Having problems deciding (Pc6400)

wibble1

wibble1

wibble1

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Just doing research into my new build,

Set on a MSI P35 Neo2-FR mobo with either Q6600/E2160.

Having done a lot of reading, from what people are saying, there is no real point into getting PC-8500 RAM?

This build is going to be my first proper effort into Overclocking also, so would like to get some RAM which is going to help me.

I seem to have semi narrowed my choices down to these 3:

  • Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 TwinX (2x1GB) (£35)
  • Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2 DHX PC2-6400C4DHX TwinX (2x1GB) (£49)
  • Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C4 800MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA804) (£49)
  • GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC) (£35)
  • GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Black Dragon DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GB22GB6400C4DC) (£46)

I always thought Crucial Ballistix were the daddy for Overclocking, but the GeIL look good.

The two sets of GeIL look the same, except the BD has flashing lights?

Is it worth getting x2 of these kits for my system, will this effect my OC efforts at all?

From the reviews I've read it seems like they all OC pretty well and its just personal preference?

For an extra £20 I can get:


  • Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA1065)

Is it worth it?

Thanks,
 
I think you are you confussing overclocking your CPU with overclocking your RAM? They are different things.

If you intend on overclocking your CPU, then the FSB will have to run at 400Mhz before the PC2-6400 is running at it's full speed of 800MHz. Hence this is the main reason why some may say that PC2-8500 maybe a waste of time unless you intend on some serious overclocking of the FSB. That said, some PC2-6400 will run above it's 800MHz frequency and therefore regarded as overclocking your RAM. Some RAM overclocks better than others but you may have to pay for this privilege.

PC2-8500 is often referred to as overclockers RAM because it allows for higher FSB frequencies well beyond 800MHz.

Therefore, PC2-6400 is more than enough to overclock your Q6600 (or whatever). My advice will be to go for any PC2-6400 C4 memory (as the timings are tighter) which suites your pocket.

This may help you understand things a little better
 
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Don't wanna make your choice harder, but all of the above are great overclockers and all will probably overclock more than enough for that board. People would consider the corsair to be the weakest out of that list on these forums, but i assure you anything with 4-4-4-12 timings is anything but.

Also i believe that board is a 1333 FSB. I can't see anything more than 800mhz RAM being of use, as even that speed won't be fully utilized (Though i think it gives more overclocking potential.

You can probably narrow that list down to Ballistic, Black Dragon and the Corsair DHX from what i've seen (£49, hmm, mines £40, oh well :))
 
Thanks Huddy, already had that link book marked ;)

Think I'll go with some PC6400 then, seems more cost effective.

Think i'll prob go with this:

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC) (£35)
 
On my E2200 i was running fsb @ 300 to give 3.3Ghz, but my ballistix (pc6400) was @ 999Mhz, with 5-5-5-12 using 2.2 volts. You don't have to run ram at 1:1, so if you do think faster ram would be benificial go for it. but as i've mentioned my pc6400 will do pc8500 speeds with looser timings.
 
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