I need to know the deal...... - Overclock.net

internal · 01-11-06

Trying to wrap my head around this RAM situation is driving me insane.

As soon as I think I have it figured out another question pops up.
This is one question that will explain alot for me.

What is better OC'ing RAM between these two:
G.SKILL Extreme Series DDR500 (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231021
or G.SKILL Extreme Series DDR400(2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231034

The timings on the DDR400 stuff are way better but it has a higher price tag.

Won't the DDR500 stuff have just as good of timings as as the DDR400 stuff when the 500 stuff is downclocked to 400 and end up costing less?

This is one of the final peices of this memory puzzle for me but logic tells me the moer $$$ stuff is going to be better but maybe not under curcumstances like OC'ing.

If anyone has any insight on this, I would appreciate it.

wowza · 01-11-06

humm popular question.. Well, i learned that the black sticks (the PC-4000 in this case) arn't good OCers. You will get a better OC from the PC-3200 memory (light blue). I have seen people hit 270+ with those things, there a great price too for 2Gigs.

Quote:

Won't the DDR500 stuff have just as good of timings as as the DDR400 stuff when the 500 stuff is downclocked to 400 and end up costing less?

Not necessarly, the DDR500 is rated at 3-4-4-8 at DDR 500, i would expect those things to run 2-3-3-5 or around there at PC-3200 speeds.

btw, one of your links isn't working...

tytlyf · 01-11-06

I would go with the Blue ones as well, GSkill is great memory. I love mine

pbasil1 · 01-11-06

Have you looked at the OCZ memory? They have awesome overclocking ram to for a good price aswell...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d&PageSize=100

internal · 01-11-06

Just thought I'd update this thread.

After ordering the DDR500 G.skill sticks last night, I x'd out that order and placed an order for the 400mhz ZX light blue sticks after wrapping my head around all of this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231032

My theory is this: running 2gigs in 1T mode 200mhz is more then enough memory bandwidth for current gaming. The thing that is usually missing at the 2gig level is the timings.

I'd be SUPER happy right now if these ram sticks will get me 210-220 mhz at advertised timings of 2-3-2-5.

I personally would get more out of my $200 with those awesome timings as a gamer.

At least this is the thoery.

Please feel free to find any holes in my thinking.

pbasil1 · 01-11-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by internal

Just thought I'd update this thread.

After ordering the DDR500 G.skill sticks last night, I x'd out that order and placed an order for the 400mhz ZX light blue sticks after wrapping my head around all of this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231032

My theory is this: running 2gigs in 1T mode 200mhz is more then enough memory bandwidth for current gaming. The thing that is usually missing at the 2gig level is the timings.

I'd be SUPER happy right now if these ram sticks will get me 210-220 mhz at advertised timings of 2-3-2-5.

I personally would get more out of my $200 with those awesome timings as a gamer.

At least this is the thoery.

Please feel free to find any holes in my thinking.

looks like a great buy to me...

metalkobra · 01-11-06

go with the DDR500 just to be safe for overclocking, why? because youll end up loosening your timings anyways and when you get the OC you want, THEN you can tweak the ram, but thats just my two cents.

sccr64472 · 01-11-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by internal

Just thought I'd update this thread.

After ordering the DDR500 G.skill sticks last night, I x'd out that order and placed an order for the 400mhz ZX light blue sticks after wrapping my head around all of this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231032

My theory is this: running 2gigs in 1T mode 200mhz is more then enough memory bandwidth for current gaming. The thing that is usually missing at the 2gig level is the timings.

I'd be SUPER happy right now if these ram sticks will get me 210-220 mhz at advertised timings of 2-3-2-5.

I personally would get more out of my $200 with those awesome timings as a gamer.

At least this is the thoery.

Please feel free to find any holes in my thinking.

Those are Hynix ICs and should run 230 mhz at 2.5 3 2 6 1T which will be faster than 2 3 2 5 1T at 200 mhz. Btw, even though they'll run 2.5 3 2 6, benchmark 2.5 3 2 7 against it and you'll probably find that it's actually faster because of the sweetspot on the memory controller of the San Diego.
Edit: Just saw that you don't have a San Diego, so ignore the last sentence. I'll leave it in there in case anyone reading does.

internal · 01-11-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalkobra

go with the DDR500 just to be safe for overclocking, why? because youll end up loosening your timings anyways and when you get the OC you want, THEN you can tweak the ram, but thats just my two cents.

O for sure.

That was my entire line of thinking but I've came to grips with a balance between RAM speed and timings but I'm operating off the assumption that fast timings is what gives that overall smooth snap you get when you turn the real fast on a FPS.

If I'm going worry about timings and just go for more ram bandwidth I might as well just keep what I have now cause I don't think I'm going to see an overall difference in games with even more RAM clocks.

My current RAM setup is 4x512 mixed match valueram 212mhz 2.5-3-3-5 2T and score RAM 5125 MB/s in Sandra.

Again, if anyone finds any holes in my thinking please speak up.

THX

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