Which memory is the best - 3700 or 3500

[borgmang]

I'm in the process of building a system and I would like to know all of your thoughts on what memory makes sense for my situation? I work on large graphic files(100-300mb), as well as I'd like a system to be able to play all the latest and greatest games.

It would be great if I could also get all of your thoughts on advantages of more than 1 gig of memory. Here's my system below - please feel free to critique.

Motherboard: ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe
Processor: Intel P4 2.8C 800-Retail
Case: Cooler Master Model# ATC-201B-BXT
Power Supply: Antec True480
RAM: Corsair XMS - 2 x 512MB PC-3700, or 2x 512 pc-3500 w/platinum heat spreaders or regular?
HD: 2x Raptors or 2x WDSE Raid 0, additional WD SE b/u or maybe 2?
DVD-RW: Sony DRU510A
DVD/CDRW: Samsung SM-352BRNS
Video Card:ATI AIW 9800 Pro
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum

 

[Confused]

For the best peformance, you will want the ones with the lowest/most aggressive timings.

Generally, as you move up to higher speeds (3700 as opposed to 3500) you will have to lower/relax the timings to get it stable at that speed.


Confused

 

[Slammy1]

I've heard that board has some memory issues, I'd look to see what others are running successfully and go with that. Don't worry so much on speed or timings, first is stability. Bleh, I'm not as good with systems as most here, but I just had to comment given my current rig. Consider the 2.6C instead of the 2.8.

 

[bacillus]

if you want to o/clock using 1:1 then pc3700 ram, otherwise the pc3500 will suffice!

 

[nick1985]

also look at the timings

 

[bendixG15]

go into the motherboard forum and read all about
your Asus mobo --- lots of info for you
Good Luck

 

[gramboh]

I'm pretty sure those sticks of RAM are the same.

In fact I think the TwinX, PC3200LL, XMS 3500C2 and XMS 3700 are all using the same Winbond RAM chips but each have different RAM timings.

TwinX/3200LL = 2-3-2-6 @ DDR 400 (used to be listed as 2-2-2-6 but it's hard to get these timings in dual channel on 865/875)

XMS 3500C2 = 2-3-3-7 @ DDR 434

XMS 3700 = 3-4-4-8 @ DDR 466

My guess is that each stick of ram could possibly run at all 3 settings, since you just have to relax the timings as you increase speed. I have yet to push my XMS 3500 over DDR 434 but I will be trying for DDR 460 (2.6 @ 3.0GHz 1:1).

Since this appears to be a work machine for you, I assume you won't be OC'ing and would prefer stability. In this case I would get the 3200LL and try to run the lowest timings possible at DDR 400 (it will vary by each stick of ram, I had TwinX512 that would run 2-2-2-5 but with one gig I can only hit 2-3-2-6). You could argue that higher speed RAM is more "future proof" but personally the next system I upgrade to will probably need at least DDR 500 or DDR-II might be out by then.

Get at least 1 gig, if you are going to get more you might have problems with dual channel, I think you'd have to go 4 x 512 since my understanding is with Intel dual channel both "channels" need the same amount/speed of RAM (with AMD you can do things like one channel 2 x 512 and one channel 1 x 1gig).

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: bacillus
if you want to o/clock using 1:1 then pc3700 ram, otherwise the pc3500 will suffice!

Get the 3500, the 3700 for the most part is just overclocked 3500...

You can run a 217FSB with DDR 3500... Relax the timings some and you can go higher... It should be plenty..

 

[borgmang]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: bacillus
if you want to o/clock using 1:1 then pc3700 ram, otherwise the pc3500 will suffice!

Get the 3500, the 3700 for the most part is just overclocked 3500...

You can run a 217FSB with DDR 3500... Relax the timings some and you can go higher... It should be plenty..

Which Heat Spreader is best for the Corsair CMX512-3500C2? The regular Black heat spreader or the Platinum Silver heat spreader. I really ned to know because I'm ready to order 2 gigs ASAP for new system.

Also, is this the right Corsair memory (CMX512-3500C2), and are there any other reliable sources other than New Egg or Googlegear? In case I have any problems in future I want a reliable source. Both New Egg and Googlegear are b/o on this item.

Thanks......

 

[Fallengod]

Originally posted by: borgmang

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: bacillus
if you want to o/clock using 1:1 then pc3700 ram, otherwise the pc3500 will suffice!

Get the 3500, the 3700 for the most part is just overclocked 3500...

You can run a 217FSB with DDR 3500... Relax the timings some and you can go higher... It should be plenty..

Which Heat Spreader is best for the Corsair CMX512-3500C2? The regular Black heat spreader or the Platinum Silver heat spreader. I really ned to know because I'm ready to order 2 gigs ASAP for new system.

