Time to update to DDR3?

DaveGTY · 12 Jan 2011 at 12:14

Hi, i've got the upgrade itch and with prices of DDR3 memory as they are i'm considering the upgrade but would i notice a big difference?

My specs are:
Phenom 965 125w
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD3P
8GB OCZ Gold 6400 DDR2
Radeon 6970
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w

If it will be a big jump in performance could someone please recommend a new Motherboard and 4GB ram. I'd like to keep costs down as much as possible so i'm thinking around £150ish for both, the only thing i'd want is that the motherboard is black. I like the idea of the OC Genie on the MSi boards too but i'm open to ideas.

Thanks

Marine-RX179 · 12 Jan 2011 at 12:22

No. Just keep what you got...and may be try overclock the CPU a bit. It's not worth getting a new motherboard for the sake of going from DDR2 to DDR3, as the gain is minimal, comparing to increase in CPU speed.

If you were to get a new board and DDR3 ram, you might as well upgrade to Sandybridge and sell off your current CPU, ram and board.

This is rough estimate of what you can get back for selling:
Phenom 965 125w (£80)
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD3P (£20-£30)
8GB OCZ Gold 6400 DDR2 (£70-£90)

Total money back: £170~£200

Sandybridge CPU+motherboard bundle (£300):
http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-014-OP

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz (£42):
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

reflux · 12 Jan 2011 at 12:24

No point at all. You wouldn't see the difference.

Semple · 12 Jan 2011 at 12:29

as above not much difference whatsoever.

welshdragon · 12 Jan 2011 at 13:56

overclock that 965 dude, mine appears stable at 3.6 on stock volts, I've had 3.8 stable with a vcore of 1.425. 4g should be easily acheivable

DaveGTY · 12 Jan 2011 at 14:26

Thanks for your input everyone, i guess i'll stick with what i've got then.

Welshdragon, i might just do that. I tried oc'ing it once before automatically through amd overdrive and it wasn't stable. I reverted back to stock and haven't bothered since, i'll look into it, cheers

Marine-RX179 · 12 Jan 2011 at 14:33

DaveGTY said:
Thanks for your input everyone, i guess i'll stick with what i've got then.

Welshdragon, i might just do that. I tried oc'ing it once before automatically through amd overdrive and it wasn't stable. I reverted back to stock and haven't bothered since, i'll look into it, cheers

Software based overclock for CPU is not reliable at all. If you want decent and reliable overclock for CPU, you MUST play with BIOS settings (and ideally a better cooler than stock cooler if you want to clock it to high-end overclock).

DaveGTY · 12 Jan 2011 at 14:47

I have a Xigmatek Dark Knight cooler with an Akasa viper fan on it so i'd hope it should be ok even if i don't get to a high-end oc.

I see there's a beginners guide in the oc & cooling section so i'll have a look through before diving in.

Marine-RX179 · 12 Jan 2011 at 15:09

DaveGTY said:
I have a Xigmatek Dark Knight cooler with an Akasa viper fan on it so i'd hope it should be ok even if i don't get to a high-end oc.

I see there's a beginners guide in the oc & cooling section so i'll have a look through before diving in.

You'd be fine with that cooler. So all there's left is for your to play with overclocking your CPU in BIOS.