DDR2 recommendations for AM2?

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
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I'm planning to upgrade my CPU (to 3600+x2) and my RAM (to DDR2-800) in about a week, and I was trying to decide which brand and model of DDR2 to buy, since many of the top brands are priced very low right now. I am currently using 2 GB of OCZ Gold at DDR2-622 with 3-4-3-10 rimings.

Here are my current considerations:

OCZ Platinum Rev. 2 DDR2-800 (CL4)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139

A-Data DDR2-800 (CL5)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 (CL5)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590

Patriot Extreme Performance DDR2-800 (CL5)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220174

Which one of these would you guys recommend for overclocking and long term reliability? I have a MSI K9N Platinum board that will allow RAM voltages up to 2.45V. I'm kinda leaning towards the OCZ (good service and support, good reliability) or the A-Data (low price and supposedly OCs very well).
 

rothchilds

Senior member
Jun 15, 2005
923
1
81
I'm using the Corsair in a core 2 duo setup, works well. I've used Corsair for the past 5 years, no problems ever, so I stick with it. Had 2 gigs on my 939 setup that ran like champions at tight timings and a decent overclock. I deviated one time to Patriot, they wouldn't OC like I needed, so I sold them and went back to Corsair. The OCZ seems good also, buyers choice I suppose
 

DrMrLordX

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
22,714
12,682
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http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85280

I got some of this stuff. The highest I've had it running before was DDR2-1130 or so (5-5-5-15 2T) but I'm betting it could go higher. The problem, however, is that obtaining such speeds required around 2.4v vdimm. You'd got to be really careful when overvolting memory on X2s and Athlon64s if you're going to be leaving the CPU's vcore alone. I made the mistake of leaving my CPU at 1.3v vcore while upping the vdimm to 2.4v to do a nice overclock with the 1:2 ratio. My CPU's integrated memory controller seems to have been stressed by the incident, so now it gets cranky running any ratio at all once the HTT speed goes past 295 or so. I have to increase vcore to get to behave, and even then, it's a bit wonky.

In other words, if you do plan on heavy memory overvolting, make sure you're overvolting the CPU as well. Running 1.5v or more through my CPU seemed to let me put the vdimm wherever I wanted it without negative consequences.
 

pioneercrazed

Golden Member
Dec 22, 2005
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Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231065

G.Skill HZ (Micron D9GMH IC) Will overclock beyond DDR2-1000 in almost all systems. $125 no rebate. These sticks are in my system now (can do DDR2-1000 at 2.25v 4-4-4-12) and they used to cost $350+ a few months back.

I can definitley recommend these... I've got a set in my 3600x2 rig running right now at DDR2-950 @ 2.1V... Not bad...
 

Gorrillasnot

Senior member
Mar 1, 2004
693
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Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231065

G.Skill HZ (Micron D9GMH IC) Will overclock beyond DDR2-1000 in almost all systems. $125 no rebate. These sticks are in my system now (can do DDR2-1000 at 2.25v 4-4-4-12) and they used to cost $350+ a few months back.

I think it ends soon, but there is also a $15 off coupon code for that G.Skill RAM. $109.98 shipped for 2 gigs of that is a very decent deal IMHO.