need help choosing memory for a P35 mobo

[MikeFL]

I've narrowed it down to either:

Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

OR

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Is either clearly better than the other or is there another recommendation for memory if not either of those?

I don't plan to do any overclocking since I'm not very tech savvy if that will make a difference on the choice of memory.

 

[Gravemind123]

If you don't plan on doing overclocking, then neither of them has an advantage over the other.

 

[tlmck]

Save some headaches and money and go Corsair XMS2 same spec.

 

[MikeFL]

I see the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R supports 1066mhz memory. Is the upgrade from 800mhz noticible enough to justify the purchase or would 800mhz suit my needs just fine?

 

[Scotteq]

Yes, 1066 memory is noticably faster. No hugely, but definitely noticable. Do note that if you plan on a 4GB setup, many motherboards won't run 4 sticks all the way to 1066. That, and 1066 memory is basically "Factory Overclockable". I haven't toyed with any which defaulted to their rated speed. Most default to 800, so you'd need to go into the Bios and tell it to run at 1066. Not hard to do at all. I only said it so you're aware.

 

[chookman]

Contrary to popular belief if you are not OCing the C2D chips there is little to no noticable gain between 800-1066mhz. Sure synthetic benchmarks will be a little higher but none will notice a difference day to day. If you have a 1066FSB C2D it will utilise 533mhz by default, 1333FSB C2D will utilise 667Mhz by default. Once you start to OC the cpu (as most C2D are multiplier locked the only way to do this is increase FSB) keeping the RAM:FSB at 1:1 has been found to be the best option to OC. Increase on a q6600 has been known to reach 1600mhz FSB (or more, 8x multiplier and quad pumped 400fsb) which will utilise 800mhz RAM. So unless you want to OC to extremes, most highend RAM will actually run faster than the CPU/FSB can utilise and provide little gain.

Most 800mhz sticks are fairly cheap (compared to the 1066 or greater) get something with decent CAS timing (low latency) and a good brand. Some brands/types can OC better than others but if you are never going to OC this isnt an issue. I personally have Patriot RAM and have had no issue and Crucial get excellent reviews. IMO get the cheaper one.