Also, is this the right Corsair memory (CMX512-3500C2), and are there any other reliable sources other than New Egg or Googlegear? In case I have any problems in future I want a reliable source. Both New Egg and Googlegear are b/o on this item.

Thanks......

Ummmmm, well do you want silver or black. Pick a color.

 

[Nebor]

I got Corsair TwinX3200LLPT from Fry's for 260 bucks... I had no idea what PT meant... mine are black. What a scam. I wanted to be all blang blang w/ my ram.

 

[borgmang]

So no performance/better cooling difference between the Black or Platinum Silver heat spreaders?

Also, is this the right Corsair memory (CMX512-3500C2), and are there any other reliable sources other than New Egg or Googlegear? In case I have any problems in future I want a reliable source. Both New Egg and Googlegear are b/o on this item.

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: borgmang
So no performance/better cooling difference between the Black or Platinum Silver heat spreaders?

Also, is this the right Corsair memory (CMX512-3500C2), and are there any other reliable sources other than New Egg or Googlegear? In case I have any problems in future I want a reliable source. Both New Egg and Googlegear are b/o on this item.

The two heatspreaders perform identically, the only difference is the colors. It's a "viva la choice" kind of thing. Mushkin has about six different colored heatspreaders for their RAM.

I heard that Corsair dropped the PC3500 from their lineup and are replacing it with the 3700. Take a spin over to the Corsair Memory Forums and see what you can turn up.

 

[borgmang]

I took a look at the Corsair Memory Forums, and this is what I found. Does anybody know if what is listed below is true? If so, should I get the 3700'?

RAM GUY...I just had a question for you. Here's my situation. I bought a stick of XMS3200c2 512mb last fall. I LOVE this stick of ram. It works great. It runs stable at 446Mhz @ 2 3 3 6. Because I had such good experiences with this memory, I decided to get another exact same stick (for my abit IC7!). Well, I ordered one and to my dismay, it would barely run 400Mhz stably with 2.7 volts. So I figured that my stick must have been faulty because it wouldn't even run pc3200 speeds at default voltage. I sent the stick back and got a stick of PC3500c2 instead. I wanted to be sure that I could run as fast as my original stick. Well, I got this stick yesterday and it has the same issue. It barely runs stable at rated pc3500 (433mhz) with increased voltage at 2.7 volts. ????

I've heard that corsair started putting their best memory chips in there highest sticks of ram... Does the xms pc3500c2 memory not have as good of chips now that you offer twinx?

Anyways, I was sooo happy with my first stick and I find it very odd that I should receive to bum sticks in a row. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Slammy1]

Did you ever see the Simpson's where Homer and Barney do the Duff brewery tour? They're talking about 3 new brands of Duff, but it's actually 1 pipe leading to 3 tanks with different names on them. It's my understanding that memory production is like that. They make the RAM, test it at given settings, and if it's fast they throw it in one box, if it's slower they throw it in another.

 

[borgmang]

Originally posted by: borgmang
I took a look at the Corsair Memory Forums, and this is what I found. Does anybody know if what is listed below is true? If so, should I get the 3700'?

RAM GUY...I just had a question for you. Here's my situation. I bought a stick of XMS3200c2 512mb last fall. I LOVE this stick of ram. It works great. It runs stable at 446Mhz @ 2 3 3 6. Because I had such good experiences with this memory, I decided to get another exact same stick (for my abit IC7!). Well, I ordered one and to my dismay, it would barely run 400Mhz stably with 2.7 volts. So I figured that my stick must have been faulty because it wouldn't even run pc3200 speeds at default voltage. I sent the stick back and got a stick of PC3500c2 instead. I wanted to be sure that I could run as fast as my original stick. Well, I got this stick yesterday and it has the same issue. It barely runs stable at rated pc3500 (433mhz) with increased voltage at 2.7 volts. ????

I've heard that corsair started putting their best memory chips in there highest sticks of ram... Does the xms pc3500c2 memory not have as good of chips now that you offer twinx?

Anyways, I was sooo happy with my first stick and I find it very odd that I should receive to bum sticks in a row. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

I under stand, but read above - should I get the 3700'?

 

[borgmang]

Bump

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Will you be overclocking or not?

If you aren't, I'd reccomend the Intel 875P board which will be very stable and will perform within 1 or 2% of the Asus very likely. As for the RAM, I'd just make sure that they run at Cas 2 and you should be fin. If no overclocking is invloved, just get PC3200 as you won't benefit from PC3500 since it can only use the bandwidth PC3200 provides.

 

[borgmang]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Will you be overclocking or not?

