DO LED's on RAM have any downsides?

[Rhin0]

hey guys,

I was set on the OCZ 3200 Plat. Rev. 2 since I know it is great stuff. But I am looking more at Corsair now. I may get a Twin pack of the XMS Pro XL with 2-2-2-5 timings. Anyway I have never had RAM with LED's but it looks cool enough I guess. So is there any downside with power draw or extra voltage needed or heat with these LEDs? This will be 512x2 for dual channel.

I may forego getting the Twin pack if the cost is that much more and just get two of the same stick. It is nice to know they were tested together though don't you think?


-Also not sure if the aggresive timings are worth the extra money or not? I think I can get a little less aggresive timings and save some money. I am not going to be overclocking. Will I notice a difference in peformanec in ANYTHING with the slower timings?


Thanks
Rhin0

 

[jpeyton]

I am not going to be overclocking.

Do yourself a favor and get two 512MB sticks of Corsair Value Select for $150 from Newegg. At stock speeds, the LL memory will not make much difference.

 

[Stangs55]

Back up and go w/the OCZ Plat rev2's. Compare some of my benches at stock w/the OCZ's (see sig) to some of the online FX-55 reviews--alot of them used the corsair mem you're refering to. I came out a considerable amount ahead w/o oc'ing.

And as for the lcd's, yea...you'll need to upgrade your psu by at lead 50W to account for the shear power drainage these little lights pull!

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: Stangs55
Back up and go w/the OCZ Plat rev2's. Compare some of my benches at stock w/the OCZ's (see sig) to some of the online FX-55 reviews--alot of them used the corsair mem you're refering to. I came out a considerable amount ahead w/o oc'ing.

And as for the lcd's, yea...you'll need to upgrade your psu by at lead 50W to account for the shear power drainage these little lights pull!

On the LED's I meant power pulled from the RAM slot, LEDs are efficient if I understand correctly. That is why they make great little flashlight keychains....


Stangs,

Do you really think the OCZ offers increased scores and framerates?

What would you attribute this to?

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

I am not going to be overclocking.

Do yourself a favor and get two 512MB sticks of Corsair Value Select for $150 from Newegg. At stock speeds, the LL memory will not make much difference.

I'm trying not to cut any corners here. If it really won't make that much of a difference i'm might just get the Crucial micron since it works fine in everything I have seen so far and it is cheap. I'm not talking Ballistix either

 

[Rhin0]

Guys,

Whats the difference in these? Why the huge price difference? (They are expensive to begin with I know)





1.) http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-524&depa=1

CORSAIR XMS, Xtra-Low Latency 2-2-2-5, 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Model TWINX1024-3200XLPRO - Retail


Model# TWINX1024-3200XLPRO
Item # N82E16820145524
Specifications:
Manufacturer: CORSAIR
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-2-2-5
Support Voltage: 2.75V
Special Features: Plug-n-FragTM Auto-Configuration - Boots automatically using the Xtra-Low latency values of 2-2-2-5, 18 activity LED's show level of memory activity




2.) http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-474&depa=1

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Pro Series, Low Latency (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200PRO - Retail

Model# TWINX1024-3200LLPRO
Item # N82E16820145474
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Corsair
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-3-2-6
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: New high-efficiency aluminum XMS heatsink, 18 activity LED'S show level of memory activity




Is 2-3-2-6 a better timing or something? Can you explain easily about the timings? Smaller is better or closer together is better? I can't see why the price is so much higher. Maybe i'm missing something simple.

 

[Stangs55]

Originally posted by: Rhin0

Stangs,

Do you really think the OCZ offers increased scores and framerates?

What would you attribute this to?

AMD systems benefit from lower timings more than Intel rig's will. @ 2-2-2-5, the OCZ can't get much lower. As for what SPECIFICALLY I attribute the difference to....I'm not that tech-savvy to get into specifics. I just know that OCZ makes the best RAM, imho. Especially if you plan on doing any oc'ing.

Edit: Do some googling for some FX-55 reviews and you'll come up w/some systems that are almost identical to mine, sans a component or two. Then compare my Sandra2004 scores -> these rely heavily on the cpu + ram.

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: Stangs55

Originally posted by: Rhin0

Stangs,

Do you really think the OCZ offers increased scores and framerates?

What would you attribute this to?

AMD systems benefit from lower timings more than Intel rig's will. @ 2-2-2-5, the OCZ can't get much lower. As for what SPECIFICALLY I attribute the difference to....I'm not that tech-savvy to get into specifics. I just know that OCZ makes the best RAM, imho. Especially if you plan on doing any oc'ing.

