What Memory to Buy? To Many Choices

[bh33]

Hi, I'm putting together a new system and it will look like this

Evga nForce 780i SLI 775 A1 Version
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 not sure if I should wait for Penryn or not
2 x EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS Crysis Edition 670MHZ 512MB
RAM - I have no idea there are to many choices.

Basically I want the ablility to overclock at some point and since I'm going SLI do I need speacial SLI memory? Also can I get a good overclock with 6400 or should I go to 8500? And last question does it matter if I buy C4 or C5 memory or are they both about the same performance?

Any input on what RAM to buy would be very much appreciated.

Thanks and Happy New Year.

 

[nyker96]

if you want high performance Ballistix (Tracer optional) is probably one of the top choices you can have. No I don't think you need special SLI memory, as far as I know it's just gimmic.

 

[bh33]

Would this stuff be ok to get a decent overclock Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC2-8500 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Memory Kit W/ LED?

 

[Gillbot]

Crucial Ballistix

 

[sutahz]

It doesn't matter what brand of ram you get. You won't see any real world difference in a $200 set of DDR2-800 and a $50 set of DDR2-800. Maybe one will OC higher, and maybe that one is the $50 set.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134046

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134117

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Any good brand of D9 Micron will be fine.

 

[bh33]

So I'm guessing that C4 vs C5 RAM makes no difference?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: bh33
So I'm guessing that C4 vs C5 RAM makes no difference?

Timings dont play a huge part in performance, while they do help some its not like the difference between the 2 latencies is mind blowing.

 

[bh33]

So which of these would be a higer performace memory

Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC2-8500 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Memory Kit W/ LED (BL2KIT12864AL1065)

or

Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500 DDR2 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit (BL2KIT12864AA1065)?

I'm guessing the Tracer is a better performer?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: bh33
So which of these would be a higer performace memory

Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC2-8500 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Memory Kit W/ LED (BL2KIT12864AL1065)

or

Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500 DDR2 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit (BL2KIT12864AA1065)?

I'm guessing the Tracer is a better performer?

The tracers are the ones with the lights built into the heatsinks, they are VERY cool looking.

 

[n7]

2 GB these days?

Unless you plan on sticking with XP for a long time, i would go 4 GB as it's so cheap.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820161183
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

 

[j0j081]

have fun RMAin if you get Ballistix for ocing.

 

[Jen]

Originally posted by: j0j081
have fun RMAin if you get Ballistix for ocing.

i had to rma some ballistix a month ago and had no problems doing so .


hugs

Jen

 

[JimiP]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Any good brand of D9 Micron will be fine.

Agreed.

Since you can get a 2GB set of DDR2-1066 for a low price now... Go for it.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: Jen

Originally posted by: j0j081
have fun RMAin if you get Ballistix for ocing.

i had to rma some ballistix a month ago and had no problems doing so .


hugs

Jen

I think that was the point jojo was trying to make...that you had to even RMA them to begin with.

But anywho...OP. Since you're OC'ing, you'll want memory that is capable of hitting up 500FSB. I wouldn't buy anything higher than DDR2-1066 memory. You may even be able to find lower binned Micron D9 memory that can OC to near that range.

Getting the Ballistix Tracer is just a waste of money. It's the same thing as the non Tracer, but has an LED readout. Performance is identical. I'd just get regular Ballistix or some other DDR2-1066 memory. And, I'd also pick up 4GB if you can stretch your budget, since memory these days is pretty cheap.