Motherboard - Ram : I am confused

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
E

Eagle Rock

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2006
17
0
0
Hi,

I am building a new computer for myself which will be used for Downloading on the Internet, MS Office work, MP3 stuff, and last, but not least, playing games.

I have just purchased a Lian Li PC7 Plus II case and a Silencer 610 power supply.
I will be using a Sony Trinitron monitor, two IDE optical drives, and a floppy drive I already have.

I plan to buy the following parts:

Two of the WD Caviar SE WD2500KS 7200 RPM 16MB Cache Sata 3.0
One EVGA 8800 GTS (I am not interested in SLI)
Intel Core 2 Dual E6600
Windows XP pro (OEM)
Creative Labs XtemeMusic sound card
Logitech MX518 mouse
Saitek Eclipse keyboard

:confused:I am having a very hard time finding a motherboard and the RAM that goes with it.

I think that Asus P5B-E would work but I keep reading about IDE problems on some P5B-Es and P965s in general. I also keep reading about some problems with RAM.
I am completely lost concerning the RAM
It also concerns me about problems between SoundBlaster drivers and Nvidia on some motherboards.

I am open to suggestions and comments about the motherboard and ram. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've been pulling my hair out for the last week just going to different site forums and reading as much as I can about current motherboards.


 
M

moosey

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
1,331
0
76
I have a very similar setup as you and I went with the BadAxe2.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...details.asp?EdpNo=2563503&Sku=I69-2145

Being a 975X board, it doesn't have the Jmicron IDE issues of most P965 boards and its very stable as well as fast. Even if you're overclocking your chip, you're fine with a 975X board, you won't need the super high FSB speeds of the P965 boards to o/c the e6600.

May also want to look at the Asus P5W-DH and the Abit AW9D-Max.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127011
 
E

Eagle Rock

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2006
17
0
0
I think I will go with the Intel D975XBX2 motherboard.

Now comes the hard part. The RAM. I used Crucial's site to find this RAM.

How does this look?
2GB kit (1GBx2), Ballistix Tracer 240-pin DIMM (with LEDs), DDR2 PC2-5300 memory module
BL2KIT12864AL663US $249.99

Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
Package: Ballistix Tracer 240-pin DIMM (with LEDs)
Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 ? 3-3-3-12 ? UNBUFFERED ? NON-ECC ? DDR2-667 ? 2.2V ? 128Meg x 64

Or would the following type be better?
DDR2 PC2-6400 ? 4-4-4-12 ? UNBUFFERED ? NON-ECC ? DDR2-800 ? 2.2V ? SLI-Ready ? 128Meg x 64

Would running DDR2-800 without overclocking be any better for me than the DDR2-667? I do not have a ckue as to which, if any, would be the best for me to get. As far as playing games, which would you pick? Or is there a better and cheaper RAM route for me to go?

Please make any helpful comments or suggestions.

BTW: How can TigerDirect offer this board so much cheaper than other sites? Is their selection an earlier version or is this just a special deal?
 
G

Gh0stD0g

Junior Member
Feb 3, 2007
3
0
0
Actually, if you are not OCing, you could even use ddr2-533 rams, with the e6600 cpu and 533 ram, you will be running 1:1 fsb to ram. Also if you are not OCing, try to get rams that runs on 1.8 or 1.9v. The intel board is very picky about ram voltages. BTW i have the d975xbx2 as well.
 
M

moosey

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
1,331
0
76
Is your 3rd option there (PC2-6400) the standard Ballistix? That's what I'm running. I don't really see the point of spending so much on the slower rated Tracer (unless you really want the looks) when the faster Ballistix PC2-6400 aren't much more. I think they're around $270 at Newegg. Obviously, the faster the RAM is running the better. Right now I just have my processor stock and RAM at DDR2-800. I haven't run anything slower to compare.

Check these out also...
Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034
Patriot
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220144

On the TigerDirect thing, I don't know why they're cheaper. I got my BX2 there though. I think they're also cheap at MWave, just shop around a bit.
 
E

Eagle Rock

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2006
17
0
0
Originally posted by: moosey
Is your 3rd option there (PC2-6400) the standard Ballistix?
Click to expand...

I do not think it is standard. The cost was listed as $339.00 at Crucial's site.

Originally posted by: Gh0stD0g
Actually, if you are not OCing, you could even use ddr2-533 rams, with the e6600 cpu and 533 ram, you will be running 1:1 fsb to ram. Also if you are not OCing, try to get rams that runs on 1.8 or 1.9v. The intel board is very picky about ram voltages. BTW i have the d975xbx2 as well.
Click to expand...

