It's been torture seeing these parts sit around since last year, but I haven't really had the finances to finish till now. Finally, with a budget video card from RedRozeWolF (thanks, man!), I'm gonna start putting it all together this weekend.


Course, I can't really OC it much it till I get new RAM; right now I've got 2x512MB of Kingston HyperX (off the top of my head I think it's CH-5 chips).

Which brings me to the point: I'm looking for RAM recommendations from the knowlegable overclockers among you. I'll probably go with 1GB (2x512) again, simply cause I can't really afford 2GB. I'm leaning toward OCZ. Is it better to get higher-latency, higher speed rating (like this 2.5-4-4-10, PC4800) or low-latency, lower speed rating (like this 2-2-2-5, PC3200)? And what's the difference between OCZ Gold and OCZ Gold GX (besides the heat spreader and thirty-two bucks)?

This rig will be mostly used for web development (small-to-medium Photoshop files, .NET development). Maybe some gaming, but I haven't played much since getting married last year.

Normally, I'd do all sorts of research till I knew as much about the subject as anyone, but then I thought there might be some of y'all who'd like 19 rep points in exchange for your knowlege.

EDIT: After looking at the prices, maybe 2GB wouldn't be TOO much of a stretch, especially as they've got some sweet rebate deals right now (like this).

Well. I know from personal experience that that 3200 is monster overclockers. I was able to reach DDR500 daily at 2 2 2 2 with 3.1v. When I cranked up the voltage and mounted a fan to them and gave them 3.4v(not recommended for daily use) I was running DDR540 at 2 2 2 2. That is the same kit that I got the fastest current SuperPi time with. That DDR600 is nice. If you really would like a 2 gig kit. I was looking at this kit. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231021 But G.Skill doesnt exactly have the best RMA department. Most guys are running those sticks at DDR540 with those stock timings which arent bad at all. Some even got up to DDR600.

BTW That mobo looks familiar. Good luck with the build. If you have any questions I should be able to help.

In my experience and as shown by my testing, raw speed overcomes low latency. Go fast or stay at home.

High speed, high-latency a la DDR600 2.5-4-4-10 will CRUSH DDR400 2-2-2-5.

I've got the DDR600 "Elite Edition" of the RAM you selected from OCZ, and it rocks. It'll match up perfectly to your processor if you want to run the RAM 1:1. 2.5-4-4-8 @ DDR600 is Prime stable for me. What kind of clock speed are you aiming for here? 3.0Ghz shouldn't be a problem if you manage to get a good stepping (what are the first five letters of the stepping, a la CABNE, CAB2E, etc.), and running 300x10 would yield some wicked fast scores. I know that at 300x9 on my setup, I get ~7200MB/sec mem bandwidth through Sandra.

With what you said you would be working on, 1GB should be enough. You can go with 2GB if you feel you'd need it, but it would make your overclocking more of a pain since you'd need RAM dividers. Luckily, the DFI LP has a large assortment of dividers, so if you are willing to sacrifice peak clock speed for sheer space, a nice set of DDR500 RAM would be good, like that Gold GX XTC DDR500 from OCZ. I'm actually picking up a pair of that next week!

So anyways, if you need help with the overclocking, $Solid$ Necro, Cpt. Planet, or myself are always available via MSN, or here.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

Ator, the Operton is a CABYE (0540).

I've been happy enough with 1GB so far; it's been fine for the type of work I do. But I don't upgrade very often, so I thought 2GB may last me a little longer. But if there's potential for better performance at a lower cost with 1GB, that's fine too!

Thanks again for the mobo, Planet!

Honestly, 2GB at a lower speed will probably give you better real-world performance! RAM speed doesn't help too much unless you are a big benchmarking freak (like myself). It's up to you, though.

CABYE 0540 is a nice stepping.

Oh, BTW, those CH-5 chips should overclock nicely if you run a lot of voltage through them (like 3.1-3.2). If they're anything like BH-5, you should be able to get approx. 250Mhz out of them @ 2-2-2-5 timings.

Your hyperX is pretty good if its CH-5, they normally do about 240 2-2-2-5. Get that OCZ gold (theres no difference between the regular and the GX) if you want to get some new stuff.

Though you could use your HyperX until you can afford a 2x1GB kit.

sorry guys, newb here again and I'm trying to catch on... what does BH-5 and CH-5 mean... thanks in advance

Those "BH-5" and "CH-5" designations are the model numbers of the actual chips used in the RAM. Each model has different overclocking characteristics. For example, BH-5 usually benefits from more voltage than CH-5, helping it reach higher speeds at tighter timings (lower latency).

Here's an excellent resource for descriptions of different RAM chips:
http://sa3doc.co.za/article63

And here's a partial but large list of which RAM models use which chips:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=50010

i gotcha... thanks... and thanks alot for those resources, I really appreciate it!

so if BH-5 is so great, why did they stop production of these amazing chips?

Quote: Originally Posted by jaggerman so if BH-5 is so great, why did they stop production of these amazing chips?

It required a very high voltage level to get such speeds and timings, and that means they don't last very long.

I just got some Crucial Ballistix PC3200 based on Micron "G" chips that I have running daily @ DDR500 2.5-2-2-5 2.8V. They run a little warm but it isnt bad. Ive been able to push them stable to DDR600 3-3-3-8 with only 3V! (only with some excellent ambient temps)Not to shabby for only $115. Heres a link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148007

would u notice a big difference if you were to change the CAS from 2.5 to 3.0 or vice versa?

Quote: Originally Posted by jaggerman would u notice a big difference if you were to change the CAS from 2.5 to 3.0 or vice versa?

You wouldn't notice much of a difference...tighter timings will only show up in benchmarks, to be honest.

and benchmarks are results of tests right?

Quote: Originally Posted by jaggerman and benchmarks are results of tests right?

Benchmarks are tests...

To get back on topic, have you come up with a decision on ram yet FF?