Confused by DDR3 Choices for AM3 :(

[eddiew]

Hi guys,

So I've been out of the loop for a while, but now I'm eyeing up a new cpu/motherboard/memory to replace my ageing Core2Duo E4300 (lol, yes that's the 3-year-old kind ).

Currently gunning for a AM3 board with a Phenom II 955 BE, but I'm getting stuck on memory choices. So many things in the DDR3 list seem to say "optimised for i5" and the ones that do specify for AM3 seem to be way more expensive (at a time when memory is already way overpriced, no less!)

Is this actually a problem? I'm lost as to what way this memory "optimised" for Intel systems, and does that make it an actual problem if I put it in an AM3 board? Equally, does "optimised for AM3" translate into a real advantage?

On a similar note, voltages: is 1.65V memory a no-no on AM3 because it needs to be higher, or is it just that Intel can only go that far and AM3 can go higher, but doesn't have to? If I stick, for example, some OCZ Gold Low Voltage 1600MHz (1.65V) into an AM3 board, am I going to find the BIOS only goes down to 1.8 and it fries?

Advice much appreciated


Oh, I'm pretty flexible about what I put together, so if anyone wants to put a case for going i5, or for a particular AM3 motherboard, please feel free. I'd like to set a budget cap around £350 and get at least 4GB of memory. Mostly the system gets used for Photoshop/GIMP/etc work (some pretty hefty 3000x3000 pieces) and World of Warcraft cos I'm a nerd

Thanks in advance

 

[eddiew]

*polite bump* Sorry, bad form, but I'd really like to be able to order some kit today so's to get my mitts on it by the weekend - if anyone has any info it would be highly appreciated ^^;

 

[eddiew]

It won't be a problem. The memory will work so long as it doesn't state it only works on intel systems.

Thanks, that's good to hear - don't think anything says "only for" just "optimised for." Curious to know whether those optimisations go beyond running at a low enough voltage though

Are you wanting to buy a completely new system or upgrade your old one? If upgrading list your system please.

Upgrading - but replacing CPU, motherboard and memory as a unit, so pretty much anything goes Have a 1TB hard drive and an 8800GT that work perfectly fine, so I'll hang on to those for the mo.

Presently eyeing up...

Phenom II 955 BE: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-244-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

Asus M4A79XTD Evo: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-366-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1481

4GB OCZ Gold: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-180-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

... but I'm prepared to be swayed by a persuasive argument for alternatives if they stay around a ~£350 budget

I guess I could do with a 3rd party CPU cooler too?

 

[eddiew]

I think you've picked some good stuff there so I'd stick with them. Just to save money though (so you can stick in that cpu cooler) you could get a cheaper mobo and patriot ram
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-355-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1481

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-026-PA&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Hehe, cheers for the ideas, although unless there's some limit on how fast AM3 can run it's memory, I'll stick with the 1600MHz flavour

I am a bit baffled by all the AMD chipsets though... can't figure out which is considered the newest/best >_<

 

[eddiew]

Just to save money though (so you can stick in that cpu cooler)

Turns out I don't need to, I just realised my current Zalman CNPS9500A will fit on socket AM3 - now if only I can find the box of bits it came with... man I love this cooler, quietest thing in the world

 

[eddiew]

Generally speaking, in some cases "optimized for Intel" means different ICs from what is used on the AMD versions. Don't be surprised if your system cannot hit 1600 with an "Intel" kit. You won't fry anything but, you may be forced to run slower speeds due to either voltage and/or IC based issues.

Ah. Oh well, too late, it's ordered now :/

I doubt it'll matter, real world performance difference from 1333 vs 1600 DDR seems to be slight enough that I won't notice, given how much of a massive upgrade the CPU will be on my current one

 

[eddiew]

Well... 1 stick works, 1 stick doesn't. Hopefully just a bad pack rather than an indication that "optimised for i5" means "doesn't work with AMD" :/

 

[eddiew]

Strange,
It should work just fine.

After repeated swapping I concluded that 1 stick of the pair was bust and packed it up for RMA. I'll post again here for closure when I have a working pair

For what it's worth - Test I did a while back with Crysis, as you can see no different using timings at 1333mhz or 1600mhz.

Heh, that's the sort of thing you should make into public knowledge! Might save a lot of people some cash

 

[eddiew]

Despite the crime of thread necromancy, I did say I'd post again to conclude.

Replacement "optimised for intel" memory is working fine at 1600MHz in my AM3 motherboard. Whatever optimised means, it isn't "doesn't work at all"