Recommended DDR2-800 for C2D???

[Skyguy]

Looking for OC'ing 800 RAM on a budget to get a 6300 over 3.0 ghz. This may require loosening the timings to CL5 so I wonder if paying for CL4 is worth it in the end anyways?

Here are the options (am in Canada, so choices are more limited than in the States):

CL5
-OCZ Gold XTC DDR2-800 @ 5-5-5-15 - $250
-G.Skill F2 DDR2-800 @ 5-5-5-15 - $265
-Mushkin EM DDR2-800 @ 5-5-5-15 - $280
-Patriot Extreme DDR2-800 @ 5-5-4-9 - $300
-Corsair XMS2 TWIN DDR2-800 @ 5-5-5-12 - $300

Price difference on these is fairly close, so saving $$ is not a top priority (although the money saved could be put to better CPU HSF).


So, 2 questions:

1) is CL4 needed and/or worth extra $$?
2) which RAM would perform the best and why?

Am interested in reviews/analysis/experience if possible......no fanboy brand stuff please........

Much appreciated.

 

[Rike]

For #1 --> Generally, no. As ram speed increases and you loosen timings, the higher speed of the ram generally more than offsets the higher latency settings (unless it's really loose).

For #2 -->http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1966035&enterthread=y

 

[AznSensation]

At Newegg, there's Patriot DDR2-800 2gig kit for $245 after 40 MIR. this is the one with micron chip. Get this one. Best bang for buck.

 

[Skyguy]

Can't go Newegg.......they don't ship to Canada


And I COMPLETELY missed the RAM sticky. My bad. I PM'd Yoxxy for advice though