep hitting myself for it. But I got the chip for 330$ shipped). I figured Id grab a cheap integrated video mobo for the 6600 (are there any?) Ive got the opticals and the HDD case and PSU, so I was wondering on the MOBO but more importantly which RAM? I dont want the cheapest just because, Im expecting to move the RAM over to the new system later. I also dont see the reason to go 1066 cause thats twice the price of the 800. But then there are all these ratios and OCin and all kinds of crazy ****** and I dont get it. How do I know what speed RAM I need? I can get a 2GB set of the 800 for like 200$ which isnt to bad, the 667 is like 40$ cheaper and the 533 is the same price as far as I can tell. So anywho, can anyone explain in english WTF is going on? I remeber the days of good ol DDR. One speed, one RAM, one price, that was it.

 

[Dragoon42]

lol if you're not overclocking the 533 should be fine

 

[Baked]

C2D's default bus speed is 266, which uses DDR2 533 RAM. If you don't OC, DDR2 533 is plenty.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Baked
C2D's default bus speed is 266, which uses DDR2 533 RAM. If you don't OC, DDR2 533 is plenty.

I agree, but DDR2-600 and higher would allow for lower latency with out overclocking. Quite often the price differance is never that great.

 

[fire400]

if you want speed get the 800 stuff will still oc well

otherwise 500-700 speeds are good enough for just about anything with OC

gaming ram will be the best option however

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: fire400
if you want speed get the 800 stuff will still oc well

otherwise 500-700 speeds are good enough for just about anything with OC

gaming ram will be the best option however

THe cost differance between gaming ram and standard ram is almost 200% but the performance margins are usualy 1%.

http://tinyurl.com/z39w3

 

[myocardia]

Just buy either the 667 or the 800. It doesn't cost much more, and you will decide to try your hand at overclocking your new C2D. Plus, you'll get better performance while you aren't overclocing.

 

[fire400]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: fire400
if you want speed get the 800 stuff will still oc well

otherwise 500-700 speeds are good enough for just about anything with OC

gaming ram will be the best option however

THe cost differance between gaming ram and standard ram is almost 200% but the performance margins are usualy 1%.

http://tinyurl.com/z39w3

I just read the Op's post again. Sounds like he's breaking the bank.

you will still get solid performance with Value RAM.

=

gaming RAM has more potential for overclocking. but you have to be smart and make sure that every MHz is matched by performance gains with all of your other hardware, otherwise it would just be a waste.

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2800&p=9

 

[EliteRetard]

Sorry for the slow response...

Anyway, I see no reason to do 533 as the 667 is the same cost, and it seems to have sales more frequently. I can always drop the clock speed for lower latency and stuff (I think...I have no clue what Im doing). I might also go for DDR2 800...if I can find some on sale. Seems like just a month ago every known brand on the planet was having massive sales on the stuff and you could get a 2GB kit of the 800MHz for like 140$. Is that still the case? Basically I think Im gonna go for either the 667 or 800 just depending on which one is on sale and/or provides the best value. So I wonder, what if Im not OCin and I still run the RAM at a higher speed? Does that slow the computer down?

And anyone got any specific reccomendations? And how about a cheap MOBO/graphics solution? Are there any C2D MOBOs with integrated graphics yet? Those parts are basically trash and are gonna get tossed when the next video cards are out and I decide which I want (since the damn video cards cost more than the rest of the entire system Ill let them be the determining factor)

 

[R3MF]

this is a bit of a headache.

the price of DDR2 has gone thru the roof in the UK as a result of the back to school buying season.

when does this end, and when xcan we expect the price to normalise?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Here's a whole list of C2D mobos with onboard video.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Googer
THe cost differance between gaming ram and standard ram is almost 200% but the performance margins are usualy 1%.

http://tinyurl.com/z39w3

Comparison reviews are nice, but when they don't test on AMD AND Intel platforms, they are irritating. :roll:
And why not toss in a few encoding benchmark tests?

 

[EliteRetard]

Wow 50$...any reccomends on which of the 3 50$ MOBOs may be the best? How are those unichrome "graphics"? Or would it be better to get a slightly more expensive board? Does anyone have any idea the performance comparison between integrated graphics chips? If it can play the games, even at 800x600 and minimum everything thats cool. This one is actually going to a freind for a while...hes down in hicksville with a 28.8 internet connection. If that speed can allow him to play WOW Im sure thats all hell be doing. If not then hes gonna be just checking email and doing homework on it. Maybe some older single player games like diablo or dungeon seige or something. You think it could handle morrowind? I think the game blows ass and has horrid controls so I figure he can have it. Again, when DX10 and the new video cards are out it gets a new MOBO PSU and video cards. Oh and if the MOBO says it only supports DDR2 533 then can I even put 667 or 800 in it? Cause thats what Im gonna buy.