is DDR3 1333 worth the upgrade?

Associate
Joined
4 Nov 2006
Posts
974
My mobo is P35C-DS3R and currently have en e6550 @ 3.15Ghz which idles aroung 27deg. So I know I can still push the cpu more but my ram is limiting it. I am currently using 2x1GB OCZ EL DDR2 PC2-6400 / 800MHz / Gold Gamer eXtreme / XTC Edition / Dual Channel (OCZ2G8002GK) Now it is running at 900Mhz 5-6-6-17. Any further and Windows wont boot.

Instead of going for a DDR2 1066, would the DDR3 1333 give noticable improvment in both performance and overclocking? Anyone here with the same mobo as mine using DDR3? Any thoughts/opinions?
 
well, if you have cash and you want to blow it then I don't see why not. But personally I think it would be a waste. DD3 hasn't even taken off properly yet, and from what I have seen in benchies there isn't any big improvement that justifies the cost.
 
you wont need more speed than what 8500 will offer anyway just for oc'ing that chip.

obviously the DDR3 might have more use in the future...
 
I'm guessing by the time DDR3 has taken off properly there will be much faster sticks and better timings available anyway, If you really want to OC further just go for some faster DDR2.
 
actually I do have the money to spend on the DDR3.

but say if I get a 4gb, wont that affect my overclocking capability? I heard a LOT of people with the P35C-DS3R mobo that 4gb would give them problems
 
if you get DDR3, you wont have any more memory limits, along with a DDR3 X38 board you can get the max your chip has to offer, IMO if you have the money, get it.
 
Last edited:
I'm not switching to DDR3 till I can get 2x2GB DDR3 1333mhz at less than £200, so I'll be waiting a very long time. :)

The latest Anandtech review of the Asus Maximus Extreme DDR3 mobo, says that you need to be running 1600mhz or higher DDR3 to see any real benefit, in games that equated to 8-10fps for memory that costs like £400 for just 2gb. Running below that DDR2 running at 1100mhz matches the DDR3 in terms of performance.

DDR3 = WASTE OF MONEY!!! :)
 
Last edited:
DDR3 is not a waste of money as soon DDR3 will become more common and DDR2 will become obsolete, just like DDR1, it uses less power for faster speeds, so more power = even faster speeds, i wouldnt get DDR3 to run at 1333MHz, i would be running it at a minimum of 1600MHz
 
Cant count the amount of cash I have lost on buying high end ram. I will never bother with it again. I've had the Ballistix in sig @ 1200mhz stable and it cost me less than £100. Dont see the point of buying DDR3 with the current pricing.
 
I'm using DDR3 and am more than happy.
So I'm using an ASUS P5E3 Deluxe WIFI-AP@n and 4x 1GB Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800

Is it any quicker than a DDR2 system?
Quite probably not to be noticed, although benchmarks will probably show a slight increase.
However the system works fine, I can now do future upgrades in steps - I've got a motherboard ready for the next generation CPU's.
I've got memory that can be moved onto the next generation motherboard etc.

It wasn't cheap - although I do get a discount from Crucial because of the amount of RAM we buy from them each month.

As for the "Waste of Money".
It could just as easily be argued with any expensive computer component purchase.
8800 Ultra - why bother, etc.
You fancy something and you've got the money then go for it.
However what with it being Christmas I know I could probably find better things to spend that kind of money on if I was thinking about the upgrade right now.
 
By the time DDR3 is at better prices, there will be newer chipsets out. Just get a decent 2x2gb kit (eg OCZ Platinum) or even the 4x2gb OCUK put up, or 4x1gb. I don't notice a difference between 4x1gb at 1066mhz versus 2x2gb at 800mhz personally. 2x2gb may be better arguably as it puts less strain on the chipset, I know my temps dropped considerably when I went from 4x1gb to 2x2gb.
 
if you get DDR3, you wont have any more memory limits, along with a DDR3 X38 board you can get the max your chip has to offer, IMO if you have the money, get it.

I totally agree RaiderX, Sound logical advice. if you can afford the x38 board and 2 gigs of DDR3 that is the way forward. Throw a 45nm in the loop.

http://forums.tweaktown.com/showthread.php?t=25544

This was exactly what I thought of as well. Although I do not have an x38 board. just the p35. would it matter? my p35c-ds3r can support DDR3 1333
 
Back
Top Bottom