Edit: Do some googling for some FX-55 reviews and you'll come up w/some systems that are almost identical to mine, sans a component or two. Then compare my Sandra2004 scores -> these rely heavily on the cpu + ram.

Will do, i'll check out the AT and FS Fx-55 reviews. I just don't see how the OCZ could be any faster than the Corsair. They are both 2-2-2-5 timings. But you are making me wonder though. I wanted those damn little LED's but I won't sacrifice noticeable peformance.

I just wonder why that one corsair is so much more expensive? 350 bucks vs 275? wtf





The OCZ is 274.75 and the Corsair XMS XL PRO with LED's is 275.00 so price wise they are the same....

 

[Rhin0]

Stangs,

I am looking at a good review on Firingsquad and they are using the corsair. The numbers on the Sandra aren't even close they are off by 50%. Am I looking at the wrong thing?


The PCmark though was close the Mem test was higher than yours using corsair XMS pro



let me know what you think... take a look:


http://www.firingsquad.com/har...64_fx55_4000/page6.asp

 

[jpeyton]

Well, if you're not going to overclock but still want low latencies, try this: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-220-006&depa=0

They are rated at 2-3-2-5 T1 at 2.6V, and will probably do 2-2-2-5 T1 at 2.8V.

And it's only $187.

I wouldn't exactly call that cutting corners, but I urge you to think twice about paying ~$300 for memory that you will not be overclocking with. Stangs is right when he said lower latencies will increase performance. The problem is that you're choosing RAM that is really meant for overclocking; when running at stock speeds, the PDP running at 2-2-2-5 vs. any other brand running at 2-2-2-5 will be indistinguishable performance-wise.

 

[Stangs55]

Originally posted by: Rhin0
Stangs,

I am looking at a good review on Firingsquad and they are using the corsair. The numbers on the Sandra aren't even close they are off by 50%. Am I looking at the wrong thing?

The Futuremark were way off too...


The PCmark though was close the Mem test was higher than yours using corsair XMS pro



let me know what you think... take a look:


http://www.firingsquad.com/har...64_fx55_4000/page6.asp

Honestly, I don't have a clue what the differences btw the Sandra mem tests and the PCMark04 mem tests are. But there's definatly a gap btw both!

Basically, it came down to all the amazing reviews I read when I made my decision. Here are a couple I can remember:
http://www.pcstats.com/article...icleid=1570&page=1
http://www.3dgameman.com/vr/oc...2/video_review_02.html
http://www.anandtech.com/memor...c.aspx?i=2145&p=12
-"Nothing else here comes close to the range demonstrated by OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev. 2."
-"It is with great pleasure that we award the Gold Editors Choice to OCZ for the outstanding performance of OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev. 2 memory. This OCZ memory stands head and shoulders above the other memory tested in this roundup that are based on the same memory chips. OCZ PC3200 Platinum Revision 2 overclocked 10% higher than it's nearest rival, reaching an amazing 40% overclock on a memory rated at DDR400. Performance at DDR400 was outstanding and Platinum Rev. 2 reached the highest memory speeds achieved with any DDR400 2-2-2 memory tested in this roundup. "
-Anandtech Editor's Choice

 

[Sunner]

Why do you want the LED's?
They might be fun for the first few minutes, then the "wow" factor will wear off, and you'll be wondering why you spent money on that rather than something useful.

If you're not going to be overclocking, just go with some Crucial, 2x91$ on their site, a good reputable brand, and you can spend the money saved on a better graphics card where you might actually notice the difference.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Rhin0
hey guys,

I was set on the OCZ 3200 Plat. Rev. 2 since I know it is great stuff. But I am looking more at Corsair now. I may get a Twin pack of the XMS Pro XL with 2-2-2-5 timings. Anyway I have never had RAM with LED's but it looks cool enough I guess. So is there any downside with power draw or extra voltage needed or heat with these LEDs? This will be 512x2 for dual channel.

I may forego getting the Twin pack if the cost is that much more and just get two of the same stick. It is nice to know they were tested together though don't you think?


-Also not sure if the aggresive timings are worth the extra money or not? I think I can get a little less aggresive timings and save some money. I am not going to be overclocking. Will I notice a difference in peformanec in ANYTHING with the slower timings?


Thanks
Rhin0

Absolutely NOT. But DO buy good quality memory.

 

[Rhin0]

Stangs,

I appreciate your help in this, I really do. Thanks for taking the time. I'll go through those reviews. As for those reviews I believe you on your test results... Those reviews must have a difference piece of hardware that is slower than what you have in your machine or something either that or a combination of a couple that make the difference. I just checked and this is weird but the Corsair CMX512 3200XLPRO is $153.27 a stick and that would be about $307 if I bought two. The dual channel kit (3200XLPRO) is only $275.00. That is strange I though for sure they'd charge more. They are both 2-2-2-5 though...

