Memory selection - what's the bang for the buck?

[lookin4dlz]

I really need to get 1GB of dual channel ram on my computer. I know tight timings provide a 3%-5% memory boost, but ram with these specs probably costs $150 more. For light gaming, mid video usage and heavy number crunching, does this really translate into a system speed increase?

Thanks for your comments/experience!

 

[Stormgiant]

If you don't mind high timmings, any brand of PC3700/4000 should be enough.

That way you can run 1:1 instead of the 5:4 your running now.

 

[maluckey]

Tight timings do help in gaming, but are not as important for other uses. The added flexibility of the premium RAM allows for overclockablity in any situation.

In a few words, WinBond BH-5 is still king for a reason......

 

[Stormgiant]

Originally posted by: maluckey
Tight timings do help in gaming, but are not as important for other uses. The added flexibility of the premium RAM allows for overclockablity in any situation.

In a few words, WinBond BH-5 is still king for a reason......

What are the speed of the memories on those two AMD system your running ?

 

[maluckey]

On both systems in my sig, The RAM is 1GB ( 2 x KHX2700/512) which is rated as PC2700. They are all BH-5 chipped.

With 1Gb ( 2 x KHX2700/512 ) My NF7-S v2.0 is stable at 2.94 volts actual to the RAM at 221 Mhz FSB with 2-2-2-11 timings, 3:3 ratio, with the CPU interface enabled. I bought the RAM for 150 dollars for the 1GB just a year and a half ago. What a steal!!!

You can still find BH-6 in the KHX300/512 modules if you are lucky, but the chances for BH-5 are slim.

 

[JimRaynor]

doesn't matter the new samsung chips are out now, and they are better than bh-5.

 

[Stormgiant]

Originally posted by: maluckey
You can still find BH-6 in the KHX300/512 modules if you are lucky, but the chances for BH-5 are slim.

Yeah, I know. I have two 2x256MB kits on my computers...

And 150 a year ago was indeed a steal...

 

[Stormgiant]

Originally posted by: JimRaynor
doesn't matter the new samsung chips are out now, and they are better than bh-5.

And you believe in everything you read ?

And Santa ?

After the review made in Anandtech, there was a big rush to those new chips, but they haven't been able to duplicate in mass prodution what they promissed...

At least until now.

 

[MegaWorks]

Originally posted by: Stormgiant
If you don't mind high timmings, any brand of PC3700/4000 should be enough.

That way you can run 1:1 instead of the 5:4 your running now.

 

[maluckey]

Hey! I beleive in Santa!

Everyone alsio wants those Ballistix RAM that Anand tested.

On XtremeSystems forums, nobody can duplicate the performance he got, even though they plunked down the cash for the same modules. Even with better systems, they are not seeing the claimed speeds. For now at least, the only sure thing is still BH-5 and BH-6 if you want ultra-tight timings AND high FSB.

There are still some of the BH-X chips out there, as I said, but mainly in the 512Mb KHX modules at the moment.