first overclock..memory questions

[imported_pez]

Im about ONE click to sending my order to newegg

Athlon 64 - 3000+ Venice
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultr
SAPPHIRE 100107L-BL Radeon X800 256MB
2x512 memory (dont know brand?)
Zalman 7700

i want to hit around 2.5ghz on this chip, now what memory would be able to achieve this?
i was thinking corsair value select 2x512, but i am afraid it will limit the OC and not be able to hit 2.5ghz, will upgrading to XMS help me achieve this?

i like things to load QUICK, is there better ram out there for roughly the same price?
i know lower timings=faster, but thats about all i know about ram and overclocking.

what about OCZ? anandtechs review on the 3000+ used that ram, thanks for any help

 

[Furen]

it depends on how much you want to spend. I actually prefer crucial over corsair value ram, but that's just me. You'll need an HTT of 277 so only very good ram will be able to do it 1:1. If you dont mind using a divider, then I'd get either value ram (cas 2.5) or something midrange (2-3-3 stuff would probably be ok).

 

[imported_pez]

is sing divider a bad thing? any big risks? i see people using dividers 166 133 speeds and it seems fine?

 

[Furen]

no risk at all, it's actually "safer" since you'll be running the ram at lower clock speeds.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: Furen
no risk at all, it's actually "safer" since you'll be running the ram at lower clock speeds.

Yeh.

Just get the ValueSelect and used the saved money on cooling.

Edit:

CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultr

I have a feeling your board will limit your overclock anyways. Stick with the ValueSelect. Or upgrade to the EPOX board if you really want to overclock (2nd best overclocker, next to the DFI).

Also ditch the 7700 and get the XP90 + a Panaflo L1A

So instead of:
Athlon 64 - 3000+ Venice
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultr
SAPPHIRE 100107L-BL Radeon X800 256MB
2x512 memory (dont know brand?)
Zalman 7700

Try:

Athlon 64 - 3000+ Venice
EPOX 9NPA+ Ultra
SAPPHIRE 100107L-BL Radeon X800 256MB
2x512MB Corsair ValueSelect
XP90 + Panaflo L1A

I've heard people hit 2.7-2.8 easily with that setup.


Edit2: You said that "You like to load things quick." Well, faster RAM makes a 1-2% difference over value RAM. In the case of RAM, you want more RAM as opposed to LL (Low Latency) RAM. But 1 GB should be fine, unless you want to play BF2 on all High settings (in this case you'd need 2 gigs)

Good luck,
-TPG