RAM Questions

Okay, I've been in the pursuit for RAM for quite awhile now. I'm interested in DDR2 RAM, but I don't know what speeds I want, and I have some questions about what do certain fancy names mean.

NOW! I want 800Mhz, because I've heard it's the best for overclocking memory timings and the speed, is this true?

There is a lot of price difference between certain RAM that are pretty much the same, so I want to know the differences.

I'm definitely looking for 2GB (2 x 1GB to get Dual Channel bonus, this is because 1GB isn't enough).

I'm interested in the new Corsair XMS2 Dominator range, but I need help choosing one that is good for me, and is good for some safe ocing.

What I do: Heavy browsing, having too many windows open, playing resource hungry games (BF2, Oblivion, BF2142, etc), play around with videos, re-organise 200GB of files all the time, graphics design, web design, and a few other things.

But I think you get the gist.

Please suggest some RAM for me so I can look them up according to my usage requirements.

 

Bump.

 

You'll first need to let us know what the brand/model of your motherboard is. Or if you have a pre-built computer, what brand/model it is. (i.e. Dell Dimension 4500)

If you have a Socket 478 Pentium 4 processor, then your motherboard probably only takes DDR RAM. DDR and DDR2 are 2 different types of RAM and are not interchangeable.

 

Nah, this is for a new Intel Core 2 Duo computer I want to make. I'll probably be getting the ASUS P5B Deluxe Mobo.

 

That Mobo supports DDR2 http://www.crucial.com/ballistix/st...S&cat=&model=P5B+Deluxe&submit.x=8&submit.y=8

 

I know the mobo supports DDR2, I just want to know what speed would be best for overclocking... I've seen 800Mhz used in ocing guides, even though you can get faster ones, is it the best for ocing, or what?

 

Well, when you are overclocking, you are essentially increasing the speed of the front side bus. So, if your memory supports a FSB higher than the processor, there would be less of a chance of the memory holding you back. So, I would think it would be better to get faster memory rather than lower timings.

You might go with something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227153

or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144032

That way you could get the FSB up to 225 or 250, respectively, before you even need to overclock the RAM.

 

ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTT!... Wait do not jump the gun man I was just looking up the specs on my Mobo on the MSI site and the freaking thing only can use max 800MHz Type sticks and mostlikely can OC it But hey man you should do the same yo! and BTW Your a freaking Genius at the age of 14 man My cousin is like 14 and hes an Idiot he knows nothing bout this all he knows is Myspace... wiat wait wait... Ok man Now for some reason I read some more and it saysMy mobo only supports Dual Channel up to 800mhz only which sucks but dude check urs out

 

Im
Also looking up the structure of your mobo man... Not looking too good cause it seems like there are 2 PCI slots between your PCI-E slots which i think that will not be good if you wanted to SLi or w/e you do keep looking man dont rush it too much

 

Thanks for the compliment.

I don't need SLI, nor Crossfire. I'll just be getting a Nvidia 8800GTS when it comes out. But thank you for your help.

Thanks Wyatt_Earp for your help as well. I haven't been able to find any Core 2 Duo boards that supports 1000+ RAM, and plus, it's way too expensive...

Would it make a dramatic difference in the overclocking if I had 800Mhz instead of 1000Mhz? I won't be overclocking much, i'm just using a Zalman Fan/Heatsink, no Phase Change, or water cooling.

 

That's not really the point. If you are overclocking, you will be pushing the front side bus past 800 Mhz on the RAM, therefore, I would think it would be advantageous to have memory that is rated at a higher speed than 800Mhz.

 

So the mobo doesn't need to support it? Wtf? Then it won't work...

 

What are you talking about?

 

I think what Wyatt is saying, is that your MOBO wants lower Memory speeds but most max out at 800MHz for only the memory... As in alot of Mobos are starting to support alot of over-clocking options so with those in mind they make it so you can push the memory to go at faster speeds while they are like 800mhz. OK what Im saying is that the Mobo wants you to over clock other wise your memory stays at that speed Rather Dual Channel or not Just saying that the mobo gives you options to make it OC to thoses speeds...

 

I saw a guide on overclocking RAM, and Corsair XMS2-6400 (1GB sticks) got up to 11xx, from 800Mhz.

What I thought you meant was buy RAM with stock speeds of 1000Mhz+, even though my mobo will only support 5333, 667 and 800Mhz.

 

There you go man, but still what it will come down to is cooling the Ram and Mobo, so Im guessing MOBO has something to do with how much you can OC to. Watch out for that and If you get RAM and stuff get better heatsinks on it . Everything has to be perfect if you want to OC... leave no stone unturned

 

Yeah, I won't be ocing much... I'm getting XMS2 RAM, which has heatsinks built in, and all that. I think that should be plenty.... Oh, by the way, do new RAM sticks come with thermal detectors on them, so you can access their temps in programs, and w/e?

 

That's exactly what I am saying. Even if your motherboard says it only supports 800 Mhz, it doesn't mean you can't push your memory past that point. This is essentially what overclocking is... If you get 800Mhz memory and it doesn't go much higher, there's nothing you can do. However, if you get 1000Mhz RAM, it should run just fine up to that point and probably more. If the memory doesn't make it to 1000Mhz, you can always send the RAM back and get new sticks since they would be faulty.

 

If you want to overclock a Pentium4, check out the Asus P5WD2 mobo: it supports DDR2-800 and is great for overclocking. Generally speaking, any board with the Intel 955 or 975 chipsets are good overclockers. Check this link:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/10/dual_41_ghz_cores/page11.html
it's a GREAT article about OC'ing a P4 up to over 4.0ghz!!!! The article was published awhile ago but the info is still very helpful and interesting.... I think it came out in mid May 2006.....

hopperdave2000

 

I'm getting Core 2 Duo.