So, I've decided that it's time to order the stuff for my rig and I'm going to be pretty much limited to what's available to Iceland . Thankfully the mobo is available (DFI LANParty UT CFX3200), but the opty 170 isn't but the 165 is. Now onto the topic, which of these three memory modules are the best bang for buck (price listed is the price here in Iceland (yes I know the prices are sick).

OCZ EL Titanium 2x1GB PC-3200, lat 2-3-2-5, $511

OCZ EL Platinum 2x1GB PC-3200, lat 2-3-2-5, $453

OCZ EL Gold 2x1GB PC-4000, lat 3-4-4-8, $523

I'll be doing some overclocking, air at first and MAYBE some WC later.

EDIT: Another thing, is it possible to see the steppings on an AMD cpu while it's in the box?

The PC 4000 will generally allow the most headroom for Overclocking without using a memory divider.

However, the Opty 165 has a 10X multiplier, 10x250=2.5ghz) so even with PC 4000, you may still end up using a small one, most Opty's will easily reach 2.8~3+GHZ

PC4800 would be best, but using a memory divider does not realy hurt performance drastically in the real world.

I believe you can see the steppings in the window of the box with AMD's.

Quote: Originally Posted by $SOLID$ Necro The PC 4000 will generally allow the most headroom for Overclocking without using a memory divider. However, the Opty 165 has a 10X multiplier, 10x250=2.5ghz) so even with PC 4000, you may still end up using a small one, most Opty's will easily reach 2.8~3+GHZ PC4800 would be best, but using a memory divider does not realy hurt performance drastically in the real world. I believe you can see the steppings in the window of the box with AMD's.

Solid I hate to disagree with you but the opty 165 has a 9X multiplier, and the 170 a 10x .

The OCZ gold uses Samsung UCCC which is pretty good for overclocking. I have seen kits doing 290mhz. On average though they should do about 270mhz with loose timings(3-4-4-8)

Your best bet would be to pick up the 165, the DFI, and the OCZ PC4000. You can run a 5:6 mem divider on a 300Mhz HTT and your RAM will be running at it's rated speed. Not to mention with the 9x multi you'll have 2.7Ghz.

So the gold it is. But should I take the risk of getting the Opty 170 from an internet retailer and not knowing what stepping it is or should I go pick up a 165 which I know is good?

Opty 170s have been getting some damn good steppings recently, but I suppose if you know that the 165 is good, id get that

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex Opty 170s have been getting some damn good steppings recently, but I suppose if you know that the 165 is good, id get that

I'm not 100% sure if the store has 165's with good steppings, if they don't I'm definately going to order a 170.

Sounds like the best bet

If your prices are that high in Iceland would it not be cheaper to find an e-tailer that ships internationally? I've bought stuff from Frozen CPU before and its worked out cheaper than buying in the UK... not sure if any component stores do international shipping though.

Might be worth investigating



Mark

Quote: Originally Posted by markwalker84 If your prices are that high in Iceland would it not be cheaper to find an e-tailer that ships internationally? I've bought stuff from Frozen CPU before and its worked out cheaper than buying in the UK... not sure if any component stores do international shipping though. Might be worth investigating Mark

It can be cheaper (with some help) but it can also be alot more expensive, the Icelandic customs aren't very good

OcUK list Iceland on their shipping list, weight limits probably apply, but im sure something as small as RAM would be fine.

Their prices are some of the best in the UK too

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex OcUK list Iceland on their shipping list, weight limits probably apply, but im sure something as small as RAM would be fine. Their prices are some of the best in the UK too

But do give you the option of sending the package marked as a gift and without the receipt?

But I read about this guy here in Iceland who ordered two items of thinkgeek.com and got them shipped seperately, but the receipt for both items was in both packages and he was charged two times for VAT and Duty. Not willing to take that chance with high cost items.