want to get 8gb DDR3 CAS8 (or better) but can't decide which manu/model

Scougar

Scougar

Scougar

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As title, which should I go for when overclocking on sandybridge. Hoping to get the best timings at 1600Mhz at 1.5 (or lower voltage). g.skill and corsair seem the main one's, whist corsair don't do low profile cas8 :-(

Usage is for gaming, I don't care about super pi results/benching, only FPS and responsiveness of the system.
 
RAM speed makes no difference to overclocking with Sandy Bridge.

With the "K" series processors you overclock by increasing the multiplier so the RAM is unaffected.

Equally RAM speed and timings make very little difference in general with Sandy Bridge. See here. There's naff all difference between CAS8 and CAS9.

Just get the cheapest 1600MHz 8GB kit you can get by a reputable manufacturer and spend the money saved elsewhere.

Get low profile RAM if you plan on using a big CPU cooler.
 
Scougar said:
Usage is for gaming, I don't care about super pi results/benching, only FPS and responsiveness of the system.
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If you don't care about benching and you would prefer low profile i would get the XMS3.

I realise it's CAS 9 but you wont notice any discernible difference between that and CAS 8 memory running at the same frequencey.

The XNS3 also has a proven track record of running @ >1.5V across the forums - my 2 x 4Gb set are running happily at 1.4V.

Gibbo has had sets running at ~1.3V - i'll try and find the quote later.

EDIT: Beaten to it - but you should have a better overall picture with both Surveyors and my post.
 
Scougar said:
edit2: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18227647 Should be fine :-)
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You need to remember that as long as they're running below 1.58V they will be running at the recommended voltage and this is 'almost' guaranteed with the XMS3 sets.

The likelyhood is that you'll be running >1.5V - but i would start at 1.5V and make sure you set the frequency and timings manually as this ensures they're running at the right timings and frequency (i.e. don't rely on the XMP in the BIOS)

  • Command Rate - 2T
  • Timings - 9 9 9 24
  • Frequency - 1600
  • 1.5V to start
 
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Scougar said:
Plec, doesn't this (XMS3) memory run at 1T? (Or are those just initial settings to get it going?)
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Mine are rated at 2T in the XMP (under CPUz SPD) and as far as i know this is the standard.

However, some members have got their memory running at 1T - but when you're initially setting up and experimenting with sub 1.58V i would stick with 2T until your sure you have it stable at standard spec...

Also, you wouldn't notice any speed difference between the 2 settings so it's not a problem.
 
OK.. if you have the choice, would you go for vengeance Low profile (in black), or XMS3.. it's a style thing I guess? (But is there more to it?) (About to order 16gb whilst it's cheapish.. so appreciate the advice).
 
There are 2 flavours of vengeance low profile - 1.5V sets and 1.35V - both have the same timings.

If you're asking about which would i get then - if you're considering the 1.5V set i would pick which ever suited my pocket as i don't have a window and they both have the same spec (apart from guaranteed rated voltage)

However, the Vengeance low profile which have a 'guaranteed' voltage of 1.35V with the same timings only has a premium ~£6 over the XMS3 (i'm comparing them to the white ones at OcUK).

The memory would run cooler and in turn would help reduce the ambient temp of your case by a small amount. This would appeal to me as i'm experimenting with running my system on minimum voltage - while still maintaining a healthy clock.

Depends on what you're after - but raw performance wise there isn'y any difference between the sets.

EDIT: Unless you wanted to clock the memory - you would tech have more leg room with the vengeance as overvolting may allow you tighter timings and still be under the 1.58V threshhold (perhaps withoout overvolting - but again i stress that you wouldn't notice any speed difference with slightly tighter timings.).
 
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Gonna go for the Black vengeance LP (1.5v)... It seems. Shame it's not C8.

By the way.. the "sniper's" are only 1.25v !!

I don't actually have a motherboard to put them in at the moment lol. Just buying whilst cheap.
 
In the end went for Corsair Vengeance 8GB CAS 8 from OcUK, as I am also getting one of their H80 style coolers (so height won't matter).

Now just to get a board that I can put the DDR3 into lol.
 
Scougar said:
I don't actually have a motherboard to put them in at the moment lol. Just buying whilst cheap.
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Makes sense - especially if you see a this week special.

Scougar said:
Shame it's not C8.
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Once you get the rest of your set up and checked that everything is stable at stock - crank up the timings to C8 it may accept it.

What's the rest of your build going to made up of?

Additional: Just noticed this:

Scougar said:
(About to order 16gb whilst it's cheapish.. so appreciate the advice).
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Scougar said:
Usage is for gaming, I don't care about super pi results/benching, only FPS and responsiveness of the system.
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If the above is your intended use then 8Gb will be more than ample - infact 4Gb would be enough but 8Gb at todays prices makes sense. But 16Gb will give you no return for your money as you'll probably have 10Gb(min) doing nothing and even when games do start using more memory they will probably gear themselves around 8Gb.
 
As per usual... my posting trying to make a decision was pretty crap. Soz Plec.

I currently have 4gb DDR2 with no issues, and I wanted 16GB DDR3 (for a new board) whilst it was cheap, but head over heart decided on 8GB, and I bought the non-corsair H80 instead as well.)

I went for CAS 8 stuff as it was a good price, and one of the other members said the CAS 8 stuff actually clocks better than the CAS9 (is CL the same as CAS?)

System wise, I am trying to stop myself from getting:

ASrock Z68 extreme4 gen3 and a 2500K.

This means I'm trying to find a DDR3 775 motherboard lol. That or getting an older i5 and board.
 
Scougar said:
As per usual... my posting trying to make a decision was pretty crap. Soz Plec.
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Not a problem - be happy with your purchase.

Scougar said:
(is CL the same as CAS?)
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Yes, they're one and the same - Column Address Strobe (CAS) latency or just CL.

Scougar said:
System wise, I am trying to stop myself from getting:

ASrock Z68 extreme4 gen3 and a 2500K.
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Hehe, i can relate to that.

Although, you can get excellent quality P67 MBs at a great price if you don't need the extra features of the Z68 - plus all the faults have been revised out.

Scougar said:
This means I'm trying to find a DDR3 775 motherboard lol. That or getting an older i5 and board.
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Personally i would sell your old system and if money is tight i would buy a second hand i5 760 and MB - you may find you only have to spend a nominal amount by the time you've offset your sold parts and there would be a significant speed improvement in games/apps etc.
 
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Scougar said:
As per usual... my posting trying to make a decision was pretty crap. Soz Plec.

I currently have 4gb DDR2 with no issues, and I wanted 16GB DDR3 (for a new board) whilst it was cheap, but head over heart decided on 8GB, and I bought the non-corsair H80 instead as well.)

I went for CAS 8 stuff as it was a good price, and one of the other members said the CAS 8 stuff actually clocks better than the CAS9 (is CL the same as CAS?)

System wise, I am trying to stop myself from getting:

ASrock Z68 extreme4 gen3 and a 2500K.

This means I'm trying to find a DDR3 775 motherboard lol. That or getting an older i5 and board.
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May I ask why u want a socket 775 mobo? Does the I5 2500k run on this socket type. Just curious, really.
 
Scougar said:
I am a complete tool.. ordered the 4GB kit by mistake thinking it was 8GB @ CAS8. Doh. Total muppet, can't believe I did that.
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When did you order?

If it was today, and it hasn't been dispatched, you can drop them a web note (via their site) and amend the order.
 
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