RAM: Timings vs Bandwidth on high speed DDR2

[taltamir]

I have just built an ABIT KN9 http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/techspec.php?categories=1&model=317 based comp with an A64 X2 3800+ processor. I was wondering which would be better for me in terms of ram. DDR2 800 with 5-5-5-15 timings. Or DDR2 667 with better timings (probably 4-4-4-12). If I understand correctly, with my CPU there shouldn't be a problem with memory bandwidth, AND with the controller being on the CPU the timings would make alot of difference. But would that difference be greater then having DDR800 at slower timings?

Getting a low timing DDR2 800 is out of the question due to cost, its between a low timing 667 or a high timing 800...

Duel channel ofcourse... (I am gonna return my 1 GM of ram and buy a 2GB matching pair, but I need to decide WHAT type of matching pair...)

 

[acegazda]

In order of importance... memory size-->memory bandwidth-->memory timings
The ddr2-800 is better, but not much. If the ddr2-667 is significantly cheaper, get it. If they're within $10 of each other, get the 800.

 

[taltamir]

thanks for the advice...

If I choose to OC the ram... should i OC past 800MHZ or should i OC the timings? Or both to a balanced degree?
(although for the life of me I cant find the timing's settings in the bios... I find everything else to OC but not the RAM timings...)

 

[acegazda]

Well, if you're ocing the cpu as well, oc the frequency to achieve a higher 1:1 ratio with the fsb. If not, do a little of both, maybe 700mhz @ 3-4-3-8 timings.

 

[taltamir]

mmm... what if it buy 800MHZ ram to begin with? OC to 900MHZ and 3-4-3-8?

Also, what would you recommend as far as ram? which manufacturer would be a good buy?

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: acegazda
In order of importance... memory size-->memory bandwidth-->memory timings

Memory size is not even in the same category as the other things you listed - more RAM is not better or faster in any way. If your typical workload takes 5 or 6 hundred MB then there's no point getting more than 1GB of memory from a capacity point of view, and since 512MB modules are faster and cheaper than 1GB modules, two of those are usually the best option.

OP: Timings apparently matter less on DDR2 than they do on DDR, but in any case, the whopping 133Mhz difference between those sticks would far outweigh any difference in timings. Get the 800.

which manufacturer would be a good buy?

I like the G Skill HZ.

 

[taltamir]

well, the reason I asked to begin with is because I have a 3800+ which requires little bandwidth, 677 AND 800 are both beastly, AND since its got the memory controller on the CPU it matters more then it does on an intel... But i was sure if it was enough to outweigh that extra 133...

Yea more ram isn't the same category, a better thing to say would be enough ram... my 1GB isn't enough, so i am getting 2 GB....

 

[n7]

RAM with Micron D9 chips is what you want if you're OCing.

See the link in my sig, or just check out these pairs, as they all use D9s, & will all reach around DDR2-1000+ speeds.

I ordered them first-to-last in what'd i'd consider to be best to worst deals:

Crucial 10th Anniversary DDR2-667 3-3-3 - $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148017
Buffalo Firestix DDR2-800 4-4-4 - $245
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054
Team Xtreem DDR2-667 3-3-3 - $275
http://www.tankguys.biz/ddr2-3338-p-167...sCsid=f4298906ac5457e7b0b44172b58de39d
Team Xtreem DDR2-800 4-4-4 - $287.38
http://www.tankguys.biz/ddr2-44410-800m...sCsid=f4298906ac5457e7b0b44172b58de39d
Super Talent DDR2-800 4-4-3 - $292
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026
G.Skill DDR2-800 4-4-4 $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231065
Corsair Dominator DDR2-800 4-4-4 - $315
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145168