Which is the best memory?

[computergeek22]

I am going to be using an A8R-MVP mobo and want to overclock. As I am new to overclocking on an AMD64 platform, I want to know what is some good memory for o/cing. Obviously I won't be able to use BH5 memory so I was looking at two dual channel kits: 1gb OCZ PC3200 Revision 2 or Geil One TCCD 1gb. Will using dividers hinder system performance? I was thinking of using divideres to keep tight timings on the ram. Is it suggested that the CPU and Ram run at 1:1 ratios? What is the benefit of 1:1 if any? I was leaning towards the OCZ modules because they are approx 30 bucks cheaper and they were also included in the AT review of the board I wish to buy. All help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Shimmishim]

why can't you use bh-5?

dividers don't hinder performance on the amd platform.

i too am waiting for the a8r-mvp mobo...

ocz plat rev 2 v1.1 is good stuff... so is the geil one tccd...

 

[computergeek22]

For good performance from BH5 you need good voltage like 3.5v what's available on the DFI mobos; the asus only pumps out 3.2v. If dividers are okay to use and faster timings yield better performance wouldn't it be better to go with the Geil ram which gives 1.5-2-2-5 timings. Also I was kinda confused by the AT review on the OCZ gold vs the Platinum rev 2. It showed the platinum as being faster memory when running at DDR636 with a 100 mhz faster CPU. IF this is true then how can using dividers be better? How do the timings affect performance? I understand that these 3 (Gold 4000 VX (seems ur suggesting I can run it....), Geil One, OCZ Rev 2) are all very good overclocking memories. For my setup which is with the A8R and an opteron, which memory will give me the best performance? If all are about the same performance level then I'd go with the cheaper ram which is the OCZ Rev 2.

 

[computergeek22]

*bump

 

[Lyfer]

ATM, G.Skill 1gb (512x2) DDR400 TCCD ram for $150 from newegg. (check hotdeals)

 

[computergeek22]

That memory is $160 w/tax which I have to pay because Newegg is in Cali. I'm getting the OCZ PC3200 Rev2 from monarch for $160 should I go for the OCZ PC3200?

 

[computergeek22]

Comparitively the Geil One TCCD is approx 200 bucks. Worth the extra $40 for tighter timings?

 

[JohnAn2112]

Go with the PC3200 Plat Rev 2 from OCZ. Save yourself 40 bucks. You'll be happy with it.

 

[fire400]

Originally posted by: JohnAn2112
Go with the PC3200 Plat Rev 2 from OCZ. Save yourself 40 bucks. You'll be happy with it.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: computergeek22
It showed the platinum as being faster memory when running at DDR636 with a 100 mhz faster CPU. IF this is true then how can using dividers be better? How do the timings affect performance?

Just what the doctor ordered
Notice the minor differences in games appear at 1024x768. By 1600x1200, all benefits of low ram timings will dissappear. Similarly, running your system at 200FSB:200RAM(ie.pc3200), 300FSB:200RAM and 300FSB:300ram all give similar performance (except WinRAR).

For my setup which is with the A8R and an opteron, which memory will give me the best performance? If all are about the same performance level then I'd go with the cheaper ram which is the OCZ Rev 2.

Wow you are bright for just 5 posts. You see people with 2000 posts or more still recommending $300 ram....For ram you want to generally buy More for Less. Timings and speed above PC3200 are generally not worth it given that they add about 5% for about 100% price increase.

Gskill had 2 gigs of ram for $185 at 2-3-2-5. Since it's only $10 more than CAS 3 Value ram, in this case it makes sense to go for slightly more expensive set. It was out of stock on Newegg, so check if they are back in stock (plus they might raise the price).

Imo it's better to get 2 gigs of ram that wont overclock and have CAS 3 timings than 1 gig of the best stuff for nearly same price. A-DATA Vitesta 2GB (2 x 1GB) - $175 You'll certainly feel the difference of 2 gigs (at stock speeds) in Battlefield 2, Call of Duty and probably Quake 4. But even if you ran 1 gig at DDR600 1.5-2-2-5 which OCZ Rev 2 will never do, the 2 gigs will provide a smoother experience.

With that in mind, you can still reuse your old ram if it's PC3200....no need to waste money on worthless upgrades as has been shown by the article I linked for you.

 

[computergeek22]

However, having a 2 1GB modules would mean I would need to run at 2T am I correct or is that only for 4 modules? Also, I believe 2t gives a performance hit. If in the end the 2gb Ram seems a better choice, would I then proceed to use a divider to not overclock the Ram but still overclock the FSB? Thanks for all the help.

Unluckily, I had to learn my lesson the hard way. I bought extremely cheap "overclocked" ram from a third-party vendor and got cheated into PC2100 Ram. Thus I don't think I'll be able to reuse that.

 

[Mogadon]

It's only running 4 sticks of RAM which drops the command rate to 2T, 2*1GB will run 1T.

Overclocking with 2GB is the same as with any amount of RAM. Either use a divider and tight timings or overclock the RAM and loosen the timings, I think it's generally considered better to have the tighter timings but you may as well try both and run a few benchmarks to test each option.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: computergeek22
However, having a 2 1GB modules would mean I would need to run at 2T am I correct or is that only for 4 modules?

Only applies for 4 modules - thats why I also dont recommend getting 1 gig since later when you upgrade you'll be stuck with 4x512mb and 2T.

If in the end the 2gb Ram seems a better choice, would I then proceed to use a divider to not overclock the Ram but still overclock the FSB? Thanks for all the help.

For a similar price, I'd choose 2 gigs over 1 gig. I cant think of anyone on these forums who wouldn't agree that for gaming 2 gigs, irregardless of timings, will simply produce a smoother framerate and faster loading times over the fastest 1 gig of ram out there. You can use the divider like you mentioned and keep the ram speed at PC3200 or so.

 

[computergeek22]

The reason for my hesitance to go to 2gb is not because I doubt what you are saying but I am on the limit of my budget and can't seem to find any 2gb kits for less than $200 (I'm obviously including shipping/tax).

Also how much of a performance increase can be felt w/2gb rather than 1gb?

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: computergeek22

Also how much of a performance increase can be felt w/2gb rather than 1gb?

The problem with that is average framerates rarely capture decreases in game loading times or lags associated in games like BF2. you should ask some users who play those games (my videocard is too slow so it doesnt matter even if i have 10 gigs).

Here is an example of what I am talking about:

World of Warcraft on A64 4000+ & 6800Ultra:

256mb of ram: 53 frames
512mb of ram: 54 frames (+2%)
1gig of ram: 58 frames (+9.4%)

as a general rule of thumb, any increases less than 10% will not be felt by the end user. But are average framerates in this case indicative of true performance?

"Anytime you walk into heavy area such as a major city, your system will need to load all the new data. The video will stutter until it catches up with all the new material."

Just download the VIDEO in the top right hand corner to see the actual difference between smoothness by going from 256 to 512 to 1 gig in WOW.

It seems that this game benefits from 1 gig and is much smoother. What the latest trend is -- current games found a sweet spot at 2 gigs, what 1 gig used to be (ie. for WOW).

Of course this is only relevant if you have a high end graphics card or plan on upgrading to a high end card. If you have as low graphics card, you'll be bottlenecked way before ram.