If you aren't, I'd reccomend the Intel 875P board which will be very stable and will perform within 1 or 2% of the Asus very likely. As for the RAM, I'd just make sure that they run at Cas 2 and you should be fin. If no overclocking is invloved, just get PC3200 as you won't benefit from PC3500 since it can only use the bandwidth PC3200 provides.

Yes I want to OC, and I'm really curious about the validity of whether Corsair has dropped their 3500 and replacing with 3700. As you can read about below from Corsair memory forums. What I am really asking is whether to get the 3700 instead of the 3500, because of the claim that the 3500 won't even run 3200 speeds, because Corsair has started putting thier best memory chips in the 3700. This happened twice in a row to this guy.

RAM GUY...I just had a question for you. Here's my situation. I bought a stick of XMS3200c2 512mb last fall. I LOVE this stick of ram. It works great. It runs stable at 446Mhz @ 2 3 3 6. Because I had such good experiences with this memory, I decided to get another exact same stick (for my abit IC7!). Well, I ordered one and to my dismay, it would barely run 400Mhz stably with 2.7 volts. So I figured that my stick must have been faulty because it wouldn't even run pc3200 speeds at default voltage. I sent the stick back and got a stick of PC3500c2 instead. I wanted to be sure that I could run as fast as my original stick. Well, I got this stick yesterday and it has the same issue. It barely runs stable at rated pc3500 (433mhz) with increased voltage at 2.7 volts. ????

I've heard that corsair started putting their best memory chips in there highest sticks of ram... Does the xms pc3500c2 memory not have as good of chips now that you offer twinx?

Anyways, I was sooo happy with my first stick and I find it very odd that I should receive to bum sticks in a row. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

 

[borgmang]

Bump

 

[JohnPaul]

Well, some boards are finicky with it, but I love my HyperX, and so do most people who's boards don't have issues with it. I have a gig of it and run it in dual channel 512mb x 2 at the most advanced timings and it's super fast.

 

[Actaeon]

Just get the PC3700 for the peace of mind. Obviously you'd worry yourself to death if you go the PC3500. If you have the cash, go for it. I think its a little bit too expensive, but if you're buying 2gigs of this stuff, you probally don't care.

 

[Dug]

Aren't they all 5ns ram chips?

 

[borgmang]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Just get the PC3700 for the peace of mind. Obviously you'd worry yourself to death if you go the PC3500. If you have the cash, go for it. I think its a little bit too expensive, but if you're buying 2gigs of this stuff, you probally don't care.

Okay - so you say to go ahead and get the 3700's. Which ones should I get - the Corsair XMS 512mb single sticks, or the Corsair TwinXMS matched pairs? Also, if you don't mind can you or somebody explain why single is better than TwinXMS or vice versa.

And your sure that this is a better way to go as far as performance, and the future? A lot of people keep pushing the 3500 Corsair XMS single sticks or the Kingston 3500 HyperX single sticks.

Thanks for all input.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: borgmang

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Will you be overclocking or not?

If you aren't, I'd reccomend the Intel 875P board which will be very stable and will perform within 1 or 2% of the Asus very likely. As for the RAM, I'd just make sure that they run at Cas 2 and you should be fin. If no overclocking is invloved, just get PC3200 as you won't benefit from PC3500 since it can only use the bandwidth PC3200 provides.

Yes I want to OC, and I'm really curious about the validity of whether Corsair has dropped their 3500 and replacing with 3700. As you can read about below from Corsair memory forums. What I am really asking is whether to get the 3700 instead of the 3500, because of the claim that the 3500 won't even run 3200 speeds, because Corsair has started putting thier best memory chips in the 3700. This happened twice in a row to this guy.

RAM GUY...I just had a question for you. Here's my situation. I bought a stick of XMS3200c2 512mb last fall. I LOVE this stick of ram. It works great. It runs stable at 446Mhz @ 2 3 3 6. Because I had such good experiences with this memory, I decided to get another exact same stick (for my abit IC7!). Well, I ordered one and to my dismay, it would barely run 400Mhz stably with 2.7 volts. So I figured that my stick must have been faulty because it wouldn't even run pc3200 speeds at default voltage. I sent the stick back and got a stick of PC3500c2 instead. I wanted to be sure that I could run as fast as my original stick. Well, I got this stick yesterday and it has the same issue. It barely runs stable at rated pc3500 (433mhz) with increased voltage at 2.7 volts. ????

I've heard that corsair started putting their best memory chips in there highest sticks of ram... Does the xms pc3500c2 memory not have as good of chips now that you offer twinx?

Anyways, I was sooo happy with my first stick and I find it very odd that I should receive to bum sticks in a row. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

I don't know about Corsair but my Hyper X PC3200 will run 220FSB 2/3/3/6