RAM recommendation for 64 3200+ (754) and Chaintech ZNF3-250

[integspec]

Dear All,

I'm planning to buy an AMD 64 3200+ (754) and Chaintech ZNF3-250 (Zenith), what's the RAM you guys would recommend? I might overclock, however I'm not an diehard overclocker. Please recommend some brands and speeds (3200 or 4000, pairs or single 512 stick, etc...)

Btw, I'll start with 512M for now and upgrade to 1G in coming months.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Concillian]

1 512MB stick of decent CAS 2.5 value memory that has a Lifetime Warranty.
Brand doesn't matter too much:
Mushkin, Kingston, OCZ, Corsair, Crucial, take your pick.
Based on my personal experience with Kingmax, I would not include them in my list.

Those will allow for overclocking some, not a lot, but you can always use a 5:6 divisor with a 3200+. You're unlikely to reach the limit of the RAM at 5:6 before reaching the limit of the processor.

 

[integspec]

Thanks for the reply. How about 4000 instead of 3200? Or AMD 64 RAM support is limited to 3200?

 

[Concillian]

PC4000 will work, but you will be running it at PC3200 speed if you run the 3200+ stock.

I assumed going with the S754 3200+ and a value concious motherboard that you would not be too serious about overclocking and were budget conscious.
Expensive RAM is generally low on value... the performance bought per dollar is really quite low.
If run properly, PC4000 RAM will yield (slightly) better performance. However, if that is your plan I would have thought you would have chosen the 3000+ instead of the 3200+.

Check the benchmarks here at the same processor speed and different memory speeds:
http://www.anandtech.com/memor...c.aspx?i=2226&p=10

Difference between 400 MHz DDR and 533 MHz DDR is only about 2-2.5% running CAS 2.5 will add another % or so margin onto that. You have to figure on whether 3-4% performance is worth the significant price difference between value memory and crazy fast memory. In most cases it's not worth it.

 

[CraigRT]

generic valueRAM PC3200 will be fine... Kingston, Corsair, etc.

 

[kxm9976]

Hello,
I am actually facing the same the same problem of deciding whether to go with a value Ram such as Corsair or Geil or get something that is a bit more expensive but performs a little better and may be usefull for oc'ing in the future. I am also getting an AMD 64 3200+ s754 but instead of Chaintech I am getting DFI Lanparty UT 250 instead over Asus K8N-E Deluxe due to its ram voltage limitations.

Some of the Rams that kind of interest me now (after doing some research) are:

Corsair PC3200 XMS 2 for $220 (2x512mb)
OCZ PC3500 Performance Seriew 2 for $208 (Newegg sells these in dual channel kits only, but I was told they should work for s754 just not in dual channel mode)

And of course Kingmax PC3500, PC3700, PC4000 with their very low prices. the question is whether they are good quality rams and perform up to their stats.

What you guys would suggest me to get if I am also not going to oc, and I need something that performs well at stock speeds? (ram, cpu, etc.) I gonna use 2 sticks of 512, maybe 1 stick of 1 GIG if that is better.

I am leaning more towards the OCZ PC3500 as this brand rams seem to work well with the DFI mobo.

Any help is very appriciated cause I am a complete newcomer to this field and this will be my first computer that i am building.

Thank You

P.S. Integspec, I apologize if my posting is a bit out of order.

 

[integspec]

kxm9976, No problem. Your question only complements mine.

On the same note, I'm also looking at DDR GeIL 512M PC3500. Comments on our requests would be very much appreciated.

Thanks a lot.