Memory speed/timing questions

[Dr Pepper]

I'm looking for memory for my new build (Conroe E6600). Which is better - a higher speed rating or memory timings? For example, would a stick of PC5400 with 4-4-4-10 timings do as well as a stick of PC6400 with 5-5-5-12 timings?

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm not neccessarily looking for the fastest overclock possible, but I would like to get to at least 3.2Ghz (33% overclock) running as stable as possible.

Thanks again,
The Original Dr Pepper

 

[the Chase]

Well the 5400 with tighter timings will perform better than the 6400 with looser timings. But if you are going to OC (the FSB) the faster rated memory would be a plus towards that end. The performance difference of memory timings for Conroe is not that much anyway.

 

[Kwint Sommer]

From what I can gather about Conroe and the input of others on this forum (there is a thread all about this on page 2 if you had bothered to look), it is better to have a 1:1 CPU to RAM ratio with 5-5-5-15 than 5:4 with 3-3-3-8 as tighter timings will only make a 2%-3% difference. PC5400 is designed to run at a FSB of 335mhz while PC6400 is for 400mhz. If you plan to overclock your E6600 beyond 3GHz (FSB of 335mhz) then you will want PC6400.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Kwint Sommer
From what I can gather about Conroe and the input of others on this forum (there is a thread all about this on page 2 if you had bothered to look), it is better to have a 1:1 CPU to RAM ratio with 5-5-5-15 than 5:4 with 3-3-3-8 as tighter timings will only make a 2%-3% difference. PC5400 is designed to run at a FSB of 335mhz while PC6400 is for 400mhz. If you plan to overclock your E6600 beyond 3GHz (FSB of 335mhz) then you will want PC6400.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[Dr Pepper]

I kinda expected something like that - It's just that the post titles don't always match what's discussed inside, and it certainly helps a LOT when people flame you for it, then fails to provide a link to the other post.

By the way - I followed your link to your cable management post, Buck. All I can say is "NICE JOB!!!!"

Dr P