They are both obviously good choices. I guess i'll just have to think about it for a while. I'll go through all the information and make an informed choice. I can't say that the LED's are cool though, they will play a part in my choice I think. If I didn't have a window in the Tsunami case i'm getting i'd definately get the OCZ for sure. Like that one review says though the big deal about the OCZ is how well it overclocks. I won't be overclocking at all and I really don't see how the OCZ is going to peform that much better than the Corsair XMS framerate or score wise in tests especially since they both have the same ratings basically. If the timings were a lot difference I could see then...


Still don't understand why the 3-3-3-6 ram is more expensive than the 2-2-2-5 though? In those links I posted.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Sunner
Why do you want the LED's?
They might be fun for the first few minutes, then the "wow" factor will wear off, and you'll be wondering why you spent money on that rather than something useful.

If you're not going to be overclocking, just go with some Crucial, 2x91$ on their site, a good reputable brand, and you can spend the money saved on a better graphics card where you might actually notice the difference.

Listen to the man Rhin0!

You can bling out the interior of your case in other ways, besides spending $125 extra on memory just for some LEDs.

 

[Blain]

Buy This 1GB Dual Channel CL2 kit for $185 shipped and forget about it.
Memory-Up is a great vendor. :laugh:

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Sunner
Why do you want the LED's?
They might be fun for the first few minutes, then the "wow" factor will wear off, and you'll be wondering why you spent money on that rather than something useful.

If you're not going to be overclocking, just go with some Crucial, 2x91$ on their site, a good reputable brand, and you can spend the money saved on a better graphics card where you might actually notice the difference.

Listen to the man Rhin0!

You can bling out the interior of your case in other ways, besides spending $125 extra on memory just for some LEDs.

I am not writing him off trust me. I looked up prices on the Crucial Micro and the Corsair Value select and wrote them down. I think i'd probably go with the Crucial micro normal stuff over the Corsair VS.



he is right about the bling factor... I am getting a ASUS 6800 Ultra video card, not sure how the video card performance could get much better than that. But I am going to make a big list of prices on different components and from different places and then figure it all out.





It is just so hard to find a place that has fair prices across the board. Seems like one place will have a good price on one thing and have a huge markup overprice on something else. I guess that is how they get you?

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: Blain
Buy This 1GB Dual Channel CL2 kit for $185 shipped and forget about it.
Memory-Up is a great vendor. :laugh:

That is cheap!


Blain,
Can you give me a quick lesson on the timings really quick? I know they are for the read and write cycles of the ram and how they have to clear and all. But what numbers are actually better?

And you sound technical so maybe you can tell me why the cost difference in these? not that I am for sure buying either, definately wouldn't the buy the 350 dollar one. Just tell me if you can find the difference please....



1.) http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-524&depa=1

CORSAIR XMS, Xtra-Low Latency 2-2-2-5, 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Model TWINX1024-3200XLPRO - Retail


Model# TWINX1024-3200XLPRO
Item # N82E16820145524
Specifications:
Manufacturer: CORSAIR
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-2-2-5
Support Voltage: 2.75V
Special Features: Plug-n-FragTM Auto-Configuration - Boots automatically using the Xtra-Low latency values of 2-2-2-5, 18 activity LED's show level of memory activity




2.) http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-474&depa=1

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Pro Series, Low Latency (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200PRO - Retail

Model# TWINX1024-3200LLPRO
Item # N82E16820145474
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Corsair
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-3-2-6
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: New high-efficiency aluminum XMS heatsink, 18 activity LED'S show level of memory activity

 

[Blain]

The lower the better!

 

[Stangs55]

Originally posted by: Rhin0
Stangs,

I appreciate your help in this, I really do. Thanks for taking the time. I'll go through those reviews. As for those reviews I believe you on your test results... Those reviews must have a difference piece of hardware that is slower than what you have in your machine or something either that or a combination of a couple that make the difference. I just checked and this is weird but the Corsair CMX512 3200XLPRO is $153.27 a stick and that would be about $307 if I bought two. The dual channel kit (3200XLPRO) is only $275.00. That is strange I though for sure they'd charge more. They are both 2-2-2-5 though...

They are both obviously good choices. I guess i'll just have to think about it for a while. I'll go through all the information and make an informed choice. I can't say that the LED's are cool though, they will play a part in my choice I think. If I didn't have a window in the Tsunami case i'm getting i'd definately get the OCZ for sure. Like that one review says though the big deal about the OCZ is how well it overclocks. I won't be overclocking at all and I really don't see how the OCZ is going to peform that much better than the Corsair XMS framerate or score wise in tests especially since they both have the same ratings basically. If the timings were a lot difference I could see then...


