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Opinions on RAM to go with my new A64

B

blackpool9

Member
OK, after about a month of research, I've finally decided on an upgrade to an Athlon 64 3200+ (Clawhammer) and an MSI K8N Neo Platinum to replace my Athon XP 1800+ and Soltek board. The rest of my current rig is as follows: ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (128MB), Audigy 2 ZS, Seagate 250GB 8MB PATA drive, NEC 8x DVD+-RW. The last decision to make is on RAM. I want something that will run at DDR400 in the MSI board, and that provides the best performance/price ratio. I've got some possibilities, and I could use some educated opinions. Ideally I'd like information from current MSI Neo owners on their own experiences with memory compatibility, but I'll welcome any constructive opinions on general performance of the listed memory. Prices are mwave if available there, otherwise newegg (2 Day shipping on mwave generally cheaper than NJ sales tax at newegg). Any MSI Neo Platinum owners who want to add something not on the list, that's cool too.

OCZ PC3200 2x512MB 2-3-2-6 (OCZ4001024ELDC-K) - $248
OCZ PC3200 2x512MB 2-2-3-5 Platinum (OCZ4000124ELDCPE-K - $259
Corsair PC3200 2x512MB 2-3-3-6 (TWINX1024-3200C2PRO) - $258
Corsair XMS PC3200 512MB 2-3-3-6 (CMX512-3200C2) - $109 x 2 = $218
Kingston PC3200 2x512MB 3-3-3 (KVR400X64C3AK2/1G) - $177
Kingston PC3200 512MB 3-3-3 (KVR400X64C3A/512) - $80 x 2 = $160
Mushkin PC3200 Level One 2x512MB 2-3-2 (991089) - $249
 
The difference in gaming performance betwen the highest priced ram on that list and the cheapest is going to be a max of 5% so ask yourself if that small performance gain is worth the $100 premium.
 
I'm currently reviewing the sticky MSI forum thread right now. I guess another question I need answered is: If I"m planning on doing some overclocking (not too aggressive, just about 10%), should I go with a higher rated memory (PC3500 - PC4000) or will I be able to overclock PC3200 memory 10% without much problem?
 
Let me throw another possibility out there:

OCZ PC3500 2.5-3-3-7 2x512MB (OCZ4331024PFDC-K) - $223

That's if overclocking would be better with higher rated memory.
 
OK, but if it doesn't make sense to pay more for low-latency memory, does it make sense to pay the same premium or more for faster memory? If I"m going with higher speed memory, then the first choices that jump out at me at newegg are the OCZ listed above and these:

Mushkin PC3500 Level One 2x512MB 2-3-3 (991091) - $276
OCZ PC3500 Enhanced Latency 2-3-3-7 (OCZ4331024ELDCK) - $280
Corsair PC3700 XMS 2x512MB 3-4-4-8 (TWINX1024-3700PT) - $278

There are other, cheaper modules, but not brand name, and I don't think the money saved would be worth it. All other 1GB configs would be over $300, and that's my upper-upper limit for my RAM. I'd prefer to stay in the lower half of the $200s. Can anyone recommend/dis the $223 OCZ PC3500 memory listed above? If CAS timing isn't important, then the performance of those modules should be pretty much the same as the $280 Enhanced latency modules. Anyone know what the difference is other than the timings?
 
That PC 3500 OCZ 2.5-3-3-7 RAM seems like a great deal to me, and being that OCZ is known for overclocking, that path seems like a good choice, BTW, where did you find that deal? Can i get a link to that RAM?
 
Made my purchase on Wednesday. Athlon 64 3200+ (Retail), MSI K8N Neo Platinum, and OCZ PC3500 2x512MB 2.5-3-3-7. Will hopefully ship Thursday, but with the July 4 holiday, will probably not arrive until Tuesday. *sigh*

Thanks to all for all the advice and input on my new components.
 
Hey blackpool,

How did that memory work out? That memory was also on my list of potentials. What sort of timings were you able to achieve?

Thanks!
 
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