Poll: Better Overclockability? Infineon or Micron SDRAM?

[Peridium]

What do you people think is better for overclocking? Infineon or Micron PC133 SDRAM? I'm not talking about those special hand pick kinds available, but the modules you can purchase in nearby local shops.

So if you were to purchase some general Infineon or Micron from a shop which would you expect to clock higher at CAS2?

 

[Sugadaddy]

I'd say Infineon

 

[shiznut123]

Infineon for sure.

 

[MichaelD]

Just my $.02. I've never used Micron, so I can't say squat about it.

But I'm currently using a 256mb PC133 stick of Atlas brand memory w/7.5 Infineon chips. It wasn't sold as "overclockers" memory, just "really good everyday memory", and it shows up as CAS3 on the "memory checking program" by H Oda...same guy who writes WCPUID...can't think of the program name right now and I accidently deleted it from my hd.

Anyway, I'm running it CAS2, full 4-way interleaving at 140MHz. It's run steady at 144 as well, but it wasn't rock stable. Not bad for memory not rated for CAS2 and overclocking but doing both very well. Infineon gets my vote.

 

[ALstonLoong]

infineon is more overclockable..... i use micron only able to overclock to 143 cas2 ..i heard in the forum ppl are overclocking infineon ram to 150 fsb !

 

[chuckieland]

infineon always

 

[Biggs]

Infineon = overclockability
Micron = compatibility

 

[Peridium]

So what's the difference between the Micron SDRAM that Crucial sells and the ones you can buy from local shops? Would the Infineon still be better than the 7E CAS2 modules?

 

[Super6]

Crucial memory is 100% Micron....chips, 6-layer pcb, etc. Crucial is Micron's retail memory outlet. A lot of generic memory and name brand stuff uses Micron chips on their own boards. That's where some "Micron" memory gets a bad rap as not all manufacturers build to spec.

Super6

 

[thermite88]

<< Would the Infineon still be better than the 7E CAS2 modules? >>

The answer is yes. I tried one Crucial PC-133/CL2. The performance was very disappointing. Never go back for a second trial. The Mosel Vitelic, KingMax KTI and Infineon PC-133 module are all satisfactory for me. All these SDRAM use 7.5 ns memory chips, Crucial is the only manufacturer who labels their module as CL2.

CL or CAS Latency is the amount of time in nanoseconds or clock cycles between a request to read the memory, and when it is actually output. SDRAMs are typically referred to as CL2 or CL3, with CL2 parts being faster.

The user selects the CL in the motherboard BIOS. If the SDRAM is fast enough, it will run stable in CL2. Most of today's SDRAM comes with a EEPROM call SDP (Serial Presence Detect). The SDRAM module manufacturer load the timing information into this SPD ROM. The user can allow the motherboard to read the SPD and set the timing or CL accordingly. The user override the SPD settings when he wants to overclock.

<< However, the manufacturer's SPD timing does not necessarily represent the SDRAM's true speed. For example, Crucial rates their SDRAM using 7.5 ns chips as PC-133/CL2. The Crucial has little overclock margin and most user cannot run much above 140 FSB. On the other hand, the Infineon PC-133/CL3 SDRAM also uses 7.5 ns chips and many users have reported running stable at 150 FSB @ CL2 and faster. >>



DISCLAIMER: The above comment is based on only one stick of Crucial PC-133/CL2 and 2-5 sticks each of the Mosel Vitelic, KingMax KTI and Infineon PC-133 modules. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Peridium]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I just dove in and bought 512MB of Infineon PC133 SDRAM. So how can I take advantage of this much RAM? I'm running a dual-boot between Windows Millennium and Windows 2000 Pro. I'm very pleased with the RAM so far as I have it running at 2,2,5/7 timing on my CUSL2.

 

[PCResources]

That Infineon would be more overclockable than Infineon is just BS, what were the ratings on the chips?

Sure, i could buy an old Infineon chip and a new Micron chip, which would overclock more easily and higher??

Crucial is great memory.... that is just the truth, for stability (better stability does mean higher overclockability) i would say that Crucial (micron) is better every time...

Patrick Palm

PC Resources

 

[Basse]

Infineon for me as well.

/B

 

[PCResources]

Thermite88

Hehe that is the first time i have seen a disclaimer in a post... If i were to buy ONE stick of Infineon memory, and that stick (133/CAS2) couldn't get past 100/CAS3 then maybe i should state that all Infineon memory sticks are crappy.... I actually have such a stick...

But after testing out thousands and thousands of memory sticks, i will only sell Crucial, why? because i have found them to be more stable...

Patrick Palm

PC Resources

 

[Snoop]

I have never tried the infineon, but i have used a bunch of micron, never had a problem at 144 cas 2, on three diff computers

 

[ChicagoMaroon]

I get the about same performace out of both. Have some Kingston PC100 with Infineon running at PC133 CAS2, and the same with my Micron RAM. Never tried either at a higher speed, may be I'll test them out tonight.

 

[Hanpan]

I found infineon to be slightly more leniant of hihg fsb speeds but micron is a little bit more stable. Not a big deal for most systems thouhg

 

[thermite88]

Patrick Palm wrote:

<< i will only sell Crucial....Crucial is great memory.... that is just the truth, for stability (better stability does mean higher overclockability) i would say that Crucial (micron) is better every time... >>

I will call this totally unbiased opinion.

On this thread, the opinion is about 4 to 1 in the Infineon's favor. When I do a search for Crucial and Infineon post, I found a lot more negative comment on the Crucial than on the Infineon. The Crucial is good for those who does not overclock, but Infineon is great for those who oc according to the poll.

 

[Peridium]

Looks like the majority is in favour of Infineon...

 

[twong82]

infineon

 

[AmdEmAll]

Infineon is good shiat. Mine is rated up to 160mhz.

 

[hans007]

its harder to get infineon that is well, made by them because they dont have a site like crucial that just sells ram. But they do make great ram. I used crucial myself, i'm not some insane overclocker, i can get 143 cas2 out of these -7Es. At the same bus speed they should have the same performance though, if you are gonna build just a regular system i'd get crucial, just for the warranty and it being cheaper

 

[AmdEmAll]

Memman They sell Infineon. And the pcb is made by Apacer.

 

[PCResources]

<< I will call this totally unbiased opinion. >>



Hehe, a call of an opinion will have to include a similar comparison, so why don't you buy thousands and thousands of sticks of ram and compare them...

And sure, more Infineon chips are sold, so why would anyone argue with anything, no one wants to be the fool...

Patrick Palm

PC Resources

 

[hans007]

i know , but i wouldn't get an apacer. YOu can actually get infineon originals, HP and most OEMs use them, just they dont sell them like crucial. i'd have to say infineon originals are the best. had a infineon or siemens sticker just like micron originals.