relative memory performance

Kirth Gersen · 27 May 2007 at 10:31

Hi,

This is my first visit to the memory forum: it's just so arcane

. I've looked at the FAQs, and my eyes have glazed I'm afraid. I'm not an overclocker, I just want to create the best bang per buck gaming rig for my next build.

So the question is: what are the performance benefits of faster RAM (in general terms)? I don't want to screw around with timings, just plug the memory in and go.

For example, looking at the OC shop, you can get 2Gb of Crucial 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-4200C4 for £54:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-082-CR&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=697

At the other end, you can get 2Gb of OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-9200 1150MHz Reaper for £159:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-089-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=817

So, do you get 3 times the performance for 3 times the price? Will games run 3 times faster? I doubt it, but I have absolutely no idea what is the relative performance increase. Would I get bigger performance benefits by buying 4Gb of the cheap RAM?

Help :eek:

Cob · 27 May 2007 at 11:59

The main benefit of faster memory is that it allows you to overclock your CPU further. The pc2-4200 runs fine with a stock 1066mhz FSB Core 2 Duo, but it would hit a wall pretty quickly if you were to start overclocking the CPU.

If you intend to run everything at stock, then faster memory will gain you a handful of FPS in games, but probably nothing you would notice.

If you want 4gb for ~£100 then this or this would be better value. They're both a little faster and cheaper than the Crucial.

Kirth Gersen · 27 May 2007 at 16:42

Thanks Cob

WJA96 · 27 May 2007 at 16:56

Kirth Gersen said:
I don't want to screw around with timings, just plug the memory in and go.

Then there is no point buying anything other than Value PC5300 RAM as everything else has to be manually set away from the JEDEC standard PC5300 [email protected]

Some later PC6400 can boot at PC6400 5-5-5-15, but that's pretty unusual.

All performance RAM boots up as this in one way shape or form. You then have to increase the voltage and manually change the timings.