Still don't understand why the 3-3-3-6 ram is more expensive than the 2-2-2-5 though? In those links I posted.

np.
I'm going to have to agree w/the other fella's about the dwindling attractiveness of led's. I have the exact same case you do (tsunami dream w/window) and I don't think that my rig looks any less cool w/o the led's. In fact, I only added a red cold cathode to the bottom of the case to compliment the blue led fan and I am SO happy w/the results. (check out my pics for the final product). I'm now actually glad that I don't have led's b/c I think that they would cheapen the look of my case and detract from it's glow. But that's my small opinion. You might be in love w/led's...and if you are, then I say go for it.

Either way, you're on the right track. Good luck w/the new rig and keep up posted.

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: Stangs55

Originally posted by: Rhin0
Stangs,

I appreciate your help in this, I really do. Thanks for taking the time. I'll go through those reviews. As for those reviews I believe you on your test results... Those reviews must have a difference piece of hardware that is slower than what you have in your machine or something either that or a combination of a couple that make the difference. I just checked and this is weird but the Corsair CMX512 3200XLPRO is $153.27 a stick and that would be about $307 if I bought two. The dual channel kit (3200XLPRO) is only $275.00. That is strange I though for sure they'd charge more. They are both 2-2-2-5 though...

They are both obviously good choices. I guess i'll just have to think about it for a while. I'll go through all the information and make an informed choice. I can't say that the LED's are cool though, they will play a part in my choice I think. If I didn't have a window in the Tsunami case i'm getting i'd definately get the OCZ for sure. Like that one review says though the big deal about the OCZ is how well it overclocks. I won't be overclocking at all and I really don't see how the OCZ is going to peform that much better than the Corsair XMS framerate or score wise in tests especially since they both have the same ratings basically. If the timings were a lot difference I could see then...


Still don't understand why the 3-3-3-6 ram is more expensive than the 2-2-2-5 though? In those links I posted.

np.
I'm going to have to agree w/the other fella's about the dwindling attractiveness of led's. I have the exact same case you do (tsunami dream w/window) and I don't think that my rig looks any less cool w/o the led's. In fact, I only added a red cold cathode to the bottom of the case to compliment the blue led fan and I am SO happy w/the results. (check out my pics for the final product). I'm now actually glad that I don't have led's b/c I think that they would cheapen the look of my case and detract from it's glow. But that's my small opinion. You might be in love w/led's...and if you are, then I say go for it.

Either way, you're on the right track. Good luck w/the new rig and keep up posted.

Actually Stangs, like I said I am not for sure getting RAM with LED's I may still get Crucial or even what Blain suggested.

And yes I specifically went tonight and looked at your pics again and I am starting to think more the LED's wouldn't look exactly right in there since there will be blue in there. Hell, you might not even be able to see them for that matter. I like your red thing but I might actually add a blue one down there instead of your red. Or I could put a red and a blue and depending on which color I want on turn it on...


Which brand cold cathode did you use? Are some brands a lot better than others? I have no experience with them at all....



just wanted to thank everyone for the help again, if you have anything else to add please by all means do so!

 

[Stangs55]

Cold cathodes are cold cathodes...no real difference in brands. (In fact, most places won't even list a brand).

I got mine from here:
http://www.xoxide.com/coldcathodes.html

Specifically:
http://www.xoxide.com/coldcathodered.html

 

[Rhin0]

LOL

still can't figure out why:

Manufacturer: Corsair
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-3-2-6
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: New high-efficiency aluminum XMS heatsink, 18 activity LED'S show level of memory activity


is 75 dollars more than:

Manufacturer: CORSAIR
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-2-2-5
Support Voltage: 2.75V
Special Features: Plug-n-FragTM Auto-Configuration - Boots automatically using the Xtra-Low latency values of 2-2-2-5, 18 activity LED's show level of memory activity



i'd like an explanation if anyone has one. I see they tweaked voltage settings to achieve something, don't know fi that would matter?

 

[jpeyton]

Check out SVC.com if you want case cooling and blinging materials.

They have a few different brands of CCFLs, lighted fans, UV sensitive everything...

Jab-Tech.com is also another sweet vendor. I bought UV Red molexes, PSU wire sleeves, and slot covers from them.

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Check out SVC.com if you want case cooling and blinging materials.

They have a few different brands of CCFLs, lighted fans, UV sensitive everything...

Jab-Tech.com is also another sweet vendor. I bought UV Red molexes, PSU wire sleeves, and slot covers from them.

thanks guys

i'll check those out.

I'm not lookign to go overboard with the "bling" I just wanted it to look nice, which is does already. I may not add anything