Overclockers Ram of Choice...

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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Here's what I'm looking at:

1. 1GB Geil Golden Dragon PC3500 (2-3-3-6): 224.00 Shipped - Newegg

2. 1GB Kingston HyperX PC3500 (2-3-3-7): 282.00 Shipped - Newegg

3. 1GB Corsair XMS Platinum PC3500 (2-3-3-7): 352.00 Shipped - Newegg

4. 1GB Corsair XMS Platinum PC4000 (3-4-4-8): 322.00 Shipped - Googlegear

Which would be better for overclocking when it comes to a P4 2.6C that aspires to hit 3.5GHZ and an Abit IC7 Motherboard? Thanks.
 

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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I have heard good things about OCZ and then a lot of problems also. I know Geil doesn't have the best reputation sometimes, but there products are pretty inexpensive and seem to give descent results. I'm just not sure if it would be worth it going with an "iffy" memory manufacturer when I can get Kingston for less and Corsair for just a little more...
 

VisableAssassin

Senior member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: pspada
How about this:

5. 1GB OCZ EL DDR Dual Channel PC3500 CL 2-3-3-7 1T : $304.87 NOT shipped - Hardcorecooling.com



5.1gb for only 304 bucks sign me up :p

anyways im pretty happy with my corsair stuff........it hasnt let me down one bit.
but id also suggest not getting the platnum stuff since it is the same as the black heat spreader and the extra cost of the platnum isnt worth it........unless you really NEED that bare aluminum look :)
 

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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I wouldn't get it except for the fact that it costs the same amount...
 

Soulkeeper

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2001
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i've been thinking about getting two sticks of twinmos 512mb pc3200 or pc3700

i've always been a fan of low memory timings
it seems like these days everytime they increase memory speeds they compensate by lowering latencies

 

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
HYPPPPPPERX. by far the coolest name and therefore the RAM for you.

I have heard of problems between the Winbond chips used in HyperX and the Abit IC7, is this really a problem?
 

batmang

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2003
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i do not recommend getting Geil 3500 Ultra Platinum, thats what i have, and i have a 2.6c as well. See my sig for full system specs. I can only hit 3.1-3.2ghz, 3.2 being max at a safe vcore. Im at a 1.65 vcore at only 3.125 ghz. Its not bad at all for the price, and a 500mhz oc isnt bad either. But if ur trying to hit 3.5ghz, its not EASY just cause u have the best ram. Ur gonna also need luck of the draw with what cpu u got/receive and a good luck of the draw mobo as well. I was happy to hit anything 3.0 and above, cause its a 2.6c, it aint made to run at anything higher, but 800 fsb is great. :)

I got 2 256mb sticks of my ram for $112 shipped at newegg.com. If i were you, id recommend the corsair xms. Ive only seen good results with that, ocz is more of a luck of the draw then anything imho. CORSAIR XMS!
 

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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The reason I am looking at 3.5GHZ is because I had a P4 2.6C that would hit that before.
 

pspada

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2002
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My OCZ (lower end than that linked in my post above) can hit 494Mhz with no problems, though it can't do CL2 at that speed. However, I've only ever used it on AMD based systems.

Oh, and I've read numerous posts from people who have had problems with HyperX memory.
 

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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Well, since it looks like Corsair will be the best choice, so which to get...PC3200, PC3500, or PC4000?
 

batmang

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2003
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id just go with 3200 or 3500. which ever should work fine. but ive seen most of the 3.3ghz+ oc'ed systems using 3500
 

lchyi

Senior member
May 1, 2003
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Kingston modules aren't that bad. True there are some compatibility issues but that should be looked at before purchasing the RAM. Usually a simple call to Kingston's reps can get you an answer. IMO their customer service is one of the best. I mean, when I got a DOA motherboard, they helped me more than Gigabyte did with it (I thought it could have been the RAM so I called them about it). Anyway, they have a great RMA process and if you have a bad chip or anything, I think they'll cross ship you a new module. But other than that, which all RAM can have some compatibility issues, my Kingston PC2700, PC3000, and PC3200 modules ran just fine on an Abit IC7.
 

batmang

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2003
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1. 1GB Geil Golden Dragon PC3500 (2-3-3-6): 224.00 Shipped - Newegg

i just realized that you said golden dragon 3500 and not ultra platinum 3500. The Golden Dragon is alot better from what i've seen, but id still go with Corsair XMS. PC4000 would be nice.... but thats a lot o friggin money.
 
