PC3200 XMS for OC 2.4C?

[morphingboy78]

Hey I'm new here, I am pretty good with computer and things. Anyways, I'm getting a Abit IS7-E + 2.4C for some ocing fun. I was wondering if PC3200 XMS(Not LL) will be good enough, or would it be better to spend an extra $40 to get PC 3500 XMS(Not LL)?

 

[Kartajan]

3500 has more headroom, and I beleive also "looser" timings in the SPD (easier to o/c). I guess it kindof depends on how far you are planning to go.

 

[morphingboy78]

I want to get it atleast above 3.0Ghz. I'm currently running on a 488mhz Celeron, and I need a new computer so I'm getting on next month. But I'm only 14 so I'm a pretty tight budget. I'll be using stock cooling because I heard they are doing pretty good as far as OCing goes. I'll get better cooling later, but I want to push this atleast past 3.0Ghz.

 

[Kartajan]

go for the 3500. you will probably need to invest in better cooling to stay that high for long, and other things may also be required later...

Good luck.

 

[oldfart]

You'd be better off spending the extra $ on a 2.6C instead of the PC3500. With a 2.6C, PC3200 will be fine.

 

[Corporate Thug]

XMS pc3200 does 220 Mhz EASY

 

[aggressor]

I'd (and did) go for the XMS 3500. Good ram

 

[morphingboy78]

Originally posted by: oldfart
You'd be better off spending the extra $ on a 2.6C instead of the PC3500. With a 2.6C, PC3200 will be fine.

Why am I much better off? I heard that 2.4C OCs better than 2.6C. And the price difference between 2.4C & 2.6C is quite a bit isn't it?

 

[oldfart]

Look at my posts in this thread. The 2.6C is ~ $35 more. I'd rather spend the extra on the CPU instead of the ram (IMHO).

 

[morphingboy78]

Awesome, thanks 2.6C here I come. Oh another question, should I save some more money and go with Kingston HyperX or should I stick with Corsair XMS? Also I don't totally get the Ram ratio or timing. The price different between 2.6C and the difference between PC3500 compared to my old setup is that there is about an extra $10 from 2.4C to 2.6C. If you get what I'm saying. Like it'd be more expensive by $10 to get a 2.6C + PC3200 ram. Is it worth the $10? I'm on a pretty tight budget.

 

[Corporate Thug]

both XMS and hyperX are almost identically good

 

[morphingboy78]

Really? Are there any ram issues with HyperX?

 

[oldfart]

You have to play a balancing act on CPU Vs Ram speed on these rigs and also FSB speed to some extent. You have to use a 5:4 mem ratio or the ram (even good stuff) can not handle the high FSB speed. Lets us an example of a 3.4 GHz overclock:


2.4C
12 x 283 FSB = 3.4 GHz
1:1 = DDR566
5:4 = DDR452
3:2 = DDR377

2.6C
13 x 261 FSB = 3.4 GHz
1:1 = DDR522
5:4 = DDR417
3:2 = DDR347

The 2.4C has the FSB pretty high which really stresses the NB. Some report problems on some boards after 275 FSB. The 2.6 keeps things much more reasonable. The ratios kind of tell you what mem you would need. As you can see, 1:1 is not gonna happen. The 2.6C with a 5:4 is a nice combo. You dint need expensive ram to do this. @ DDR417, you can also run fast timings. I use regulate XMS3200C2 (not LL or Twinx) and can run 2-2-2-5.

 

[mayhem316]

I am running corsair XMS3200LL memory at 2225 with a FBS of 290 and 3/2 memory divider. You will most likely be using a memory divider that "underclocks" your ram below the spec 400Mhz (mine is current 193Mhz) so I wouldn't spend the extra money on anyhting over 3200. Being able to run really tight timings is nice but the real world advantage is maybe 3-5% at best from what I have read. That being said I am extremely happy with my XMS3200LL memory and would recommend it.