I need to order memory

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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
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I just ordered an e8500 and a ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard.

I'm going to run XP Pro, so I think 2g is ok.

Any suggestions for what specific memory I need to order?
Any special deals now on something good?

this

or
cheaper
kingstonkingston

still as good?
or do you suggest something else?

thanks!!

 
Denithor

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
81
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $40

Memory is so cheap today, just buy 4GB and be done with it. Sure, you can only use 3.25GB...but that extra 1.25GB will help significantly if you run memory-intensive apps that need more available system memory (some games, Photoshop, etc).
 
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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
767
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76

Not being super technical... Is there something special about these Corsair chips?
I was told to get 1.8v chips, and these are 2.4
Can anyone shed some light?

Or should I just buy the Gskill 4g above and be done with it?
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
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71
Are you planning to overclock?

If not, there's no real reason to worry about latency on a Core2 system. Even then, there's not much reason to worry about it for most people.

Just get the 2x2GB of 1.8V stuff.
 
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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
767
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Originally posted by: DSF
Are you planning to overclock?

If not, there's no real reason to worry about latency on a Core2 system. Even then, there's not much reason to worry about it for most people.
Click to expand...

I might overclock a *little* because I keep reading how well this e8500 processor overclocks, so I may be tempted, but I know very little about overclocking.

Will these 2x2 1.8 will overclock some, but not quite as much stable?
Is that the general idea of that more expensive memory?
 
1

18 Is Number 1

Member
Sep 22, 2008
108
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GSkill bins their ICs very aggressively. There is frequently little overhead room to OC them. I would suggest a different brand or a faster speed of GSkill.
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Considering that your overclocking will be mild, I disagree with 18 Is Number 1 here.

The multiplier on an E8500 is 9.5. Even if your DDR2-800 doesn't overclock well at all, you're still guaranteed to be able to run them on a 400MHz FSB. With the 9.5 multiplier, that means you could get your E8500 up to 3.8GHz without worrying about overclocking your memory. (Assuming that your motherboard and chip are stable at that FSB speed.)
 
Denithor

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
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CAS timings have virtually zero impact on C2D performance (don't make me dig up benchmarks, I'm lazy). Memory speed has a very slight impact, mostly in the form of overclocking limitations (IE if your memory won't go beyond 400 and your chip will, you'll be slightly limited).

If you plan to push that e8500 above 3.8GHz go with this G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1000 for $45 shipped.

Honestly though, the DDR2-800 will probably do 900-1000 speed (450-500fsb) with a little extra voltage (2-2.1V, the same as the DDR2-1000 memory requires).

More memory (even if slower) will always trump faster memory if you happen to run an application that needs more than you install. If you throw in 2GB and run Photoshop or some games (Oblivion with one of the high texture mods, etc) you're going to slow down as the system has to use virtual memory on the hdd when it runs out of RAM.
 
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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
767
0
76

$45 sounds reasonable for the insurance it provides. Have no idea if I'd over clock, but in a year when my system feels slow, maybe I would be sorry If I'm not able to.

My system now is RDRAM, so I've been limping at 512 for ages. 4 meg will be quite a luxury.
 
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Fallengod

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
5,908
19
81
Thats a pretty sick price for pc2-8000 gskill. I probably woulda gotten that for myself instead of the $15AR pc2-6400 corsair if I knew that was there.
 
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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
767
0
76
The 800's are 1.9-1.9, and the 1000's say 2.0 to 2.1

Does that make any difference to me?

Reading around the net it seems like I should get the lower voltage ones as they will better match the desired voltage.
(or do I get the faster ones, since they are the same price?)

I'm a bit confused..
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Originally posted by: dbarton
The 800's are 1.9-1.9, and the 1000's say 2.0 to 2.1

Does that make any difference to me?

Reading around the net it seems like I should get the lower voltage ones as they will better match the desired voltage.
(or do I get the faster ones, since they are the same price?)

I'm a bit confused..
Click to expand...

If you're comfortable setting the voltage yourself, it shouldn't matter too much as long as it's 2.1V or less. Memory generally is made to automatically downclock itself to a speed it can run at 1.8V if necessary in order to boot.

That said, it doesn't always work that way. If your motherboard isn't feeding the RAM enough voltage your system won't boot, and there's no way out of that unless you've got a friend you can borrow a stick of lower-voltage DDR2 from just to boot the PC up. Then you can go into the BIOS, up the RAM voltage, put in your old RAM, and try booting up again.

What I'd do is get something like the Mushkin 5-4-4-12 @ 1.8V kit that's on Newegg. Guaranteed to run at 1.8V, but if you want to overclock you should be able to get it to at least DDR2-900 with a voltage bump, and probably higher.
 
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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
767
0
76
ok, thanks!
Sound like I should get the the faster memory tthat's 2.0-2.1.
Setting in bios is easy enough now that I know the downsides or possible symptom.

I could always get a cheap stick of 1.8 if I can't boot, but at least i'll have the most options available for overclocking when I hit that day.
 
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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
767
0
76

Ooops! I waited one day too long, and the 4g I was about to buy that was $45 is now $99!

I was going to get:
these
seemed fast and cheap at $45, but not at $99!

Are these
these
just as good for my needs?? But I'd need 4..

or these better?
Text

or another suggestion?

All are slower than the originals I should have bought. :(

thanks
 
Gillbot

Gillbot

Lifer
Jan 11, 2001
28,830
17
81
I'm not a fan of OCZ but I hear the reaper ram is nice. You should have jumped on the Gskill when it was cheap.
 
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scruffypup

Senior member
Feb 3, 2006
371
0
0
decent and will work
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

Better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231219

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231209
(these might have issues with clearance depending on Heatsink and such, though not likely)

The last 3 will all give you a bit more room to play with overclocking and still good voltages, timings, etc,...

yes I like gskill,.. running some now,...

free shipping on all but one in the list (free shipping is nice), no rebates, so you can find cheaper with rebates,.. but I don't do rebates,... good price or cheaper now means more to me than a possible extra $ down the road
 
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dbarton

Senior member
Apr 11, 2002
767
0
76

Ok, seems best to order those Mushkins later tonight. VERY much appreciate the help.
I had no idea those Gskills would go up so much!
 
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