RAM Question

[guptasa1]

Hey all,

Building a gaming rig soon (probably, but still tentatively, based on X38 architecture).

Anyways, here's my question. I know now there's DDR2 and DDR3, and I'm leaning towards going 3.

What I still don't understand is the difference, say, between DDR3 1333, 1600, and 1866 (just examples). I know there's a big price difference, and I know it has to do with clock speed and such, but...

Okay, so say I pick a motherboard (since X38 models aren't out yet, I'll use a P35 for example purposes):

ASUS P5K3 Deluxe

On the specs page, it reads:

Dual-channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 MHz

Does this mean the fastest DDR3 memory I could use without technically overclocking (read: official support) is 1333? So it would be overclocking, say, to plop in 1600? (In otherwords, is 1333 the highest supported by the manufacturer? Is this generally revised upward, or is it set and established?)

Similarly, I've noticed RAM comes in all different timings (for example 7-7-7-20). Which is more important - the timings or "speed" (the 1333, etc.) of the RAM? Is this autodetected by the BIOS, or what?

Thanks all. I know these are probably dumb questions, but this has always confused the hell out of me (with DDR2, and now 3). =oP

 

[Nickel020]

The fastest offcially supported is 1333, but if you get a good board 1600 will work, otherwise there would be no point in DDR3 1600.

And I would not get DDR3 RAM, rather get DDR2 and a second graphics card or a better CPU for the money, overall performance will improve. If you want an ATI card, the X38 will be great for Crossfire, if you want a Nvidia card, the 680i SLI baord from Asus and EVGA are pretty good. You might also want to buy a cheaper board now and wait for the new nForce 7 boards to come out (in november/december) and then buy a second graphics card then. Much better than wasting money on DDR3 now.

 

[guptasa1]

Thanks for the great reply. So, the only reason the DDR3 boards that are faster (1600, 1800, etc.) are for overclockers or, when available, boards that officially support that speed. I see. Do BIOS updates every revise the supported RAM upwards? (IE, DDR3 1600 now supported). I'll hafta see what the X38 supports when it comes out.

I'm sorta at a crossroads. I don't particularly want to go with 680i due to all the issues I've read about (I realize they're a lot more stable now, but still). I think for stability, it's likely the X38 will be great (of course no knowing til it's out, but with Intel's track record as of late). I did initially want SLI, but, I think I may just go with a single video card and upgrade more often as I'm really starting to doubt SLI, at this point, is that useful. It seems to have a lot of issues with it, and even when it works, it doesn't appear to make THAT much difference. I may go with an eVGA 8800 Ultra with the hopes that the 9XXX series will come out within the next three months (from when I order...still a few weeks off) and I can step up to the latest and greatest at that time.

As for the RAM, I'll just have to take a look at prices at that time and decide. My general strategy is to get the latest and greatest officially supported stuff at the time, even if it's at a slight premium. I don't overclock (unless it's factory). So we'll see, but I'll take the DDR2 suggestion under advisement.

 

[guptasa1]

BTW, any further explanation of the RAM timings and such would of course be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JustaGeek]

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=3053&p=4

You can google more ddr2 vs ddr3 reviews and testing, but I have found some of them inaccurate due to comparing the bandwidth in the same charts, but with different FSB speeds.

That practice is incorrect - look for the bandwidth comparisons ONLY with the same FSB speed. Only then you will be comparing "apples to apples".

 

[guptasa1]

Thankies for the link and info!