Which memory to get with an OC'd 1700+

[LesPaul]

Ok.. I've got a 470-500 dollar budget, and I'm planning on upgrading my CPU, mobo, and Memory. I've got the 1700+ and NF7-S picked out from Excaliberpc. I'll be OC'ing the 1700 to at least 10x200, but this is what I'm mainly striving for. Still debating whether to get the cooler master aero 7 HSF, or an SK-7 + fan, but both will cost about the same, ~30 bucks @ svc.com. I'll be using AS Ceramique (6 bucks).

So far, these components put me at $222, not including shipping. Now, I'd love to get the gig pack of TwinX Corsair 3200 LL, but the cheapest i've found this stuff for at a seller i trust is 291 bucks, which is over my budget. I really like Kingston's HyperX 3200 GByte pack, but its currently out of stock @ excal and ran about $240. Right now, i'm mainly leaning towards the HyperX.. I've heard good things about its performance, and it comes at a price that's within my budget. Some other options I've been entertaining have been:

1.) buying 2 sticks (512 x 2) of Corsair XMS3200 C2 for around $110 each = $220 - running in Dual Channel
2.) buying a Corsair TwinX pack of 256 x 2 of 3200LL for around $150, then saving the extra for a future upgrade - Dual channel
3.) Just buying 1 stick of 512 Corsair 3200LL for around $150 and saving the extra money for a future upgrade - single Channel

Are the XMS3200 C2's easy to obtain the fastest (2-2-2-6) timings? If I can obtain these timings @ DDR400, then I think this might be the choice I make. How would these sticks compare to the HyperX 3200 Gig pack sticks? If the HyperX's will outperform them, I wouldn't mind paying the extra 20 bucks. I'm not too keen on the 3rd option, as I'd like to be able to run in Dual Channel mode, but I'm keeping my options open, with future upgradibility in mind.

What do you guys think I should go with? Any other suggestions for memory that I havent' listed, that can come very close to Corsair's performance?

Thanks for any help.

 

[infinite012]

Try some CH-5 or BH-5 (winbond) from PalmTreePC. He can be found on ebay if you search for a seller. He sells a lot of memory and they are all very decent prices. Or you could try MemoryX and buy some guaranteed CH-5s for decently cheap.

Do you want to use 512MB or 1GB total memory? What will you be using the computer for?

 

[Corporate Thug]

buy two seperate 512 sticks of regular XMS, they'll run fine in DC

 

[LesPaul]

I mainly use this machine for gaming. My game of choice is BF1942, and I run mIRC, Trillian, and Ventrilo (voice comm app) in the background. I also use Photoshop 6 quite a bit these days, and on very rare occasions 3dsmax. BF1942 eats up memory, and PS and 3dsmax could also benefit greatly from 1 GB of memory.. so 1 GB is what I'd like to have ideally.

Shady, will those regular XMS modules be able to handle the same timings as the Low Latency modules (2-2-2-6 i think) and outperform the HyperX 3200 sticks?
Nforce2 boards seem to benefit best from faster timings as opposed to better clocks from everything i've read.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i run my XMS @ 2-2-2-5 in single channel so i think 2-2-2-6 in DC is doable

 

[LesPaul]

hmm, i just read that HyperX memory and Nforce2 rev 2.0 boards don't go to well together.. and excaliberpc says that as a disclaimer, that they won't accept returns for this reason.

The XMS 3200 is my top choice now..

Thanks for the input.

 

[Corporate Thug]

np, but just FYI i think the hyperX conflict was only with the Asus board. i have used hyperX with the epox and abit board with no problem

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: LesPaul
hmm, i just read that HyperX memory and Nforce2 rev 2.0 boards don't go to well together.. and excaliberpc says that as a disclaimer, that they won't accept returns for this reason.

The XMS 3200 is my top choice now..

Thanks for the input.

okay... after dealing with the hyperx crap here's the low down on it...

the only board having issues with the hyperx was the abit nf7-s

HOWEVER... it was only the pc3500 speeds that had issues with it...

the pc3200 hyperX should be fine with the nf7-s and also believe that the new 1.4 bios addressed some of the issues with the hyperX pc3500


i'd go with the pc3200 hyperX

 

[LesPaul]

ahh, i see.. thanks for that clarification heh, now my decision is tough again, but leaning back towards the HyperX.