Apr 17, 2003
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Originally posted by: jdogg707
Here's what I'm looking at:

1. 1GB Geil Golden Dragon PC3500 (2-3-3-6): 224.00 Shipped - Newegg

2. 1GB Kingston HyperX PC3500 (2-3-3-7): 282.00 Shipped - Newegg

3. 1GB Corsair XMS Platinum PC3500 (2-3-3-7): 352.00 Shipped - Newegg

4. 1GB Corsair XMS Platinum PC4000 (3-4-4-8): 322.00 Shipped - Googlegear

Which would be better for overclocking when it comes to a P4 2.6C that aspires to hit 3.5GHZ and an Abit IC7 Motherboard? Thanks.


the XMS pc3700 is now $320 at newegg but i would still get the pc4000 to futureproof
 

Shimmishim

Elite Member
Feb 19, 2001
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are you planning on running 1:1 or 5:4?

if you are planning 1:1 then you're gonna need some pc4000 to pc4200

but if youre running 5:4, then pc3200 to pc3500 will be just fine for you


but like someone said before, it all depends on how high your processor goes....

13 x 250 = 3250 running 1:1 - ram = 250 mhz
13 x 261 = 3400 running 1:1 - ram = 261 mhz

see what i'm getting at? i dunno how many companies make ram that can run ddr522 w/o a vdimm voltage mod (i know the a-data stuff can do crazy speeds but you need like 3.4+ vdimm volts)

let's say your chip is capable of 3500 mhz

13 x 270 = 3500 running 1:1 - ram = 270 mhz ... at this point, youre in trouble!!!
13 x 270 = 3500 running 5:4 - ram = 216 mhz -> which pc3500 will be just fine for you

even

13 x 277 = 3600 running 5:4 - ram = 222 mhz -> pc3500 should be fine here as well....


so you have to plan ahead...

i used my winbond bh-5 and a 3:2 to determine the highest speed possible then bought my ram

i was capable of 12 x 293 stable and used the 5:4 which put my ram at or around 234 mhz... so i decided to go with some pc3700

but if my chip crapped out at 12 x 275 and the 5:4 which puts my ram at or around 220 mhz, i would have gone with some pc3500

so just be sure to put that in mind!
 

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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Originally posted by: Shimmishim
are you planning on running 1:1 or 5:4?

if you are planning 1:1 then you're gonna need some pc4000 to pc4200

but if youre running 5:4, then pc3200 to pc3500 will be just fine for you


but like someone said before, it all depends on how high your processor goes....

13 x 250 = 3250 running 1:1 - ram = 250 mhz
13 x 261 = 3400 running 1:1 - ram = 261 mhz

see what i'm getting at? i dunno how many companies make ram that can run ddr522 w/o a vdimm voltage mod (i know the a-data stuff can do crazy speeds but you need like 3.4+ vdimm volts)

let's say your chip is capable of 3500 mhz

13 x 270 = 3500 running 1:1 - ram = 270 mhz ... at this point, youre in trouble!!!
13 x 270 = 3500 running 5:4 - ram = 216 mhz -> which pc3500 will be just fine for you

even

13 x 277 = 3600 running 5:4 - ram = 222 mhz -> pc3500 should be fine here as well....


so you have to plan ahead...

i used my winbond bh-5 and a 3:2 to determine the highest speed possible then bought my ram

i was capable of 12 x 293 stable and used the 5:4 which put my ram at or around 234 mhz... so i decided to go with some pc3700

but if my chip crapped out at 12 x 275 and the 5:4 which puts my ram at or around 220 mhz, i would have gone with some pc3500

so just be sure to put that in mind!

Thanks for the info, looks like PC3500 should do it...so Corsair or Kingston? Corsair is 356 and Kingston is 292.00?
 

Cardio

Senior member
Jun 11, 2003
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I have used almost every brand memory made and I have always found that Mushkin Black Level II has the best performance of any! Every stick is consistant and not like the special Test sticks many brand supply to test websites, then sell something else to users. They are individually tested and , in my experience, always far exceed their specs.
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
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Be aware that running 1:1 with the slow timings required to do so (typ 3-4-4-8) is no faster (often slower) than running 5:4 with fast timings. You spend a bunch more $$ for little to no gain in actual performance.
 

jdogg707

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2002
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I think I've decided to get the Corsair PC3500, hopefully I won't run into any issues with it! Thanks for all the input.