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Decided on AM2, need different memory

A

Ander5

n00b
Joined
Feb 20, 2006
Messages
36
I just got persuaded by the guys in the AMD forum to go with a processor from the Athlon 64 X2 line (thinking of the 4200+, since it is set to be marked down on 7/24 to $240) with the AM2 socket. Here are the specs of my rig as of now:

Chassis: Thermaltake Armor Jr. (Silver)
PS: OCZ PowerStream 520W
Primary HD: WD Raptor X 150GB SATA
Secondary HD: WD Caviar SE16 320GB SATA
Memory: Corsair XMS 2GB (512MBx4)
Mobo: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Video Card: XMX GeForce 7900 GT (256mb)
Optical Drive: NEC 16x DVD +/- RW Combo Drive

I need some help with the memory, as I have always used DDR, and have no knowledge whatsoever of DDR2 and what is good and what is not. It was recommended in the previous forum that is should shoot for PC6400/DDR800. So, what do you guys think?
 
Go with Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 memory, trust me... you will not regret it.
 
I would get the corsair too... I mean I ordering the parts right now as well.. but it appears the egg is out of stock on the corsair

Getting

Biostar TFORCE 550 AM2
AMD64 AM2 300+
eVGA 7600GT

and I was gonna get that G-SKILL Ram too.. but it does say Intel only which scares me.. I dont see how that is so..

not to hijack to much...

but how much of difference would there be going with ddr2 667 vs. 800 ??
 
Ander5 said:
What are good timings for DDR2? I know for DDR it is around 2-3-2-6.
Click to expand...

4-4-4-12 or faster is good for 2GB matched pairs. 5-5-5-15 is pretty much standard for 2GB PC2-6400.
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
not much.

i've had good luck with crucial ballistix so far
Click to expand...

are you saying not much to ddr2 667 vs 800 ???

im all new to the ddr2 thing.. and i am building a mid-range gaming pc for my girl.. my budget is 625 dollars... I just want to make sure I get the best possible performance for the budget is all.
 
Why would you want your DDR to run at 2T? 4 sticks = 2T, 2 sticks = 1T...anyhow, stick to the 1GB modules.
 
Ander5 said:
I think I'll stick with Corsair. The XMS is also SLi certified if I plan to do SLi down the road. Thank you for all your help!
Click to expand...

Okay... why does RAM need to be "SLI Certified" ? This has to be a marketing gimmick of some kind. Maybe it's that the RAM will work in SLI boards?

I vote Ballistix on the RAM.. it's spendy but worth it.

Peace,
Tim

 
somecallmeTim said:
Okay... why does RAM need to be "SLI Certified" ? This has to be a marketing gimmick of some kind. Maybe it's that the RAM will work in SLI boards?

I vote Ballistix on the RAM.. it's spendy but worth it.

Peace,
Tim

Click to expand...

It doesn't. It's a marketing gimmick.
 
somecallmeTim said:
Okay... why does RAM need to be "SLI Certified" ? This has to be a marketing gimmick of some kind. Maybe it's that the RAM will work in SLI boards?
Click to expand...
the "sli cerified" ram has EPP, which is basically an extension to the SPD. not very useful for me, but to the novice overclocker, it might be handy

Weazmeister said:
Why would you want your DDR to run at 2T? 4 sticks = 2T, 2 sticks = 1T...anyhow, stick to the 1GB modules.
Click to expand...
until mobo mfg's stop putting out really crappy boards, don't bank on being able to run 1T with 2x1gb at ddr2-800.
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
the "sli cerified" ram has EPP, which is basically an extension to the SPD. not very useful for me, but to the novice overclocker, it might be handy


until mobo mfg's stop putting out really crappy boards, don't bank on being able to run 1T with 2x1gb at ddr2-800.
Click to expand...

I was refering to his DDR not his DDR2. Check his earlier post, he "prefers" 4 sticks rather than 2 for his DDR.
 
Weazmeister said:
I was refering to his DDR not his DDR2. Check his earlier post, he "prefers" 4 sticks rather than 2 for his DDR.
Click to expand...
true, but technically the am2 stuff should be able to run at 1T a ways past 400mhz.. and in my experience, msi's board can't, it appears that asus's board can't. biostar might, and i know foxconn can.
 
ZipZoomFly has the XMS2 instock... get it from them then. Go with the DDR-800.



Also, I've been hearing rumors with problems associated with OCZ and GSkill memory in M2N32 boards... also the fact that XMS2 was the memory used during R&D on the M2N32 boards so you are more likley to experience less problems.
 
Ander5 said:
I think I'll stick with Corsair. The XMS is also SLi certified if I plan to do SLi down the road. Thank you for all your help!
Click to expand...


You can run 2 graphics cards in SLi mode without "SLI Certified RAM", just to make that clear. Whoever thought up calling this type of RAM Sli RAM should be taken behind the woodshed and . . . nevermind.

Anyway I prefer OCZ and Crucial over Corsiar but that is mainly personal preferance. That Patriot RAM is a pretty good deal with that rebate, but I have never owned any Patriot RAM so I cant really comment on that.

I am guessing that you probably wont notice any difference between all these different RAM modules you have listed. Quicker timings might help SLIGHTLY but not to much. The difference between 4-4-4-12 and 4-5-4-15 ( OCZ sticks ) will be almost nonexistant. Buy whatever you are comfortable with but I would be carefull about spending $60+ extra to get better timings.

Maybe someone else can give an opinion on this to further help the OP.
 
I had a stick of that patriot ram.. Was pretty decent considering I also has a trashy ni8-sli abit...
 
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