Recommend me some DDR3 memory for my new system

Restorer

Restorer

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Would be grateful if you could suggest the best bet for a new Phenom II 965, MSI 790FX-GD70 based system. I am a bit confused about modern RAM - especially as to whether 1600 memory is necessary.

many thanks.
 
You'll possibly not notice much of a difference between 1333 and 1600. Even in synthetics you're going to gain maybe 1-2 more frames/second in games with the difference. Depends what you're going to use the PC for. If you're the kind of person that likes all those small numbers to add up to a total of 20+ frames, then definitely splash out for the faster memory. You'll have peace of mind that a slowdown in a game wasn't caused by your memory ;)

Games like high speed memory. (1600MHz)
professional applications (photoshop etc) prefer low latency. (1333/1066Mhz)

Generally,
Lower speed = lower latency
 
Thanks for the advice.

My PC is most used as HTPC and Photoshop. Some games but stability and longevity much higher priorities than squeezing out a few extra fps.

Different makes of memory now seem much closer in price than they used to be. Any manufacturers best to avoid?
 
You should check out compatible memory modules from the MSI test report page. Not all 1600MHz memory will work with the board. Not saying that the week's offer recommendation will not work, but it is possibly incompatible.
 
Morlock said:
You should check out compatible memory modules from the MSI test report page. Not all 1600MHz memory will work with the board. Not saying that the week's offer recommendation will not work, but it is possibly incompatible.
Click to expand...

Is this board particularly fussy then or are they just covering their backs?

Not much of a list compared with what's out there - can hardly find any of those numbers on OCUK!

Maybe I should go for a more tolerant board :eek:??
 
In the past MSI have made some really terrible motherboards,I'm not saying that this is still the case but I wouldnt buy one ever again.
Cant go wrong with Asus or Gigabyte and their quality control is far superior to that of MSI.
How much memory do you actually think you need?
I'd recomend a 2x2gb kit,Gskill ripjaw are good,solid performers and proven to work well with Phenoms.
If you think you need more than 4gb you can always add more later.

While it's true that Phenom's get more from lower latency memory than intel chips paying a huge premium for it really isnt worth it for real world usage i.e. casual gaming etc.

Check out these if you are still not sure what you should be looking at.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-042-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-041-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-043-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

The OCZ in this weeks offers is also proven to work well with Phenoms and another good choice.
I'd go for 1600 over 1333 as the price difference isnt exactly huge and it will survive a few upgrades;)
 
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