Suggestions on ram for overclocking

[darkcyber]

Ok, I currently have 2 sticks of Corsair CMX512-3200C2 and I'm needing to purchase some more ram for another pc anyways...so I want to purchase 2 sticks of 512 to replace what I have in my current system in my sig below. I have about $125.00 to spend...looking for suggestions of brand and which part that might work better than what I have now.

Thanks!

 

[marshallb]

Don't replace the ram in your system... add on to it for a total of 2 gigs and eliminate(or shrink) your swap file. The response time for switching between apps/games will be instant. btw, you don't need faster than DDR400 for overclocking since you can always use memory dividers to stay under your RAM's maximum speed.

 

[5t3v0]

Adding modules to utilse all 4 slots is not advised if you have an older revision memory controller since you may have to down clock the ram to DDR333. Even with newer controllers, you will have to run at 2T command rate and may find that the OCing ability of the ram is reduced. Of course you can, and probably will have to, use memory dividers but it would be a shame if an "upgrade" caused you to lose performance compared to your curent setup. I toyed with the idea of adding 2 more 512 moules but went for 2x1Gb in the end. I would advise the same but the ram to get depends on your budget. There's a very strong argument against spending big $$$ on performance ram since the boost to game performance is marginal compared to value ram. Check out Zebo's thread on this subject.

Here's a bunch of recent threads on chosing memory:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1802758
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1803632
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1801446
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1788203

Incidentally, did you mean chosing memory for overclocking itself, the cpu or both?

 

[darkcyber]

Thanks for the help and for the links...the links were very useful.

Buffered or unbuffered make any difference?

 

[5t3v0]

Unbuffered. Socket 939 doesnt support registered. Unbuffered ECC is supported I think but its a waste of money (if you can find it).

Here's a good article on the A64 memory controller: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/athlon64-e3-mem.html

Edit: Here's another article on the differences between unbuffered, registered and ECC: http://www.2cpu.com/articles/44_1.html

 

[darkcyber]

What about thoughts on these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820211014


http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...de=141493&Category_Code=Unbuffered_DDR


And thanks for the links...checking those out right now

 

[5t3v0]

Dunno m8, never owned either of these brands but I believe they are both good. They are certainly great deals. You should see how much we have to pay for stuff in the UK. I did a quick google & found someone at Hardforum who had run his ADATA at 2.5-3-2-8 1T @ 230MHz. That's better timings that my G.Skill can do at 229Mz and they are DDR500! I see it gets 5 stars from 41 customer reviews on Newegg (if that means anything). Couldn't find anything about the Patriot.