E8400 OC - buying memory - questions.

[darqice]

So this may be taking things to far, but humor me...

Short version: I'm getting E8400 + P5Q-E, and looking for 3.6-4.0 GHZ OC. If I want to run my memory @ 900mhz, am I better off getting PC1066 and running it @ slower speeds/tighter timings. Or higher quality PC-800 and overclocking.

IE - this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145194
vs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227298

Or any thing else that's better and a good value?

To get my memory @ 900Mhz, is it better to overclock DDR-800, or underclock DDR-1066.

Thanks!


--------------
Long version:

I read the anandtech article on Trd and figure these are my options (e8400 = locked multiplier @ 9.):

3.6ghz = 9 x 400fsb - memory @ 1:1 = DDR-800 - Trd = 6
3.6ghz = 9 x 400fsb - memory @ 5:4 = DDR1000 - Trd = 5 (better)

or if I can get here:

4.0ghz = 9 x 450fsb - memory @ 1:1 = DDR-900 - trd = 7
4.0ghz = 9 x 450fsb - memory @ 6:5 = DDR-1080 - trd = 6 (better)

So I may only need up to DDR-900 even for 4.0 ghz. But higher memory MHZ would get me a lower Trd. So the age old - tight timings, vs higher frequency? - what memory to buy.

ty.

 

[Tempered81]

1066

 

[n7]

You won't get a TRD as low as you've listed just FYI.

1:1 on P5Qs requires a lot looser tRD.

But regardless, i'd go with this option:

4.0ghz = 9 x 450fsb - memory @ 6:5 = DDR-1080 - trd = 6 (better)

 

[heymrdj]

Go 1066 ram, not like you're breaking the bank for it.

 

[Phew]

Check out DDR2-1000. It's closer in price to DDR2-800 than 1066, but it would still let you OC that CPU to 4.5 GHz with 1:1 memory.

NEWEGG LINK

There is also some OCZ DDR2-1000 for like $50 AR, but OCZ RAM is a mixed bag.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I tend to back away from "highest over-clock" settings, although I explore them.

I think my "experience" with memory kits continues to grow after five years working with three generational "types" of RAM.

My strategy has been always to find a happy medium between latency settings, warranty voltage limits, and speed, choosing 1:1 CPU-to-RAM ratio whenever possible.

And per the question about "overclocking 800 versus underclocking 1000+ RAM, my experience tells me that it depends on the model and make, and the characteristics deriving therefrom.

I've found one 4GB DDR2-1000 kit that underclocks well in the 800 and higher range while allowing for tighter-than-spec latency settings. I've found another 4GB DDR2-800 kit that is spec'd at a "recommended voltage" but is warrantied to 0.1V above recommended, which over-clocks well in the 800 to 900 range at latencies equal to or below the DDR2-800 factory-recommended.

I've had "performance" memory spec'd at high speeds relative to its generation, "type" and market, which does not run at tighter latencies at lower speeds. And I've had "standard-spec" memory with tight latencies which over-clocks to between 8% and 20% above the spec using the same latencies and voltage below warranty maximum-recommended.

 

[brencat]

OP, out of the two links you posted, the Corsair DHX without a doubt, even though they're only DDR2-800. You may have to loosen timings to 5-5-5-15 but the upside is that you'll be able to get away with lower vDIMM too...perhaps only 1.90 - 1.95v tops. I'm not a fan of OCZ RAM