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RAM for Wolfdale's

B

bigdavethehorn

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
412
'Lo all, I'm looking to build a new P.C. (component buying should start in January) and I'm wondering what kind of RAM the Q9450 Wolfdale will use?

I've been out of the game for a wee while now and I'm well out of touch with all of these fangled DDR2 speeds.

I do intend to overclock.
 
The Q9450 is actually a Yorkfield chip (two Wolfdales on one chip). The Q9450 is 2.66Ghz with an FSB of 1333Mhz QDR. That means for stock 1:1 settings, you'd need some DDR2-667. If you're OC'ing or just want to run the ram higher than the CPU, you could go up to DDR2-800... anything higher and I think its just a waste of money unless prices come down dramatically (2GB for DDR2-800 should be around $60USD for highly overclockable RAM -- ballistix can reach DDR2-1066 easily). Intel platforms perform best at a 1:1 ratio, btw. You won't notice much difference between CL4 and CL5, so don't pay a huge premium for lower latency. If you want 4GB, go with 2x2GB kit (should be around $140 USD; or slightly higher for some DDR2-1000) instead -- less possible problems with this config. DDR3 is still not mature enough yet and highly priced -- not worth buying over DDR2. It will most likely be worth buying by the end of next year, with Nehalem and its on-chip memory controller.


/*------------- <cut n paste> -------------*/
Formulas for Intel platform @ 1:1 settings: (base FSB speed is SDR, or single data rate)
(CPU Multiplier) x [Base FSB speed] = CPU Clock speed
2 x [Base FSB speed] = RAM speed (DDR: double data rate)
4 x [Base FSB speed] = Effective FSB speed (QDR: quad data rate)

On Intel platforms, running the RAM higher than a 1:1 ratio with the CPU is, for the most part, useless, so don't bother trying to do so. If the BIOS does it for you, just let it. All you need is a 1:1 config, though. Here's some possible clock speeds (as always with OC'ing, your results will vary):

Q9450: 8 × 333 = 2.6Ghz, DDR2-667 << STOCK speeds
Q9450: 8 × 400 = 3.2Ghz, DDR2-800
Q9450: 8 × 450 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-900
Q9450: 8 × 500 = 4.0Ghz, DDR2-1000
/*------------- </cut n paste> -------------*/
 
enginurd said:
The Q9450 is actually a Yorkfield chip (two Wolfdales on one chip).
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying that :)

enginurd said:
The Q9450 is 2.66Ghz with an FSB of 1333Mhz QDR. That means for stock 1:1 settings, you'd need some DDR2-667. If you're OC'ing or just want to run the ram higher than the CPU, you could go up to DDR2-800
Click to expand...

Ok, DDR2-800 it is, which is PC 6400 right?

If so, which of these should I go for if I was to buy the RAM now, whilst it's cheap:

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/kl.aspx?mfr=&bn=10605&sortBy=p&minprice=&maxPrice=

The P.C. will be for general use and gaming, so I'm thinking 3GB min.
 
3GB is an odd choice. I'd suggest 2GB or 4GB instead. Since RAM is cheap, just go with 4GB. Hm... RAM doesnt seem to be as cheap for you guys as it is for us... at least not for the Ballistix. Oh, this looks like a good deal:

£88 - OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (OCZ2G8004GK) (VAT Included)

If you want 2GB instead, so you can OC higher, go for this kit instead:

£52 - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C4 800MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA804) (VAT Included)

If you want to do 4x1GB, just know that you may have issues trying to power all 4 sticks, especially if they're high voltage/performance (higher than 1.8v).
 
The first OCZ option looks good to me!

Now, should I buy now whilst it's cheap, or wait until January time?
 
I'd buy it now since its cheap. I don't know how much lower it could go by Jan., though. If you're comfortable with that price, then go for it.
 
You've been very helpful so far, thanks!

Now, onto the meat of the build, the mobo.

P35 or X38?

My limited knowledge says X38 since it's the newer of the two, but they appear to be thin on the ground?
 
The only advantage X38 has over P35 is Crossfire, aside from PCI-E 2.0. I don't think PCI-E 2.0 alone is a good reason to go for an X38 board, simply because the X38 boards are so expensive. I think by the time PCI-E 2.0 vidcards are severly hindered by the PCI-E 1.1 slot, it will be time for a new board anyhow.

If you're buying now, go with P35. If you plan on waiting for the Yorkfields, you may want to wait for the Eaglelake chipset (small update to the Bearlake G33/P35/X38/etc chipsets) if you really want PCI-E2.0.
 
I don't really want PCI-E 2.0, but I'm concious that the last time I built a PC I was kind of stuffed when I wanted to upgrade.

I built a socket 754 board with an AGP GPU!
 
OK, after reading some reviews, the Abit IP35 Pro looks like it fits the bill.

Unless I'm missing something, it looks like this board should support Yorkfield and some nice overclocking?
 
It is a great board for OC'ing that supports Yorkfields. Its the crowd favorite right now.
 
Thanks very much for your help, I'm off to do some reading on which PSU will comfortably power this lot, and fit into a P180.

Then, I'm just waiting for January!

Thanks again!
 
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