What's this G-skill stuff like?

[downhiller80]

Trying to pick 4GB of memory, but don't really know much about it.

I'm getting an E6750 that I hope to overclock a mild amount (3-3.2GHz ish).

That proc is 333FSB yeah, so running at "normal" speeds I need memory capable of 667MHz I think. If I overclock to 3.2GHz that's a 400FSB, so any memory rated for 800MHz should be OK. Is that how it works?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/...701&catid=8&subcat=813

Is that stuff recommended? Failig that what would you recommend and why?

cheers

 

[Cheex]

I ordered these:
F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

They use the Micron D9HNL ICs.


The ones you linked to, are said to run on PowerChips ICs but I have no confirmation on those.

 

[996GT2]

Looking at the DDR2 RAM list (see below), the DDR2-800 G.Skill PK sticks use either Elpida or Promos chips, neither of which are the best for overclocking. However, it should overclock to 900 MHz and above if you loosen the timings to 5-5-5-15. Not a bad deal if you aren't planning to do some heavy memory overclocking (in that case I would recommend the G.Skill HZ kit, which uses Micron D9GMH chips that are better for overclocking).

Here is a link to almost every DDR2 DIMM and what ICs they use:
http://ramlist.ath.cx/ddr2/

 

[Mondoman]

Originally posted by: sebfrost
...
That proc is 333FSB yeah, so running at "normal" speeds I need memory capable of 667MHz I think. If I overclock to 3.2GHz that's a 400FSB, so any memory rated for 800MHz should be OK. Is that how it works?...

Yes, exactly right.
However, note that many manufacturers try to confuse the consumer by advertising their modules according to factory-sanctioned overclocked specs, rather than by standard DDR2 specs. Any specs that require a module voltage higher than 1.9V are overclock specs, since the DDR2 spec is 1.8V +/- 0.1V.

 

[downhiller80]

Hmmm, I went for this stuff in the end after reading up about CAS and deciding I wasn't that bothered whether the stuff was CAS5 or CAS4:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/...t.php?prodid=MY-019-GS

I'm sure it'll be perfectly adequate for my needs.

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: sebfrost
Hmmm, I went for this stuff in the end after reading up about CAS and deciding I wasn't that bothered whether the stuff was CAS5 or CAS4:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/...t.php?prodid=MY-019-GS

I'm sure it'll be perfectly adequate for my needs.

Good choice. I bought the same kit. Getting it later today.

 

[sutahz]

I have 2 sets of 2x2GB G.Skill. 1 is a 800MHz kit, the other is a 1000MHz kit. 800MHz I got to 1050MHz, 1000MHz I got to 1100MHz. I used 5-5-5-15 timings because what I've read and tested, ram timings dont mean jack.

 

[downhiller80]

Ya know it's funny, this system has only been built an hour, and already I'm thinking I might buy another one of these kits to give me a tasty 8gb (yes, I am running vista 64)...

You can never have too much of this shit and you know it

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: sutahz
I have 2 sets of 2x2GB G.Skill. 1 is a 800MHz kit, the other is a 1000MHz kit. 800MHz I got to 1050MHz, 1000MHz I got to 1100MHz. I used 5-5-5-15 timings because what I've read and tested, ram timings dont mean jack.

How much voltage you put through the 800 RAM to get them to 1050?

I have them but I'm only running 860 on 1.9V for now.

 

[downhiller80]

Well I can highly recommend this RAM if you're on a budget and don't want to pay for 1000MHz stuff. Currently running it at 475FSB (950MHz) at stock voltage with no problems!

 

[ozias1]

Cheex, quick question...

Newegg has the G.Skill kit your using here for 95.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

but they have the PC2 8000 here for 115.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145

Is it really worth the 20 bucks difference in price?

I'm leaning towards the PC2 6400 kit, and would think a slight bump in voltage that the $95 sticks could achieve the DDR2 1000 speeds that the $115 sticks are rated for.

mobo will be the Abit IP35 Pro w/e8400 Wolfdale chip....but it won't be here for a few days, as it's on the West Coast and I'm on the East Coast.

 

[Hauk]

I bought 8GB of the PC2 8000 and can't break the 1000Mhz barrier because bios setting they refer to below maxes out at 42 for my Asus P5E. Messed with all other timings and slight bump to voltage, no avail:

Manufacturer Response:hi
make sure your trfc is 52 or higher.
thank you
GSKILL USA REP

I'm stuck at 962 for now, emailing Asus to see if they'll include a higher setting in future bios revision.

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: ozias1
Cheex, quick question...

Newegg has the G.Skill kit your using here for 95.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

but they have the PC2 8000 here for 115.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145

Is it really worth the 20 bucks difference in price?

I'm leaning towards the PC2 6400 kit, and would think a slight bump in voltage that the $95 sticks could achieve the DDR2 1000 speeds that the $115 sticks are rated for.

mobo will be the Abit IP35 Pro w/e8400 Wolfdale chip....but it won't be here for a few days, as it's on the West Coast and I'm on the East Coast.

Well, I've run my 800 at 1000 with 2.0V

That being said, I don't think it is worth the price difference.
As has been confirmed recently, this kit started out using Micron D9HNL ICs...
Now they are using Powerchip ICs (apparently the same ones as the 1000 kit).

So...that means that the 800 kit (1.8V - 1.9V) will more than likely do 1000 @ 2.0V - 2.1V...same as the 1000 kit is rated for.

Mine did with 2.0V, if I ran it longer there and noticed any instability, 2.1V would have solved the problem.

I think the 800 wins this round.

 

[ozias1]

Thanks for the reply Cheex.

I'll stick with the PC 6400 set, as that's the one I was leaning towards.

 

[Markfw]

Well, I have a brand new set of 2x1 gb Gskill PC-8500 back from warranty, and they won;t run above 470 on the same motherboard, using factory settings, as my Crucial will run on that board at 490 ! (may be the board limit)

And this is the third set of Gskill memory in 2 months I have had to rma, and today I just called in the second set of crucial memory to RMA.

And no, its not my motherboards, as they all now sport OCZ memory, and are just fine. Except for todays set, the rest have all been PC-8000 that I sent in, todays set was PC-6400.

 

[crownjules]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Well, I have a brand new set of 2x1 gb Gskill PC-8500 back from warranty, and they won;t run above 470 on the same motherboard, using factory settings, as my Crucial will run on that board at 490 ! (may be the board limit)

I'm sure you already know this, but just in case you don't (and for others reading) -

"Factory default" voltage settings are, as many know, set at ~1.8v for VRAM. When RAM is listed, it's rating is supposed to be at the factory default 1.8v. For lots of RAM (I think it's more a case with DDR2), you actually have to bump the volts up to get the advertised speeds. For example, if you're talking about these G.Skill modules then the specs on Newegg state that it'll run at 533 mHz with 2.3-2.4 volts. That's no doubt why you're getting the less then stellar speeds. Running at 1.8v doesn't give em the juice they need to hit their full potential.