Spec me 4GB of memory (pretty plz + cherry)

Imy

Imy

Imy

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Warwickshire, UK
Hi,

I'm building a new high-performance pc that's going to be used for a variety of tasks including: gaming, web design, video encoding, ripping, etc.

I'm after 4GB of memory to go with the following setup:

* Abit IP35 Pro Motherboard
* Intel Q6600 Quadcore CPU G0
* Areca ARC-1680 SAS RAID Controller
* 2 x Seagate 15K.5 in RAID 0
* 6 x Hitachi 750GB 32MB Cache in RAID 5
* nVidia 88something (waiting for refresh)
* MS Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Its been years since I've overclocked anything but thought I'd save myself a few bob and try to overclock the Q6600 to around 3.6Ghz. If I understand what I've read in various posts, this will most likely be achieved either as 400x9 or 450x8 so the memory should be able to cope with both configurations comfortably and reliably.

I don't mind if the memory is 4 x 1GB or 2 x 2GB. I'd prefer something that doesn't have a tall heatsink like the dominator memory (compatibility issues with a cpu cooler I'm pondering over).

I'll be happy to spend around £120 but will go up to £200 if you guys can suggest something that has a really good 'bang for buck'.

Everything but the gfx card, cooler and memory should arrive today. I'll be ordering those when the refreshed nVidia cards become available (end of Oct?)

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies,
Imy
 
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Unless I'm blind (getting there fast) I can't see these on OcUK. I'll check them out anyway.
 
IceShock, he said PC2-8000, unless that was a typo or unless you're suggesting those instead.

Nevermind I'm confusing myself now...
 
Is it worth getting 2 x Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 instead of the equivalent PC2-6400C4 set Cob mentioned if say I didn't mind paying a bit extra? Two of the PC2-8500C5 sets would still be well within my budget.
 
That must be it. Looks good on paper but then again I don't know much about the 4GB kits or how they compare to each other and to 2GB kits.

Maybe someone can explain?
 
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I think I'm more confused now than when I started. There's lots of different memory configurations from different manufacturers that people have had good results with here.

I guess what I'm trying to find out is which runs the fastest while maintaining stability and costs < £200 for 4GB.

Comparing the overclocks people are getting with PC26400 memory and the paper specs of PC28000/8500 memory it appears (to me at least) the paper specs of the higher speed memory still have the edge (for the most part).

I know the above is a bit vague but am I coming to the right conclusion here?
 
Deluxe1 said:
2 x 2gb kits of pc6400 dont tend to overclock that well compared to 1gb modules of the same speed.
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So I gather but if I was going for 4 modules, wouldn't it be better for me to get 4 x 1GB of PC28500 instead of PC26400?


Deluxe1 said:
If you want something with abit more headroom then i`d go for this 4gb kit that costs roughly £150:

http://www.gskill.com/en/f2-8000cl5d-pq.html
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This memory (on paper) at least does appear to throw a spanner in the works when it comes to comparing 2x2GB to 4x1GB 6400 memory. Its definately high up on my list at the moment; I just wish I could see this compared in a review of some sorts, or a first-hand user review (looking at you andyr!). The price isn't brilliant but I know there's a premium for the extra convenience and scalability with larger size modules and I'm ok with that.
 
Right so just casting all the PC6400 memory aside; my real choice is between the 4GB G.Skill DDR2 PC2-8000 PQ Series , 2 x 2gig kit and 4 x 1GB of PC28500 memory.

That does at least narrow the choice down a bit.
 
The last time I overclocked something it was an AMD Duron 800MHz @ 1GHz and that involved changing the multiplier and a pencil I believe.

I've no idea what the factors are when picking memory in consideration of a desired overclock (which happens to be 3.6GHz). So is 1066MHz going to be ideal for me then?
 
It seems as though its not worth trying to overclock that memory at all, but 1GHz guranteed doesn't sound too shabby.

Edit: Upon further reading around that forum it appears some peeps have got it up to 1100MHz so along with its competitve price its looking good so far.
 
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Yeah I just followed the posting history of one of the posters. I guess there's no reason not to get this then. It will leave 2 banks spare as well in case I want 8GB (!) in the future.

Thanks for all the responses so far.
 
And by the time its actually built it will have depreciated by hundreds!

Found out today the special cable I need to connect the cheetahs to the areca is out of stock everywhere and lead time is 4-6 weeks!

Only got 3 hitachi's atm, leaving space to upgrade to 6 later.
 
HEADRAT said:
All that porn don't store itself you know ;)
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I've been sussed out!

The 3 x 750GB's I got at the moment will be setup in RAID5 so will only give 1.5TB of usable space which covers all the data I got now plus a little spare. I'm allowing scalability of up to 3 additional 750GB drives for the future.

The cheetah's are only 73GB each and will be setup in RAID 0 for windows/programs/games.
 
I'm not fussed about redundancy on the windows partition. I'll backup all my favourites, program settings, game saves etc hourly to the RAID 5 array which in turn will backup overnight to eSATA storage. If for whatever reason I loose the partition, I won't have lost anything that can't be replaced within a day.

To me a windows/games/programs partition is all about performance.
 
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