• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

RAM for AMD64 system?

N

Nuuki

Junior Member
I'm in the process of putting together a new PC, and could use some advise on the last remaining component - memory. The bits I currently have are as follows:

AMD64 3200+
MSI K8N Neo Platinum
GeForce 6800GT

In the past I would have just tended to stick in some cheap "value" RAM (probably CAS3) and indeed I don't want to throw money at it just for the sake of it, but at the same time having already spent a fair amount I don't want to let the whole system down with substandard memory.

I've heard excellent things about OCZ 3700EB, but wasn't sure if this was overkill, or whether the extra cost would actually produce a tangible benefit.

So, given that I'm after 1Gb of RAM, can someone suggest what would be a fair match to the above system. My priority is really decent default performance. It's not impossible that I'll overclock, but it's not my immediate priority.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
If you don't plan to overclock, standard name-brand value RAM will be fine. Low latency RAM costs quite a good deal more IIRC but the performance increase it gives over the value RAM is negligible.

I have no experience with overclocking RAM so I can't give any advice on it.
 
You can find many value ram chips from either corsair, mushkin, ocz, and crucial with 2.5 Cas. Just not 2-2-3-6 or 2-2-3-8 timings.
 
Originally posted by: Nuuki
In the past I would have just tended to stick in some cheap "value" RAM (probably CAS3) and indeed I don't want to throw money at it just for the sake of it, but at the same time having already spent a fair amount I don't want to let the whole system down with substandard memory.
Click to expand...

CAS3 Value RAM != substandard memory. Just get some quality stuff like Crucial, and forget about it. Way too many people spend big $$ on RAM. The money is almost certainly better spent somewhere else or just saved. Read the article on Toms about mem timings affect on performance. If that doesn't make you rethink spending extra dough on RAM, you're crazy.
 
if you arent overclocking get some nice ocz, corsair, or muskin. if not you can get a 512 pc3200 stick of either for around 100-120. i personally didnt go with value ram because i kno that the memory controller can be picky with ram, and i heard of problems with some of the high latency value ram. you are probibly ok with cas 2.5 but i didnt feel like taking chances.
 
sisooktom is 100% right. Look for a deal on decent ram, or if you're in a hurry, you can always just be safe and go crucial.
 
Originally posted by: footbal07
if you arent overclocking get some nice ocz, corsair, or muskin. if not you can get a 512 pc3200 stick of either for around 100-120. i personally didnt go with value ram because i kno that the memory controller can be picky with ram, and i heard of problems with some of the high latency value ram. you are probibly ok with cas 2.5 but i didnt feel like taking chances.
Click to expand...

As I understand it, it's actually the boards that can be picky about RAM, not the CPU.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I'll do a bit more reading up regarding timings etc. Having had a quick scout around, I've found the following range of prices:

Corsair 2x512Mb TwinX PC3200 3-3-3-8 = £169
Corsair 2x512Mb TwinX PC4000PT 3-4-4-8 = £188
Corsair 2x512Mb TwinX PC3200C2PT 2-3-3-6 = £200
Corsair 2x512Mb TwinX PC3200LL 2-3-2-6 = £235
Corsair 2x512Mb TwinX PC3200LLPT 2-3-2-6 = £245
Crucial 2x512Mb PC3200 CAS3 = £132
OCZ 2x512Mb PC3500 EL CAS2 = £222
OCZ 2x512Mb PC3700EB 3-3-2-8 = £250

That's a fair spread, with the cheapest almost half the price of the most expensive. I admit to being intrigued that the PC4000 is at the cheaper end, though the timings aren't good.

Given these costs is is really worth going for something like the OCZ? What sort of % speed difference is there likely to be?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top