What ram do I get?

[alex350r]

Hi all,

Ive currently got the following processor:

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail

Currently using 4gb of OCZ PC2-6400C4 Ram which if I understand correctly runs at 800mhz. Ive currently got the CPU overclocked to 3ghz using 9x333fsb and a 1:1:00 divider on the RAM.

I want to upgrade to 8gb but i have 4x1gb sticks at the mo, nightmare!

Should I get 8gb of PC2-8500C5 Ram? Would this allow me to overclock more? what are the benefits versus cost?

Cheers

Alex

 

[rjk]

pc6400 is fine
what is it you do that warrants 8GB or ram?

put your q6600 at 400X8 and the ram dividers will give you nice round numbers to work with
allowing you to run your current ram at its maximum potential

 

[alex350r]

pc6400 is fine
what is it you do that warrants 8GB or ram?

put your q6600 at 400X8 and the ram dividers will give you nice round numbers to work with
allowing you to run your current ram at its maximum potential

Just noticed that Vista uses about 30-40% on its own thats all. Sadly I tried 400x8 but it does not post

Ive tried all sorts like up cpu vcore and changing memory timings but to no avail. If anyone has any other ideas for getting 400x8 to work then I would be grateful !

 

[Big.Wayne]

I'd get RAM that can run at 1066MHz-DDR2 at the very least if you want to provide extra memory bandwidth for your bandwidth hungry CPU.

PC2-6400 is ok but choose the better sticks that can overclock. I've never paid a lot of attention in the past to memory/system bandwidth but believe me it makes a lot of difference.

Even at stock your 266MHz-FSB chip should have memory running at 533MHz (1066DDR2) to really get going!

That's why there are some LGA775 DDR3 platforms because Core 2 works better when paired with uber fast memory and one of the main selling points of Core i7 is the amazing bandwidth that platform comes with!

I will be trying to get my old Micron D9 sticks running at a real 666MHz as soon as possible, dunno if it will be possible but I have an old friend who is a memory specialist and maybe able to help me tweak the advanced memory settings to get every last MHz from the chips.

Timings are not as important now as pure raw MHz, choose wisely!