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2 vs 4 DDR2 sticks

D

diliff

n00b
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
40
I was just wondering exactly what the potential issues with using 4 sticks as opposed to 2 in a system?

Last time I built one from the ground up, I had 4 sticks without a problem on a P4 2.4ghz OC'ed to 3.2ghz (mem overclocked at a lower ratio though.. 4:3 or something), but I've read quite a lot of people saying that it stresses the northbridge more than 2.

I'm looking to get either a Q6600 or E8400 and overclock 30-40%. I'm looking at (preferably) 8gb of DDR2 PC6400 ram to complement this OC. What are the chances of running into memory related problems with this overclock if I use 4 x 2gb sticks? If this is going to be problematic, I think I will probably go for 2 x 2gb instead, but I wanted to see what you guys thought.
 
It'll make the NB work harder, and might limit your overclock a little, but generally the Intel chipsets (P35 particularly) are pretty good about 4 sticks.
 
I have not personally tested 4 modules on 780i yet but, it appears that the Intel chipsets are still clocking 4 modules better based on what I am seeing in forums. What MOBO are you going for?
 
Unless you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, 4x2 is waste and will most likely reduce your overclocking success. I just don't see a need for 8GB of RAM right now. 4 seems to be the sweetspot. You will have more bang for the buck with 2x2.
 
On the P965, I don't have any issues with 4x1GB. But I don't overlock. Even runs at the stock 1.8v for the modules, everything auto detected. I would expect, and based on everything I've heard, the P35 works similarly well.

I second the, 8GB RAM is not necessary for most people yet. Maybe your using your system for a bunch of virtual machines, or for some professional rendering apps, but it's usually safe to assume not. I'd get just 2x2gb now, and evaulate whether you want to bump up to 8gb in 6mo - 1year.
 
I actually just had the same exact question as the OP. I want to do the same thing...OC a q6600 with 8 gig memory. I know that 8 gig is wasteful for the vast majority, but I wanted to be able to mess around with RAMdisks and virutal machines...etc.

I just posted about this question in the mobo forum before I saw this thread. Anyways...has anyone had success with 4x2gig sticks + q6600 + overclock (I'd like to get most out of the q6600 as possible).
 
My X38 board loves clocking my 4x1gb sticks very high. Just as high as I can get stable with 2x1gb (460mhz), so I'm pretty happy with it.

My P965 board made me drop from 450 to 430 mhz to stay stable with the 4 modules.
 
I'm currently running 4x2048, Q6600 and a Gigabyte P35 board.

I'm able to hit 3.6 and am stable (Prime 95 for 24 hours).

I run Adobe CS2 and Vista x64. I do notice a difference with 8GB vs 4GB when processing large numbers of files (probably due to OC on CPU & amount of memory).
 
capreppy said:
I'm currently running 4x2048, Q6600 and a Gigabyte P35 board.

I'm able to hit 3.6 and am stable (Prime 95 for 24 hours).

I run Adobe CS2 and Vista x64. I do notice a difference with 8GB vs 4GB when processing large numbers of files (probably due to OC on CPU & amount of memory).
Click to expand...

GREAT! I am very happy to hear this...it sounds like I SHOULD be able to accomplish what I want!

So from your overclock, I assume you are running your memory at rated DDR2 800 speed? (400 FSB with 1:1 memory ratio?)?

If so...can you go any higher? Is your cpu maxed, your mobo maxed, or your memory?

It actually sounds like you are in quite a sweet spot...1:1 memory, cas4 timings, and 3.6 on your quad core. Pretty much the exact OC I'd hope for, and anything over that is just gravy!
 
bobn4burton said:
GREAT! I am very happy to hear this...it sounds like I SHOULD be able to accomplish what I want!

So from your overclock, I assume you are running your memory at rated DDR2 800 speed? (400 FSB with 1:1 memory ratio?)?

If so...can you go any higher? Is your cpu maxed, your mobo maxed, or your memory?

It actually sounds like you are in quite a sweet spot...1:1 memory, cas4 timings, and 3.6 on your quad core. Pretty much the exact OC I'd hope for, and anything over that is just gravy!
Click to expand...

I'm pretty much at my sweet spot. I could probably go higher, but I'm Temp limited at this point. I'm looking to WC this summer and will then try again.

The memory can do 5-5-5-15 @ DDR2 1000 (2.1v). Once on water, I'll give it a try. Probably looking at fsb of 500 and 8 multiplier.
 
You can run ddr2 1000 speed with all 8 gigs at 5-5-5-15??

Which exact sticks of G.Skill do you have? I see a DDR2 800 cas5 pair on newegg for about 90 bucks... Or did you get the ddr2 1000 rated sticks?
 
Does the memory you just linked above have different chips than this?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

I noticed that the cheaper stuff is rated at ddr2 @800 @1.8-1.9 volts. The ddr2@800 cas4 is rated at 2.0-2.1 volts (same as the ddr2@1000).

Anyways...so I'm just wondering if all three sticks are the same...and they just get the faster cas4 version and faster clocked version @ 1000 by increasing the voltage??

Can you just get the cheaper ddr2@800cas5 stuff and up the voltage to 2.0-2.1 and have it perform like the other two sticks?
 
Check the sig... i am running 4 adata 1 gig ddr2-800 @ 933Mhz 5-5-5-15 no problemo

i think there was a time when 4 sticks were not as stable as 2 sticks overclocked.... then u know what happens... it gets accepted as a general rule of thumb.....

they will say the same thing when we using TERABYTE sticks...
 
bobn4burton said:
Does the memory you just linked above have different chips than this?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

I noticed that the cheaper stuff is rated at ddr2 @800 @1.8-1.9 volts. The ddr2@800 cas4 is rated at 2.0-2.1 volts (same as the ddr2@1000).

Anyways...so I'm just wondering if all three sticks are the same...and they just get the faster cas4 version and faster clocked version @ 1000 by increasing the voltage??

Can you just get the cheaper ddr2@800cas5 stuff and up the voltage to 2.0-2.1 and have it perform like the other two sticks?
Click to expand...

That question, I do not know. It seems likely, but I don't know for sure. I do know that the DDR2 800 (cas 4) is the same as the DDR2 1000 (cas 5), so it is possible.
 
I'm running 4x1 ballistix PC2-8500 at 1000 4,4,4,8,2T 2.1v and it works great on a 780i board. Prime95 small overnight with no errors.

They are quite the little heaters, but not that bad. I can still touch them without burning my fingets. I did decide to put a small 60mm fan blowing down thru the center of them...made them much cooler.

They did have a small prob when I got them. Seems the sticky stuff between the chips and the headspreaders didnt make full contact. I ended up using a woodclamp and some balsa to pinch them tight overnight before I ran them. I cma see someone not seeing that and running htem...with those center chips not touching hte heatspreader...that would totally fry them in no time.

Dont know if this is a crucial only problem...or if other vendoes have tis same issue

lord my spelling is horrible
 
NiViK said:
They did have a small prob when I got them. Seems the sticky stuff between the chips and the headspreaders didnt make full contact. I ended up using a woodclamp and some balsa to pinch them tight overnight before I ran them. I cma see someone not seeing that and running htem...with those center chips not touching hte heatspreader...that would totally fry them in no time.
Click to expand...

hm, i wonder if this is the cause behind the ballistix failing so often :eek:
 
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