Memory Question for my OC:

[d0nny]

Ok, I've got a 2500+ OC'd to 2.1ghz or so. I don't think I'll push it any further than that, but I wouldn't mind to do so, to say the least. I'm currently doing a minor overhaul on my system, but I'm not sure if I want to get DDR 3200 over DDR 2700.

What should I do? I could pick up some used memory for a good price, but I'm in a crappy situation where I'm without checks, and away from money orders. I'd need to paypal with a credit card to really get any used memory, which I don't see often here or elsewhere on forums.

Should I shell out the extra clams for DDR 3200, or just go simple with DDR 2700. I want the 3200 because of the performance that can be gained through it, I just don't know if it's what I need for my rig.

Should I still get 3200 memory, but skip on XMS and HyperX that I had been looking at? I want to avoid "Value" ram from either company, but I'd like the respective performance sticks if possible =/.

BTW, OC is 184x11.5 @ 2.1xx ghz

Lemme know what's the best to go with in my situation.

Thanks in advance

 

[myocardia]

You should definitely go with PC3200, that's why you haven't made it to 11x200 or above. And stay as far away from Value Ram as you can get, unless you are completely sure that 200fsb is as far as you will ever want to go. I would recommend any of these: Kingmax PC3500 for $89 per 512MB stick or OCZ Perf. Series for $104 per 512MB or Buffalo Tech. PC3200 for $89 per 512MB stick.

 

[d0nny]

Thanks for the insights. I'm kinda on a tight budget.. and this frees me up some.

Btw, my board is an Epox 8rda+

but, i don't believe any of these brands have known problems with the 8rda+

Again, thanks!


EDIT: Which of the 3 would you reccomend?

I've heard good stuff about buffalo tech, and OCZ is reccomended for EPoX users..

Well?

 

[myocardia]

Actually, OCZ is recommended for anyone with the nForce2 chipset, no matter what company made the board. I would probably recommend the Buffalo. It doesn't have the BH5 chips that were so awesome (wish I had picked up 40 or 50 gigs of that while it was available and even cheaper than ram is now), but it's got the Winbond CH6, if I remember correctly, which is still quite good. BUT, Buffalo also has PC3200 that has Infineon chips, that I wouldn't use if they were given to me, so make sure you use the link that I provided.

edit: Oh, and I wouldn't buy two sticks of 256 if I were you. Dual-channel doesn't make a drastic difference with an Athlon. Just get one stick of 512MB, if that's all you can afford, then later you can get one more 512 stick, and will have 1gig running dual-channel, which is optimal.

 

[d0nny]

how will I know if they're infineon chips or not?

 

[Jeff7181]

You can't go wrong with Mushkin =) I love it now that I have a power supply that can feed it, hehe... wasn't stable higher than 210 Mhz at it's rated 2-3-3 timings before... now with the new PSU I'm running 218 @ 2-3-3 and haven't tried any higher yet, but I will be soon

 

[d0nny]

Mushkin looks nice, and the prices aren't too bad.. but they're just not in my range right now.

If I can pick up some decent ram for 90$ shipped, I'd be incredibly happy.

Any clue as to how I can find out about those Buffalo sticks?

I've heard damn near every brand under the sun reccomended to me, but I'm pretty much wanting to stay in the HyperX/XMS area. That's out of my budget.

Also, I know this site doesn't have a memory forum, but what are the peformance brands from each company? What are their regular, and what are their value lines?

I know Kingston has Kingston ValueRam, Kingston Ram, and Kingston HyperX series.
Corsair has a value brand, a regular brand, and XMS series.
Geil has their Value brand, the golden dragon series, and a third series. I don't know which is the top performer from them.
Mushkin has a value, and blue line
Buffalo Technology has a value, and performance brand I can't remember off the top of my head.


Anyone have a full list? Would probably be good to have stickied somewheres.

Also, I've read on AMDMB that if you plan to OC, that 3200 to 3500 is what you should shoot for. I know that you can get 4000, but the timings might not be too happy with AMD chipsets/mobos.


Thanks for the info. Also, does anyone know a website with some great deals on performance, or other good ram?

I know that right now kingston has mail in rebates on their value series if you order through their website (good rebates at that.)

-Donny

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: d0nny
how will I know if they're infineon chips or not?

You'll know, because that link that I provided you with has the Winbond chips, not the Infineon chips. And to answer you next post, Buffalo doesn't name their two lines, but they exist. The line with the Winbond chips, and the value line, with the Infineon chips.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

"that's why you haven't made it to 11x200 or above"

his board only supports up to 333fsb, rams not going to help him much :\

 

[drewdogg808]

Originally posted by: AWhackWhiteBoy
"that's why you haven't made it to 11x200 or above"

his board only supports up to 333fsb, rams not going to help him much :\

what are you talking about? my previous 8rda+ did 220fsb, and had the c1/a1 northbridge (400 ultra) which supports 200fsb.

 

[d0nny]

I think the 8rda+ is 333 fsb, however, people have hit decent OCs with them.

However, on the official EPoX website, this is what is listed for the memory on the 8rda+: Memory:
3 x DDR SDRAM PC3200, 3GB max.


Should I pass on 3200 memory or not?

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

the board is 333,but it will take any ram higher than that. honestly i don't think your going to get a whole lot further to justify the price. however, if you get really high grade ram like that you can always use it in your next PC.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

Originally posted by: drewdogg808

what are you talking about? my previous 8rda+ did 220fsb, and had the c1/a1 northbridge (400 ultra) which supports 200fsb.

did you get some sort of elite model or something? because Epox says right on their web site its a 333 chipset on a 333 board.

"EP-8RDA+:
? Socket A for AMD Athlon?, Duron?, Athlon? XP CPU. Supports 266/333 FSB
? Nvidia Nforce2 SPP Chipset + Nvidia Nforce2 MCP-T"


here