DDR3 10666C7 vs 12800C9

DennisMenace · 24 Feb 2011 at 06:01

I was thinking of buying this memory :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-188-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516

as it seems very good value for C7 latency. How does this perform compared to 'regular' 12800(1600MHz)C9, which is similarly priced?

I am trying to find a H67 mobo that supports 1600MHz, but no luck so far, so I may be stuck with the C7(1333MHz) option. It would be nice to know how they compare, as I might upgrade to a P67 mobo if there is a significant performance boost.

Tythus · 24 Feb 2011 at 13:11

If you can get a higher MHz as in DDR3 it tends to favor MHz over timings.

Atom · 24 Feb 2011 at 13:36

I use 1600mhz stuff at 1.5v 7,7,7,20 1333mhz...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS

Tythus · 24 Feb 2011 at 14:00

DennisMenace said:
I was thinking of buying this memory :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-188-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516

as it seems very good value for C7 latency. How does this perform compared to 'regular' 12800(1600MHz)C9, which is similarly priced?

I am trying to find a H67 mobo that supports 1600MHz, but no luck so far, so I may be stuck with the C7(1333MHz) option. It would be nice to know how they compare, as I might upgrade to a P67 mobo if there is a significant performance boost.

No H67 board supports 1600MHz.

P67 allows you in the bios to select the rated speed of your ram. So if you buy ram that is spec'd for 2133 the all you have to do is select that profile in the BIOS. Alternately you could set the frequency to 2133 and adjust the voltages your self if you preferred.

DennisMenace · 24 Feb 2011 at 18:31

"No H67 board supports 1600MHz."

Looks like I'm stuck with 1333MHz, as I intend to use a S-series (low power) CPU, and want IGP until I can afford a decent GPU (at least 58xx or 460).

eddiew · 25 Feb 2011 at 08:36

For "supports" read "won't run faster than <speed x> but will physically accommodate any rating of DDR3, within voltage tolerances"

And bear in mind that if you get 1600MHz memory, you can always run it at 1333, and usually tighten the timings.

Doing a little maths...
C9 @ 1600 MHz = 0.00000562 seconds per access.
C7 @ 1333 MHz = 0.00000525 seconds per access.

They're the same manufacturing standard, to within 8%

I personally would get some 1600, as if you change motherboard later, you can then fiddle with it and work out whether it's better slow and tight or fast and loose...

Also note you linked 1.6V memory, which is a little scary for SB... I would favour something rated at 1.5 if at all possible. I quite like G.Skill Ripjaws but I'm sure other brands are more or less the same ^^

Yoga · 25 Feb 2011 at 10:52

Have a look here:

You'll be better off with 10660 CAS7.

Originally posted by 1Day

boosfuk · 25 Feb 2011 at 14:19

As the chart shows the latency is better with CAS7 but the bandwidth is still greater with the DDR-1600.

DennisMenace · 25 Feb 2011 at 16:15

Thanks a lot, that has enlightened me considerably. But the bottom line is I'm stuck with 1333MHz if I go H67 (which I almost certainly will for the IGP, unless I win the lottery). Still, no harm in getting faster RAM in case I do upgrade later.