P4 2.4C overclocked, but which RAM?

[tnguyen3in1]

Hey guys, I remember reading an article a couple weeks ago that investigated memory timings and fsb speeds and memory ratios on P4 systems. Does anyone remember where that was? Anyways, if not, here's my question. I'm wondering what the better route is. Should I get the Geil PC 4000 that'll do 250MHz at 2.5-3-3-7 or get some PC3200 at 2-2-2-6 and adjust the memory ratio when I overclock? Which is the higher performing system?

 

[Lyfer]

Buffalo PC3200.

 

[FPSguy]

How high do you want to overclock? According to Overclockers.com the average overclock for a 2.4C is 3323. With a 2.4C it is usually better to go to a 5:4 FSB/memory ratio and hit a higher bus speed than to stay at a 1:1 FSB/memory ratio with a lower bus speed. Link to article about that (the article says it would be better still to go to a 3:2 ratio and get the FSB even higher, but if you can max out the CPU with faster memory doing 5:4 you obviously will be better off).

So, if you want to get your FSB in the 270's or above, I don't think it will be easy to find memory that will do that at a 1:1 ratio, and at a 5:4 ratio you will want PC3500 memory or faster. If you are going to run at closer to a 250 FSB, then you will want PC4000 or 4200 (so you can run at a 1:1 ratio). In either case, I suggest OCZ memory if you can afford it, or if not, then Geil. Page 15 of this AnandTech article supports the choice of OCZ or Geil.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Buffalo PC3200.

another vote for buffalo. good stuff. ocs very well and is quite cheap

 

[orion7144]

OCZ Gold

 

[tnguyen3in1]

I guess I wasn't quite as clear as I thought on what I was looking for. I was more interested in which route:

lower RAM(PC3500) speed/low latency(2-3-3-6)
or
faster RAM(PC4000) speerd/higher latency(2.5-4-4-7)

to go. Basically I'm not sure which is more visible on the springdale chipset, higher RAM frequency or lower latency.

But thanks for the suggestions, I know what brands to consider now

 

[FPSguy]

Here is an article the gist of which is that memory speed and timings produce different results with different types of applications, but for many (but not all) applications tight timings can be more important. It provides test results to back that up.

Here is an article that says the memory hardly matters at all -- it's all about how fast you can get your FSB. It also provides test results to back that up.

It's a complicated question. You can't really compare apples to apples because either your FSB will be higher with one module, or else you will be using a divider with a module. Based on the articles, I think it is hard to generalize an answer.