Memory recommendation

Magic Man · 22 Feb 2007 at 12:45

Looking to build a Core2 system soon, e.g. 650 or 680 based board, 6600/6700, 8800GTX, tuniq tower.

Was looking at perhaps getting 4GB now (for future Vista use even though I know the recommendation at the moment is that you don't really need any more than 2GB)

But, with the current good prices on RAM, what would be recommended for such a system. Hoping to overclock and with the 650/680 boards able to unlink the memory speed, what should I look at in terms of good reliability, quality etc.?

I.e. would I see any benefit of 8500 over 6400 etc.

Thanks...

Magic Man · 22 Feb 2007 at 17:07

Any help appreciated.

Cob · 22 Feb 2007 at 17:36

I would only go for pc8500 if you have the money. But then the Cellshock PC6400 would probably preform atleast as well as most of the pc8500.

stickroad · 22 Feb 2007 at 17:49

Yeah the Cellshock now it has been reduced to 1950, was 220 is well worth it.

And i dont know why someone has 8 sticks lol.

Thats funny

Magic Man · 23 Feb 2007 at 12:49

But if the board allows the memory speed to be unlinked then is there any reason to get faster memory than 6400 since you're not relying on memory overclock potential to get a CPU overclock.

Or would setting a memory overclock even if the CPU is at default give any noticeable performance increase?

Cob · 23 Feb 2007 at 15:33

I wouldn't advise running your RAM any slower than your FSB with the Intels.

For the e6600, and even more so for the e6700, you don't really need good clocking RAM to get a good overclock. With the e6600 on its x9 multiplier, you only need pc6400 to be running at its stock speed to get to 3.6ghz (9x400).

Anything over 3.6Ghz with both the e6600 and e6700 is good going. And even then, something like the £115 OCZ pc6400 Platinum stuff would probably get you to 4ghz if your CPU was very very very very good.

With the e6600 and above, the CPU is far more likely to hit a wall first than cheapish pc6400.

Jleo · 23 Feb 2007 at 17:13

In my experience with the E6400 at 3.6GHz the cpu needs big volts 1.5v+ and I'm not alone there with the volts I am getting 60°C+ temps at load and thats with Tuiniq Tower, 2 x 120mm fans at 1400+rpm and the shark is vented at the side which manages to keep the temps down compared to covering up the vents.

With that said I think the conroe being put under water would be a better investment with pc6400 memory over the pc8500 and a Tuniq Tower.

My 2 bobs worth

Magic Man · 23 Feb 2007 at 19:55

Cheers for that - so no real need to get 8500 RAM then, stick to 6400 and save some £'s

ubern00b · 23 Feb 2007 at 20:02

Im running Crucial Ballistix pc-5300 @ 2.3v and I am just utterly impressed... for £130 you get all this:

Good?

Jleo · 23 Feb 2007 at 20:29

ubern00b said:
Im running Crucial Ballistix pc-5300 @ 2.3v and I am just utterly impressed... for £130 you get all this:

Good?

Phoarrrrrrrrrrrrr thats looking good