Which RAM/Heatsink choice for my OC situation

[BlueFlamme]

I recently purchased an eVGA GeForce 7800 GT and an eVGA 133-K8-NF41 from newegg for $350 total after all rebates. I am still unsure which processor I am going with but have narrowed down my RAM selection to the following three modules:

Patriot Signature Series 2x512MB DDR 400 CAS 2.5 w/heatspreader $78 after MIR
pqi Turbo 2x512MB DDR 400 CAS 2.5 w/heatspreader $77 after MIR
Mushkin Value 2x512MB DDR 400 CAS 3 $80

I don't have any experience with about Patriot or pqi, but I have had a good experience with Mushkin memory before. Do any of these stick out as being better than the other two?

For cooling I have looked at Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro but I haven't seen many reviews or stores selling it. Anyone have experience with this HS or have another good suggestion in the same price range? (AC says it'll be around $34).

Thanks for all suggestions and input,

 

[Kogan]

There's not a big difference between the different value rams. The cas3 mushkin will also likely run at cas2.5 with a bit of extra voltage.
But take a look at these:
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3746176
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227039

The kingston one from the first link is worth the extra $20 or so if you plan on overclocking your ram. It's even rated up to 500mhz at cas3.

That heatsink looks like a thermalright XP-90 turned sideways, so it should be pretty good. I got an xp-90 for my setup, put a 90mm fan on it, and it has been great. Usually the bigger the fan it supports, the better it is, since you can get more airflow with less noise.

Edit: Cheapest xp-90 I know of:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermalright-XP-90-Retail-pr-2474.html
http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermalright-XP-90-OEM-pr-2921.html

 

[BlueFlamme]

I thought Zebo's Memory Matrix thread pretty much showed that the diff between CAS 2 and 2.5 were minimal (especially HL2 at less than 4 fps, which I plan on playing a lot), and if that OCZ is any good it would be a cost diff of $30. I might be able to use that for the eVGA step-up program after the 512MB GTX comes out (assuming the 256MB GTX prices will fall within 90 days which isn't a bad bet), or if I decide to go with the San Diego 3700+ instead of a Venice 3000+ to double my core.

As for the heatsink, wouldn't the Freezer 64 pro operate more efficiently since it uses 6 copper heatpipes as opposed to 4 aluminum pipes. I agree a larger fan would be preferred, however the fan blows toward the rear of the case and I have two exhaust fans back there helping to pull air across the fins. Sound is only a minimal concern since I have 4 80mms in the case (and my water heater is in the same room which makes its own racket, woot for 7.1 speakers drowning them all out!).

I am glad you pointed out that OCZ RAM, just gotta make a decision by midnight if I want it at that price. I won't be using any of these parts until Christmas (deal with the wife) so I can always wait to see if prices drop or other specials will come out. If I'm dead wrong about my heatsink thoughts, let me know (and why you think so)

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've been spending a lot of time on the "Cases and Cooling" forum, and was surprised to see this question about the Freezer posted here.

We've written tomes on the other forum. What I've consistently argued, is that although a cooling solution may have a different impact on suppressing idle temperature or bringing it closer to room-ambient, the key measure of a cooler's effectiveness is its thermal resistance, and heatpipe coolers depend on airflow to some limit where the TR value is a minimum.

We've posted an entire database of recent cooler reviews and comparison reviews. The Freezer doesn't fare that well in comparison to other coolers. Among the best are the ThermalRight SI-120 and the Scythe Ninja. Zalman's CNPS-9500-Led seems to perform about as well.

There was a fairly recent comparison review that included the Freezer in comparison to ThermalRight and Zalman coolers at the German web-site "Hartware.de." Its performance should be fairly apparent from that review, and if my memory failed, there is another review in the database that makes a similar comparison.

 

[BlueFlamme]

The main post was about the RAM for oc'ing and the heatsink question was just thrown in at the last minute. I saw the hartware.de review earlier in the day, but my work blocks language translators and I forgot to do it again tonight. I did searches within the different forums [oc, hardocp, anandtech, sharkyextreme] and did not find any data on the Freezer 64 Pro. Have seen some of the results on the Freezer 64, was wondering what true added performance has been gained with the pro model (and for any mods such as going to a 92mm fan).

Sorry for the slight misdirected question.