Help in Selecting new Memory

[mikeifgf]

Hi guys, I just signed up to this forums hoping for some advices from you guys. Anyways, I'm going to start to build a new rig, ordering my parts mainly from zipzoomfly (no taxes to NY + mostly free shipping).

Also feel free to suggest any parts you would change. Keep in mind that I have'nt decided to rather OC or not. Even if I do OC, it would not be anything to the extreme.

Looking to spend around $900-1000; Already have a BenQ 20" LCD

Buying:

CPU: Core 2 Duo E8500 with Arctic Cooling Freezer 7

GPU: single ATI Raedon HD4850 (not sure which brand- also thinking about going for hd4870 instead).

MotherBoard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45

Memory: Not sure as of yet.

PSU: Corsair 750TX (750W)

HD: WD Caviar SE16 7,200rpm 640GB

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower

Thinking about 1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
or 2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

Which memory would you recommend and why?

I'd be using this rig for mostly gaming: cs source, s4 league, WoW, aion, etc..

Really appreciate it guys!

 

[AngryArtichoke]

Because higher memory clocks give very little gain, and often come with a much higher price, I'd say go with whatever you can get a good deal on. Make sure the manufacturer is reputable and has a good warranty. Also, when RAM hunting, it is beneficial to google the model number to see how well its ICs perform.

 

[tiraides]

I've never heard of S4 League and Aion before... are they MMORPGs?

If so -- and if they are all that you want to play -- the HD4850 would be more than enough. If you are going to play more games like Crysis and you want the best graphics quality and most frame rates possible, then go with the HD4870 instead. VisionTek is the only AMD/ATI-based manufacturer that offers limited lifetime warranties on all of its cards.

If you plan on overclocking your processor, stick with the E8400, as it will reach the same thresholds as the E8500. I also recommend a better CPU cooler than the Freezer 7 Pro; consider either the Xigmatek HDT-S963 (for light overclocking) or the HDT-S1283 (for heavy overclocking) -- and don't forget the retention bracket.

All you need, memory-wise, is the DDR2 1000 kit. Since there's only a speed difference of 66MHz between them -- actually, since they're listed as twice their actual speeds, only 33MHz -- you'll reach the same approximate OC thresholds.

Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
1:1 Ratio: 2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed
1:1 Ratio: FSB = 1/2 RAM speed

E8400:
Multi x Actual FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 400Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Easy OC
9 x 450Mhz, DDR2 900 RAM = 4.0Ghz <== Excellent OC
9 x 500Mhz, DDR2 1000 RAM = 4.5Ghz <== If you're EXTREMELY lucky

E8500:
Multi x Actual FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9.5 x 333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.16Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9.5 x 400Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.80Ghz <== Easy OC
9.5 x 450Mhz, DDR2 900 RAM = 4.27Ghz <== Excellent OC

You'll see no performance difference between the two speeds (or CL4 and CL5 memory), so go with the cheaper set you could find. If you're serious about not trying to heavily overclock the processor, you could get a 4GB kit of DDR2 800 RAM instead.

 

[mikeifgf]

S4 league is more of a TPS/FPS game, however, you can still earn ingame currency and level up to buy more advanced gears. Aion is an mmorpg developed by NCSoft. It's currently still in CB in korea. It's said to launch in NA/EU in late 2008 or early 2009. I'm looking forward to Aion.

I didn't want to spend the extra $100 buck. $290 for a GPU is too high for my taste Already bought the Sapphire hd4850, might have went for the VisionTek if i saw your post early. I went with E8500 because of their minor price difference ($20). If I do OC the my rig, it would only be somewhat of a moderate OC. I did read good reviews on the AC freezer 7 pro, and plus the fact that Newbiiz has them for $29 (free shipping) which came out to be $19 after MIR. So I've decided to buy one.

Fortunately, I did go with the pc8000. Figured it wasn't worth $25 for 33mhz upgrade. I don't know how memory plays a part in OC. I'm pretty clueless as in how to OC my rig lol.. I'm still learning. Thanks for all the advices though, appreciate it.

 

[mikeifgf]

One question, why isn't an AC Freezer 7 Pro good for overclocking? I thought it was :O

 

[Dangman]

One question, why isn't an AC Freezer 7 Pro good for overclocking? I thought it was :O

It was. Key word: was. There are better HSF for the price nowadays. I recommend getting in on this deal for a great HSF:
OCZ OCZTVEND2 Vendetta 2 120 Rifle HSF - $35

Doesn't cost that much more than the AC 7 Pro and has a $25 MIR. And the OCZ HSF will kick the shit out of the AC 7 Pro cooling wise. So it's a much better buy than the AC7 Pro.

I have the AC 7 Pro myself and I can tell you for a fact that it's a bad buy these days.