What type of DDR2 should I get for high performance applications/services?

[JohnVM]

[removed]

 

[Mondoman]

It won't matter, since the FSB limits RAM throughput. As long as you're running your RAM in dual-channel mode, and are running the memory bus at a speed so its throughput matches or exceeds the FSB's throughput, you're fine. If you are not OCing, your FSB datarate is 1066MHz, so running RAM at DDR2-533 will be fine. If you are OCing to a 1333MHz FSB datarate, then run your RAM at DDR2-667 speed.
What *will* make a big difference is to upgrade to faster hard drives, such as Raptors, and to use a separate drive for the OS vs for the database.

 

[JohnVM]

So I don't need ram over 667Mhz? How about latencies? Some 667's have lower latencies than others.

Also, what's the point of like 1000mhz ram then? Just for OC'ers?

 

[Mondoman]

Lower latencies are always better, but in practice, as with superfast RAM, don't make much of a noticeable difference. Given the cheap prices of RAM these days, I would get DDR2-800 RAM (rated at 1.8-1.9V).
As long as you have enough RAM, the biggest factors affecting perceived user speed are CPU core speed and hard disk speed. Unfortunately, superfast hard disks for consumer systems are a bit thin on the ground. Raptors aren't bad, but if you can afford a SCSI controller and 15k rpm SCSI drives, you'll have a snappy system.

 

[JohnVM]

Okay. Thanks a lot for the help.

Any particular recco's on what specific RAM to get? It looks like on newegg that buying 2 4GB kits is cheaper than buying 1 8GB kit.

Here's a direct link to the 4GB kits: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...5794&name=4GB(2+x+2GB)

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Mondoman]

The Mushkin ($88 after rebate) looks good. I'd stick with memory that (a) has heat spreaders and (b) is rated at 1.8V, not higher.