Comments on choice of Memory

[alex_gm]

I'm in need of 1GB of good memory for a new workstation. I'll be working with CAD assemblies which require at least 1GB of good memory.

I've been interested in "OCZ Dual Channel Special Ops XTC 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory". Is this a good choice?



link: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2240435&CatId=1386

 

[Mondoman]

Something like this seems better, as it runs at CL4 latency: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17910&vpn=OCZ2P8001GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology#CustomerReviews

However, you haven't told us what MB/CPU you have, whether or not the CPU will be OC'd, what exactly "good memory" means, and so forth. Note also that most DDR2-800 RAM that you buy will require boosting the DIMM voltage to higher than the standard 1.8V in order to run at the advertised specs. This post may help: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1249881#1249881

 

[aposatsk]

Something like this seems better, as it runs at CL4 latency: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17910&vpn=OCZ2P8001GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology#CustomerReviews

However, you haven't told us what MB/CPU you have, whether or not the CPU will be OC'd, what exactly "good memory" means, and so forth. Note also that most DDR2-800 RAM that you buy will require boosting the DIMM voltage to higher than the standard 1.8V in order to run at the advertised specs. This post may help: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1249881#1249881

I'm sorry. I'm horribly behind with technology.

I'm not yet sure which MB and CPU I will choose; although the 6300 seems like a good choice.

I don't plan to overclock. If this is my choice, are you suggesting against the 800? If I do overclock, is my warranty gone?

 

[aposatsk]

Anyone?

Something like this seems better, as it runs at CL4 latency: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17910&vpn=OCZ2P8001GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology#CustomerReviews

However, you haven't told us what MB/CPU you have, whether or not the CPU will be OC'd, what exactly "good memory" means, and so forth. Note also that most DDR2-800 RAM that you buy will require boosting the DIMM voltage to higher than the standard 1.8V in order to run at the advertised specs. This post may help: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1249881#1249881

I'm sorry. I'm horribly behind with technology.

I'm not yet sure which MB and CPU I will choose; although the 6300 seems like a good choice.

I don't plan to overclock. If this is my choice, are you suggesting against the 800? If I do overclock, is my warranty gone?

 

[vpsaline]

if you are not overclocking your e6300 you wont see much benefit using faster ram then DDR2-533 (PC2-4200). Thats because your cpu front side bus speed (266) and ram speed will (266) will run in tandem and basically be optimized together. You will see a tiny benefit in using faster ram, but it would be extremely negligible unless you overclock your cpu along with it to make it catch up.

 

[aposatsk]

if you are not overclocking your e6300 you wont see much benefit using faster ram then DDR2-533 (PC2-4200). Thats because your cpu front side bus speed (266) and ram speed will (266) will run in tandem and basically be optimized together. You will see a tiny benefit in using faster ram, but it would be extremely negligible unless you overclock your cpu along with it to make it catch up.

So unless I overclock the 6300, there's no point in buying the 667 or 800 ram? Would I have to overclock heavily? Does this void my warranty? Would I have to get a better fan than the one supplied with the processor? Will overclocking enough to make the 667/800 worthy seriously injure the lifetime of my processor?

 

[Mondoman]

...
So unless I overclock the 6300, there's no point in buying the 667 or 800 ram?

Future C2Ds will run at faster FSB speeds, and will require DDR2-667 or faster RAM at a minimum. If you get faster RAM now, you won't have to replace it in the future if you upgrade CPUs or decide to OC.

...Would I have to overclock heavily?

You can OC as much or as little as you like. 333MHz FSB (corresponds to DDR2-667) is a 25% CPU OC.

...Does this void my warranty?

CPU warranty, yes. MB, likely not. RAM, for sure no.

...Would I have to get a better fan than the one supplied with the processor?

Not likely.

...Will overclocking enough to make the 667/800 worthy seriously injure the lifetime of my processor?

25% OC should be quite safe. Higher speeds/voltages may require more robust cooling, but many aftermarket coolers don't blow air onto the adjacent MB components like the stock cooler does; this can cause those components to overheat, depending on the MB design details.