Will I be able to utilize this memory to full potential?

[imported_SoulCatcher]

Ok I know alot of people think you can do just fine with value ram. For various reasons of my own, I do not want to go that route, so my question is as follows. With the following main components, which memory should I go with, If I go for the higest rated ram, will I actually be able to use it to that capacity with my selected components?

Mobo = Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI
CPU = AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm (939) (Retail Box-w-Fan)
GPU = BFG GeForce 6800 GT OC 256MB GDDR3/PCI-E
HDD = Western Digital 74 GB SATA 10K Raptor

Potential Ram (all are Mushkin)

1GB PC3700 Hi Perf Dual Pack (2x512MB) - $ 227.00Link
1GB PC4400 Hi Perf Dual Pack (2x512MB) - $ 295.00Link
1GB Dual Pack (2x512MB) PC3200 222 LII V2 - $ 269.00Link
1GB PC3200 DDR CL2 Blue Dual Pack (2x512) - $ 194.00 Link

My goal is to get the memory my components will be able to use to the maximum potential, without buying more than they will be able to utilize.

Thank you for your input. Once again, I know that value ram is a frequently reccomended option, but that is not a route I care to take at the current time.

 

[kextyn]

Sounds like you want the PC3200 black (2-2-2). You didn't mention overclocking so don't waste your money on the higher rated (and most likely higher latency) memory.

If you do want to overclock then its just a matter of how deep your pockets are.

 

[imported_SoulCatcher]

Sorry I completely forgot to talk about OC. I wont oc right off the bat, but I do want the potential to be there, the thing that concerns me, is that I read somewhere that something about the amd cpu actually limits how much you can oc the memory, if that is the case, I dont want to waste money buying memory I wont be able to utilize. I for the life of me can't remember where I read that, I have been doing alot of research for this new build, and there is all kinds of crap floating around out there. So does anyone have a firm idea, if I do buy higher rated memory, will the CPU be able to utilize it to full potential, with future OC?

 

[biostud]

read

 

[kextyn]

Say you have PC3200 memory and you overclock it beyond the 2x200Mhz. You would be going above what the memory is rated to do. If you use PC4400 at default settings for your mobo/cpu then you will be running it at PC3200 speeds but its rated to handle PC4400. When you overclock with the PC4400 you're not really overclocking it untill you hit the PC4400 mark (not sure what the clock speed is).

Now if you were not able to overclock enough to hit the PC4400 because your CPU/mobo can't handle it then no you would not be able to exploit the full potential of the memory. You really don't know those factors untill you get started with the OCing.

Look at the CPU section on these forums for some guides to overclocking and you will learn more about what you are asking.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I doubt you will reach pc4400 with a 3500+ unless you drop the multiplier quite a bit, and even then your chipset might give up first.

I'd go with the fast timing 3200, if you want the best performance right now, or the 3700 if you want the best performance with the ability to OC later.

 

[gobucks]

for PC4400 to be used at full potential, you'd need to overclock the bus to around 275MHz. On a 3500, that'd be over 3GHz, which is not possible. You could lower the multiplier, of course, but what's the point? I say either grab a 3500+ and some 3700 memory, or a 3000+ or 3200+ with PC4400ish memory. That ways you aren't paying extra for speed you won't use.

One suggestion - Have you looked at Crucial Ballistix? Their PC4000 is only $230 from newegg, and it's a great overclocker. I've got mine at 556MHz so far, I've heard of people taking it to 590+, or PC4800 speeds. And it performs way better on the A64 platform, too.