which memory for moderately overclocked 2.4c or 2.8c?

[scryber]

I'm getting parts together for a new computer, the main parts of which will be either a 2.4c or 2.8c, and either an Abit IS7 or Asus P4P800.

I only plan to do a moderate, conservative overclock: 250FSB for 2.4c, or 225-230FSB for 2.8c.

My quesion is simple: what memory should I get for this modest overclocking goal? I'm assuming that for something like this (less aggressive overclocking) that there should be some options that are both reliable and affordable. (I emphasize affordable because I don't see much benefit on paying a premium price for memory that negates any savings you had on the cheaper CPU.)

I intend to get two 512MB sticks for dual channel. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

 

[smahoney]

Well you can look at this a few ways - If your target is 250MHz FSB with the 2.4 and you don't mind running a 5:4 mem divider than you can go with PC3200. If you are going with the 2.8 at 225-230MHz FSB than you will want to look at some of the PC3500 or PC3700 which will cost more for both the CPU and Memory but will give you a 1:1 mem divider. On the other hand the M0 stepping chips are going to 3.5GHz pretty easily. That would be about 275MHz(3.3GHz) FSB for a 2.4 with PC3700 mem with a 5:4 divider (220MHz mem) or 250MHz FSB (3.5GHz) for the 2.8 with PC3200 mem with a 5:4 divider. I run a 2.8 at 250 with PC4000 with a 1:1 mem divider but a 5:4 with PC3200 would still be pretty good - just get a better heatsink and a good M0 stepping chip. Also look at the AI7 over the IS7.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I'd also recommend running with a divider, unless the price difference between PC3200 and PC3500 memory is not that great. I'd buy some normal name brand PC3200.

 

[scryber]

Is low latency RAM (2-2-2) a requirement? I'm hoping not because that is the stuff that costs the most.

 

[WobbleWobble]

No, you'll be fine with 3-3-3-8 PC3200.

 

[scryber]

What do you think of Komusa 4200 hyperam? Way more speed than I was looking for, but the price is good.

 

[scryber]

Originally posted by: smahoney
Also look at the AI7 over the IS7.

What's the benefit of the AI7 over the IS7?

 

[smahoney]

Since your goal seems to be moderate overclocking the AI7 is geared for FSB speeds lower than 250MHz and has several advanced features specifically to make it easier to overclock than the IS7. Neither are in the range of the IC7 series of boards however. Again its what your budget will support as far as mobo, cpu and memory. look at what your target speeds are and what is attainable for your budget mixing different component mixes. What are you planning on for cooling, case and power supply - not to mention video and hard drives?

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: scryber

Originally posted by: smahoney
Also look at the AI7 over the IS7.

What's the benefit of the AI7 over the IS7?

AI7 comes with uGuru so you can do all your overclocking from windows (adjust voltage, fsb, etc)... and offers ram voltage up to 3.2 volts

those are some that i know of...

 

[scryber]

Originally posted by: smahoney
What are you planning on for cooling, case and power supply - not to mention video and hard drives?

Cooling will be the stock retail heatsink. The case is an Antec with three internal fans. Power supply will be an Antec 430 watt.

Video will be 9800 Pro, hard drives will be 120GB Maxtor and two 30GB Maxtors in a Fasttrak IDE RAID.

I plan to use the motherboard's onboard LAN and firewire.