Going Insane (Schitzofrenic Memory Opinions)

[SNB]

Dont know if I should post here or go straight to the ward, but here is my deal:

I got this computer:
Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe Motherboard
AMD A64 3500+ CPU
WaterCooling
GeForce 6600GT (Gainward, GLH, 1.6ns)
Audigy 4 Pro

Now, as you can see im missing memory, currently having a no-good type of ram not very good for what I want to do: Overclock my computer through the roof.

Therefor, I went looking on tests and asking friends for advice:
Whats the best RAM for me, who wants to do overclock my CPU to the limit, answere was not easy:
I ended up with 10 diffrent types of RAM that they told me to buy, that begin said and me begin a newbie:
I got very confused!

So, Now I hope that you guys would be able to help me out abit here with choosing the best RAM for my computer, here are some criterias:

RAM must not be the bottleneck in overclocking (I want the CPU to hit the wall)
Price is not a factor
1024mb
No Price/Value things.


Hope you guys can help me out and save me from this confusion

 

[Appledrop]

hrm if price is not a factor why u not get a 6800gt/U

 

[Dough1397]

ocz el plat 3200 rev 2

supposedly the best.... for a gig i beleive is 250+ (USD)

 

[CheesePoofs]

OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev. 2. I can't guarentee that that memory won't be the bottleneck for your OC if you run the ram at 1:1, but its the best OCing ram out there from what i've heard about it. Get 2 512mb sticks and you have 1024 mb of ram.

If you begin to think the mem is stopping your cpu OC, you can just turn down the memory ratio, making the ram run slower than the FSB, and keep on overclocking the CPU.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Why not value RAM. Take a look at Zebos memory tests. Value RAM does just as good as the LL RAM.

Dont waste your money. THe only advantage MIGHT be OCing.

-Kevin

 

[SNB]

the only problem I see with the PC3200 RAM, atleast after the tests I've read, is that it will stop around DDR500/250mhz.

I belive I should be able to run my CPU more than that, hence it would bottleneck my system..
Meaning id need something abit faster, I was thinking PC3500+, any opinions on that?

I Plan to OC 1:1

 

[ts3433]

If you must OC 1:1 (and, as Zebo's tests stickied to the top of this forum show, notice no difference unless you exclusively play synthetic benchmocks like Sandra at all your LANs), try some TCCD (Patriot XBL, G.skill PC4400, OCZ Platinum Revision 2) or Micron G (Crucial Ballistix).

 

[SNB]

Hmm, cant seem to find any shops that sell Patriot XBL in Norway, nor OCZ Plat Rev 2 (PC4400)

Can only find a Gold Revision.. Specialy made for Intel..

 

[ts3433]

For memory with TCCD chips, look for stuff that is rated for 2-2-2-5 @ PC3200. The exact same chips are often used in memory rated for PC4400 @ something like 2.5-4-4-10. I think Corsair also has some offerings with TCCD, if you're seriously looking to spend that kind of money on RAM ("overclockers' memory" goes for about 220-280 USD here for 2x512MB, while we can get Corsair/Crucial/Mushkin value RAM for 140 USD for 2x512MB, while still seeing virtually the same performance on an A64).

 

[zakee00]

G.skill PC440
that is some AMAZING stuff, ive seen people pump like 3.3V into it and watch'er fly .
if you are obsessed with getting the best OC, i would look into getting the OCZ DDR Boster. Google it and read up.

 

[SNB]

Hmm, not bad, after abit thinking and discussion I've come up with 3 "possible" ram types:

OCZ 1024MB Dual Channel Platinum Edition
- PC-3700 2x512MB (2-3-3-8) 466Mhz E.L.

OCZ 1024MB Dual Channel Platinum Ed. R-2
- PC-3200 2x512MB (2-2-2-5) 400Mhz E.L.

Corsair TWINX1024-3200XLPRO DDR 1024MB Kit w/two matched 512MB 3200XL PRO's DIM
(Didn't say timeing but I guess its 2-2-2-5..)

All within the 220-280USD range [well more like 300-350$ in Norway, but]
Which would work best for me? Reading abit up I saw you said 1:1 OC doesn't have any benefit on overclocking? I was thinking 1:1 for stability, but if thats no big issue, I might turn down the memory ratio

 

[ts3433]

I don't see how running 1:1 on an overclock would change your stability versus running a divider.

 

[SNB]

Hehe, ok, well there ya see what I was told on other forums ^^

Anyways, what would you choose?

 

[zakee00]

if you are dead set on those three, i would prolly say:
OCZ 1024MB Dual Channel Platinum Edition
- PC-3700 2x512MB (2-3-3-8) 466Mhz E.L.
i would look into the g.skill...

 

[ts3433]

My choice would be something like this (or two of the individual sticks if it's cheaper that way in Norway), but I know the OCZ Platinum Revision 2 (2-2-2-5 @ 200MHz) you have listed up there is good too.

 

[SNB]

Thanks for advice, I think ill go with the OCZ PC3700 then

I would like to see G.Skill memory too, but afraid I cant find any shops in Norway selling them, doubth any shops are international on hardware and ships fast enough either :S

 

[JP215]

Originally posted by: SNB
Thanks for advice, I think ill go with the OCZ PC3700 then

I would like to see G.Skill memory too, but afraid I cant find any shops in Norway selling them, doubth any shops are international on hardware and ships fast enough either :S

Something you might find interesting before any of you guys decide to mess with the multiplier is this article I read the other day.


A64 Overclocking Tips with specific references to mem ratios

In that article it links you to a useful chart as well showing you what you are really running your memory at when you reduce it from a 1:1 ratio.

Cheers

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Unless future bios revisions address the issues. The A8N-SLI will not run stable with memory speed greater than 240-245 with 1T command rate, and at 2T the performance hit is larger than the higher ram speed can offset. I am using the OCZ EL PC3200 and it works perfectly with ultra low timings, but my ram will go higher than this board will currently support.

Hopefully a bios revision will fix this, if not high speed ram is not a wize choice. I think any PC3200 based on the Samsung TCCD is currently optimum for this board.

 

[SNB]

Hmm, yeah heard bout that myself, but there will prolly be a BIOS fix, because 240-245 sounds unrealisticaly low

Hopefully there will be a UberBIOS for this motherboard like with nForce 2(and 3?)