[Guide] Buying RAM for Conroe...

Explicit · 24 Jun 2006 at 20:45

There's a great deal of hype about Conroe and its huge overclocking potential. Some people seem to be unsure about what RAM they will need with certain Conroe models, so here are a few simple charts you can refer to.

These charts assume that you will not be using a divider, and instead wish to overclock your CPU 1:1 with your RAM for maximum performance gain.

I've left out the Extreme Edition x6800 because it has an unlocked multiplier.

Hope that helps.

killer_uk · 24 Jun 2006 at 21:08

Very nice, I was going to make some of these to post here but forgot all about it!

Very helpful.

Minstadave · 25 Jun 2006 at 01:42

Thats really useful, thank you

Has anyone seen how Conroe performs using a divider?

Explicit · 25 Jun 2006 at 11:01

Cheers guys

Minstadave said:
Has anyone seen how Conroe performs using a divider?

I'd be interested in this too.

Jay_t · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:16

Very handy - many thanks

benjo · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:24

Good job Mr. Explicit

p4radox · 26 Jun 2006 at 18:10

Minstadave said:
Has anyone seen how Conroe performs using a divider?

Yeah this is what i'm waiting on. It'll probaby be the 6300 for me, and some nice performance on a divider will be welcome.

Sem · 26 Jun 2006 at 18:24

sorry if this sounds dumb but im not an expert of DDR2

i plan to buy a E6600 and overclock it to 3.3Ghz (333x9) or hopefully 3.6Ghz(400x9)

according the to chart i need DDR2 6400

what would be the better choice

Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C4
or
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 ZX PC2-6400

the timings for these are 4-4-4-12

will i need to reduce them in anyway if i want to run 333/400 FSB

thanks

Explicit · 26 Jun 2006 at 18:45

Both of them kits will perform exactly the same, so just buy whichever one works out cheaper. And yes, both of them kits will run at any speed upto 400MHz. Anyway, when you first put them into your mobo, they will only be running at 266MHz to give your E6600 its stock speed. You crank them up anywhere between 266-400MHz when you overclock. HTH

james32 · 26 Jun 2006 at 19:06

Sem said:
sorry if this sounds dumb but im not an expert of DDR2

i plan to buy a E6600 and overclock it to 3.3Ghz (333x9) or hopefully 3.6Ghz(400x9)

according the to chart i need DDR2 6400

what would be the better choice

Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C4
or
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 ZX PC2-6400

the timings for these are 4-4-4-12

will i need to reduce them in anyway if i want to run 333/400 FSB

thanks

look out for G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400
these hit speeds of 1000, black heat spreaders = micron memory
blue heat spreaders totaly diffrent IC.

Kesnel · 26 Jun 2006 at 19:38

james32 said:
look out for G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400
these hit speeds of 1000, black heat spreaders = micron memory
blue heat spreaders totaly diffrent IC.

I was just about to suggest this, the 6400 HZ use the same IC as the 8000 set. DDR2-1000 is not a problem at 4-x-x-x.

These will undoubtably be the best budget memory for use with Conroe.

Also, like all the other Intels, running less than 1:1 is a big no no. For best results use either 1:1, 4:5 or 3:5.

Explicit · 26 Jun 2006 at 19:43

Kesnel said:
I was just about to suggest this, the 6400 HZ use the same IC as the 8000 set. DDR2-1000 is not a problem at 4-x-x-x.

Very nice, I think you've just made my mind up about what kit to buy.

I wonder if OcUK can get hold of these, they only have the 6400 ZX listed.

Kesnel · 26 Jun 2006 at 19:52

Sorry, forgot to mention also that the HZ must be dated May 06 or later. Look out for the 0605 sets as these use the Micron chips, earlier versions use the inferior clocking Elpida ICs.

UKTopGun · 26 Jun 2006 at 21:10

How will
Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-5400 TwinX
be compared to...
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 LA PC2-5300
compared to...
PQI Turbo Memory 2GB PC2-5400 DDR2 667

I can get them all roughly the same price.

Drazic · 27 Jun 2006 at 01:40

Divider is fine, the cpu is so dam fast. 3.7Ghz on air was silly, 4.5ghz on a stock vapo ls was well...yeah i pooed my self and yet it's gone fasters and will be even more

AMDPower · 27 Jun 2006 at 01:51

@Drazic

did you manage to overclock the Es6700 to 3.7ghz on air?

is that the max u managed?

thanks.

eatmuchpie · 27 Jun 2006 at 08:33

So let me get this right, If I buy pc2-6400 memory, then it is certain to be able to run at 6400 speeds (ie. FSB of 400), but what distinguishes the good chips from the bad is how far over this speed it can go?

How far do the Gskill 6400 HZ overclock to (in terms of FSB), and what will they cost (the ZX is £150 + VAT)?

Excuse the newbiness please, I understand overclocking DDR; honest

james32 · 27 Jun 2006 at 08:44

the G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400 are £180 inc vat
and matches the G.Skill 2GB DDR2 8000 £355 stuff basicly same memory
just clocked lower, so you could get 4gb for the price of 1 set of 8000.

Explicit · 27 Jun 2006 at 18:50

james32 said:
the G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400 are £180 inc vat
and matches the G.Skill 2GB DDR2 8000 £355 stuff basicly same memory
just clocked lower, so you could get 4gb for the price of 1 set of 8000.

That's good value for money. Gibbo has ordered HZ kit, should be available next week.

b4z · 28 Jun 2006 at 08:19

thanks for the pictures Explicit

very interested in this GSKill 0605/0606 HZ 2gb kit to accompany a E6600/E6700