Will lower timing memory really make a difference?

[Mithan]

Hi guys.

I am considering getting a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R and either a Q6600 or E6850, but of course, if I get the Q6600 I will probably over clock it into the 2.8-3.0gig range if possible, as I primarily game on my PC and the X2 4200 is getting a bit old....


As usual, what is really screwing me of course is memory.


Will I notice much of a difference between "lower timed" memory like 4-4-4-12 vs something like 5-5-5-15 ?

Also, would anybody recommend waiting another 2-3 months for Penryn?

 

[n7]

Q6600.

No.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

No.
While Penryn is indeed much better, it's also going to be pricier for a while IMO.
Obviously, if you enjoy waiting, then sure, but i'd suggest getting the quad & enjoying it now.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: n7
Q6600.

No.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

No.
While Penryn is indeed much better, it's also going to be pricier for a while IMO.
Obviously, if you enjoy waiting, then sure, but i'd suggest getting the quad & enjoying it now.

I sorta agree, however if you find that you could use a quad now then get it now. If you can get a cheap dual core somewhere and use that for a few months and wait for Penryn to pan out in retail channels I would suggest that instead. the .45nm CPUs will likely overclock better and will definately not run as hot. It'd be an option to buy a real cheap C2D for the meantime and just swap CPUs later if you can do that.

memory timings aren't super important, 5-5-5-15 won't feel different than 4-4-4-12 when it comes down to actually working in applications and not reading benchmarks.

 

[cozumel]

But memory timings will effect gaming with current games and the ones that will be coming.

And if you want to wait for a Penryn then get a E2180 while you wait. Good value, decent performance. The E6850 won't let you taske advantage of the multicore supported games like a Q6600. So in my book it is a choice of either the Q6600 or E2180...

 

[Mithan]

Originally posted by: cozumel
But memory timings will effect gaming with current games and the ones that will be coming.

And if you want to wait for a Penryn then get a E2180 while you wait. Good value, decent performance. The E6850 won't let you taske advantage of the multicore supported games like a Q6600. So in my book it is a choice of either the Q6600 or E2180...

Nah, Dual Core is still tops for Games and will remain that way for a long time yet, I would only get a Quad Core if it is 3.0gig (OC'ed or standard).

Ill probably just wait for Penryn's new 3.0gig Quad Core, it is reasonably priced (~$300) and clocked at 3.0 gig, so its worth while.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Mithan

Originally posted by: cozumel
But memory timings will effect gaming with current games and the ones that will be coming.

And if you want to wait for a Penryn then get a E2180 while you wait. Good value, decent performance. The E6850 won't let you taske advantage of the multicore supported games like a Q6600. So in my book it is a choice of either the Q6600 or E2180...

Nah, Dual Core is still tops for Games and will remain that way for a long time yet, I would only get a Quad Core if it is 3.0gig (OC'ed or standard).

Ill probably just wait for Penryn's new 3.0gig Quad Core, it is reasonably priced (~$300) and clocked at 3.0 gig, so its worth while.

if you answered your own question why did you post at all?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: cozumel
But memory timings will effect gaming with current games and the ones that will be coming.

And if you want to wait for a Penryn then get a E2180 while you wait. Good value, decent performance. The E6850 won't let you taske advantage of the multicore supported games like a Q6600. So in my book it is a choice of either the Q6600 or E2180...

Memory timings will not increase FPS in games. 5-5-5-15 vs 4-4-4-12 is no difference.

 

[Mithan]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Mithan

Originally posted by: cozumel
But memory timings will effect gaming with current games and the ones that will be coming.

And if you want to wait for a Penryn then get a E2180 while you wait. Good value, decent performance. The E6850 won't let you taske advantage of the multicore supported games like a Q6600. So in my book it is a choice of either the Q6600 or E2180...

Nah, Dual Core is still tops for Games and will remain that way for a long time yet, I would only get a Quad Core if it is 3.0gig (OC'ed or standard).

Ill probably just wait for Penryn's new 3.0gig Quad Core, it is reasonably priced (~$300) and clocked at 3.0 gig, so its worth while.

if you answered your own question why did you post at all?

I was asking about memory timings

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Mithan
Hi guys.

I am considering getting a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R and either a Q6600 or E6850, but of course, if I get the Q6600 I will probably over clock it into the 2.8-3.0gig range if possible, as I primarily game on my PC and the X2 4200 is getting a bit old....


As usual, what is really screwing me of course is memory.


Will I notice much of a difference between "lower timed" memory like 4-4-4-12 vs something like 5-5-5-15 ?

Also, would anybody recommend waiting another 2-3 months for Penryn?

I see you did, but you also mentioned CPUs so some advice was directed to that.

 

[cozumel]

@ cmdrdredd:
Tighter timings did improve my fps on games on my last rig. I haven't actually checked out what happens on this rig with DDR2/Q6600/P35 as it is a recent build but I will check it out once I've fully finished the build by the end of the year (waiting on improved cooling components and may get a new case). I'll check it out on Crysis, Gears of War, Witcher and other titles and compare the fps so that I am able to back up my claims or forever hold my peace.

 

[Namael]

Yeah I have some corsair dominator pc8500 5-5-5-15 ram and I am also wondering if it's worth pushing the timings lower. This is also on a q6600 x38 chipset. If I'm only gonna get on average 1-3% fps increase then it's not really worth it for me. But if I may get 5+%, then I could consider it.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: cozumel
@ cmdrdredd:
Tighter timings did improve my fps on games on my last rig. I haven't actually checked out what happens on this rig with DDR2/Q6600/P35 as it is a recent build but I will check it out once I've fully finished the build by the end of the year (waiting on improved cooling components and may get a new case). I'll check it out on Crysis, Gears of War, Witcher and other titles and compare the fps so that I am able to back up my claims or forever hold my peace.

I've personally tested 4-4-4-12 vs 5-5-5-15 and there was no tangible difference.