Which Mem for my new system?

[Williamea]

Well I just RMA'd my Crucial Ballistix. Had 4x1gb pc6400
I tried them at 555-15 @1.8v and 444-12 @2.2v and 1 of the 4 sticks kept failing Memtest and would cause BSODs. So I RMA'd them and looking for suggestions on what to try next.

The Mem will be going with the following:
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R rev 2.1
Intel E8400
Evga 8800 GT

I will not be overclocking anytime soon but might in the future.
I plan on going 2x2gb

Should I stick with the PC6400 or jump to pc8500?
Any suggestions on brand. Corsair? OCZ?


Thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

DDR2 = FSB*2
E8400 stock FSB = 333MHz

If you are leaving your stuff at stock, you can go as low as DDR2-667. DDR2-1000 will downclock to 667 speed if you leave your PC stock.

 

[taltamir]

If you get DDR2-800 ram it will run asynchronously and give you faster ram speeds. It will have separate FSB speed for the system and for the CPU itself. So you will still get full speed.

So there will be no downclocking of 800mhz ram to 667mhz. IT WILL downclock DDR-1000 to DDR-800. But that is becuase the DDR2 standard only goes up to 800. If your DDR2 dimm is rated for 1000 or 1066 it is basically guaranteed to OVERCLOCK that high.

 

[JustaGeek]

Get the 2x2GB Ballistix:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...83&Tpk=4gb%2bballistix

It's a totally different memory than your 4x1GB memory.

 

[Baked]

I've always had luck w/ OCZ memory. Running some 2x1GB platinum 6400 on the gigabyte P965, and some sli-ready 2x2GB 6400 on the abit IP35-pro.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Get the 2x2GB Ballistix:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...83&Tpk=4gb%2bballistix

It's a totally different memory than your 4x1GB memory.

besides the capacity, how is it different?

 

[Williamea]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Get the 2x2GB Ballistix:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...83&Tpk=4gb%2bballistix

It's a totally different memory than your 4x1GB memory.

I'm guessing its a different brand of chip? Dunno if I want to try it again after all of the RMA stories I have been reading about.

 

[JustaGeek]

Based on n7's information:

"Keep in mind it's not the same ICs as in the 2x1 GB kits, which are 90nm ICs [D9GMH/X].
All the newer Crucial [that uses Micron] is 78nm, & clocking is worse thus far with that on the 2x1 GB kits.

2x2 GB is different story though, as the only Micron that was used much in 2 GB dimms prior to the unknown IC in the kit you ordered was what Mushkin used on their older 2x2 GB kits, D9GSV. "

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2170269&enterthread=y

You can google for more reviews of the Ballistix 4GB kits.

EDIT: SPD info,

Field Value
Memory Module Properties
Module Name Crucial Tech.
Module Size 2 GB (2 ranks, 8 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered DIMM
Memory Type DDR2 SDRAM
Memory Speed DDR2-800 (400 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 1.8
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings
@ 400 MHz 5-5-5-18 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 23-51-3-6-3-3 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)
@ 333 MHz 4-5-5-15 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 20-43-3-5-3-3 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)

Enhanced Performance Profile
Profile Name High Performance
Optimal Performance Profile Yes
Memory Speed DDR2-800 (400 MHz)
Voltage 2.2 V
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Row Cycle Time (tRC) 24T
Command Rate (CR) 2T
Write Recovery Time (tWR) 6T

Enhanced Performance Profile
Profile Name High Frequency
Optimal Performance Profile No
Memory Speed DDR2-1000 (500 MHz)
Voltage 2.2 V
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Row Cycle Time (tRC) 30T
Command Rate (CR) 2T
Write Recovery Time (tWR) 8T