I would like to have the ability to do some OCing in the future. So, does that mean I must use memory that runs 1.8 or 1.9v? Is there memory which runs at those speeds and can be overclocked a little?
 
E

Eagle Rock

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2006
17
0
0
I found the following at Newegg:

------------------
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098
------------------

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231051
-------------------

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Re
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231081

The volts ranged from 1.8v to 2.0v. I've never heard of G.Skill.

 
G

Gh0stD0g

Junior Member
Feb 3, 2007
3
0
0
You can use rams that run higher than 1.9v, you will have to go into the BIOS and under the PERFORMANCE tab and adjust the voltage manually.
 
E

Eagle Rock

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2006
17
0
0
Originally posted by: Gh0stD0g
You can use rams that run higher than 1.9v, you will have to go into the BIOS and under the PERFORMANCE tab and adjust the voltage manually.
Click to expand...

So, If I like a RAM with 2.2v listed, It "might" run at a lower voltage acceptable to my motherboard? And to the RAM, also?
 
M

moosey

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
1,331
0
76
I have the Crucial and it's listed at 2.2V. It booted up fine for me and I just adjusted the voltage when I went into BIOS. I currently have it running at DDR2-800 at a little under 2.2V....have had no problems. I'm sure you'd be fine with something rated over 1.8V.

As for the Patriot, I know they were, if not still are, using Micron ICs on their RAM, like the Crucial.
 
E

Eagle Rock

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2006
17
0
0
I'm going to get the Patriot RAM and the D975XBX2. I like what I am reading about Patriot, and the stability of the D975XBX2 in using IDE ATA connector.

Now, all I need is for my tax return to arrive as scheduled.

I will post back sometime next week and report my progress in setting up my new computer. I am excited to the point of being silly.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: Spivey
GA-965P-DS3 rev 3.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I liked what I have been reading about the Gigabyte motherboard. It was among my top choices along with the Asus P5B-E. The Gigabyte looks good and Amandtech stated that is was fast even when not OCing it. However, it is a 965 board am I am a little skittish about using my two IDE connected optical drives with it.
 
B

Beelziboss

Member
Jan 11, 2007
82
0
0
Originally posted by: Eagle Rock
I'm going to get the Patriot RAM and the D975XBX2. I like what I am reading about Patriot, and the stability of the D975XBX2 in using IDE ATA connector.

Now, all I need is for my tax return to arrive as scheduled.

I will post back sometime next week and report my progress in setting up my new computer. I am excited to the point of being silly.

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: Spivey
GA-965P-DS3 rev 3.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I liked what I have been reading about the Gigabyte motherboard. It was among my top choices along with the Asus P5B-E. The Gigabyte looks good and Amandtech stated that is was fast even when not OCing it. However, it is a 965 board am I am a little skittish about using my two IDE connected optical drives with it.
Click to expand...

Im right there with ya...waiting on uncle sam to give me my refund so i can start my c2d badaxe2 build.
 
E

Eagle Rock

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2006
17
0
0
I noticed Mushkin memory at

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146673
(More expensive then Patriot RAM.)

Brand mushkin Model 996533
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Tech Spec
Capacity 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Cas Latency 4
Timing 4-5-4-11
Voltage 2.1V - 2.2V
Heat Spreader Yes
 
B

Beelziboss

Member
Jan 11, 2007
82
0
0
I cant decide on ram for this board either. I have been an avid Corsair user, but it seems they have taken a nose dive somewhat. These mushkin sticks above are very very appealing. I dont really plan to OC too much I may just give it a tick or two, so I really am looking for Ram that is stable and performs well at or close to stock.
 
M

moosey

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
1,331
0
76
Originally posted by: craftech
Originally posted by: moosey
I have a very similar setup as you and I went with the BadAxe2.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...details.asp?EdpNo=2563503&Sku=I69-2145
Click to expand...

How are the Tiger Direct rebates? Are they good about them or a hassle?

John
Click to expand...

I got mine from TigerDirect when it was $199 and the Newegg price was like $250. There weren't any rebates at the time. However, I hear TigerDirect rebates aren't the greatest sometimes. I'd also look at MWave.

As far as the Mushkin mentioned by EagleRock, I'd say that's a great choice as well. It was between that or the Crucial for me. I've used Mushkin a number of times and have never had a problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom