RAM choice HELP!

[gera229]

Which would be better between these nine?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227420
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220335


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052108080%201052315794%201052416064%201052508081&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16820227420%2CN82E16820227377%2CN82E16820227267%2CN82E16820220335%2CN82E16820220293

Thanks.

 

[GhislainG]

It's usually better to select modules that require 1.8V-1.9V.

Modules with tighter timings and/or lower voltage requirements than your selections:

G.Skill PI Black: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

G.Skill HK: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219

 

[gera229]

Thanks. But will I be able to get my CPU q9550 running at 3 ghz which is a slite overclock with these? Thanks.

 

[gera229]

Chislain between the links which one would you recommend me because I can't choose???? Thanks.

 

[gera229]

Why is it better to select one's with lower voltages???? I want it reliable enough as I see even the higher voltages have some great reviews. Thanks. I mean good latency but lower voltage can also cause a problem.

 

[GhislainG]

I mean good latency but lower voltage can also cause a problem.

Certainly less than modules that require higher voltages. I run 8 GB of G.Skill PI black and the system is stable. All modules that you chose are DDR2 800 MHz. You can always run them at a higher frequency, but you'll need to loosen the timings.

Lower voltage is better simply because you can increase it if need be. If you select modules that already require over 2.0V, your margins are smaller. A good example of what manufactures do is this other G.Skill kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231216

It most likely is identical to the PI Black DDR2 800 kit, but they increased the voltage requirement by .2V and set the timings to 4-5-4-12 instead of 4-4-4-12.

I would buy the PI Black over the HK because the PI Black should cool a bit better. I have 8 GB of PI Black and it runs very stable at 1.9V. It also runs quite good at 1.8V, but I had one crash after 3 months and that's why I increased the voltage to 1.9V. To be honest, you can safely assume that the highest recommended voltage is required to ensure maximum stability.

 

[gera229]

Will it work with a UD3R mobo? Thanks. And how much difference will CL4 be better than CL5? Is it noticeable? I know it is for slower computer but I'm getting a high end one.

 

[GhislainG]

If it runs on a UD3P, then it will also run on a UD3R. CL4 is faster, but you need to run benchmarks to tell the difference. On the other hand, that same memory will run at 5-5-5-15 and 1.8V by default and at 4-4-4-12 if you select EPP in the BIOS. It will run no matter what Core 2 CPU you use.

High end to me is a computer with dual Xeon 5570.

 

[gera229]

Well I'm willing to get a q9550 cpu. So it comes 5-5-5-15 stock (The IP Black) and you have to just enable EPP??? Or what were you talking about. I think that will be my choice I guess I will order. Thanks.

 

[GhislainG]

You just set the memory profile to EPP #1 and it automatically selects the correct voltage and timings.

 

[gera229]

Are you sure the UD3R will ahve the EPP setting? Thanks. And I'm also worried that some don't have dual channel support for the ud3R I hope mines doesn't come like that.

 

[GhislainG]

If it doesn't, then set the timings and voltage manually. Unless you run benchmarks, you'll never notice the difference.

 

[gera229]

So CL 4 is not really necessary right I mean have you experienced having both CL4 and CL5? Thanks. And as for the mobo which mobo do you have?

 

[GhislainG]

I have 8 GB of G.Skill PI Black in one system (GA-EP45-UD3P) and 8 GB of older G.Skill http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231148&Tpk=F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK in another system (P5Q Deluxe). The other systems have slower RAM. You should never mix memory; all modules should be identical. If you plan on installing 8 GB, then get all of it now. I need 8 GB to run VMs.

 

[gera229]

Ok Thanks. But since I will get the ud3r I might as well try to get that G skill I feel like buying the CL 5 G skill but this one is only 8 dollars more. So how exactly do you change voltage and set CL to 4? Because since you have ud3p it's almost the same as ud3r Thanks.

 

[gera229]

What if I do like a bios update or something will that make everything default? Thanks.Ok now I'm into asking if I rather get a 1066CL5 than a 800CL4? I heard that for AMD CL matters most and for Intel bandwidth matters most. If it is true that if I get Intel and a 1066mhz CL5 would perform better and in games than a 800MHZ CL4 then can you recommend me any of that as I see plenty of g skills for the same price at higher bandwidth? Thanks.

 

[geofelt]

My 2 cents:
Get the cheapest ddr2-800 ram from a vendor you trust.

Don't pay more for faster speeds or better timings unless you are a maximum overclocker. (such an overclocker knows what he wants already)

Benchmarks of real application performance(vs. synthetic benchmarks) show minimal improvement in FPS or application run times between the fastest and slowest ram. Think 1-3%.

 

[gera229]

Ok how much percent difference would it be if it was 800mhz CL5 vs 1066 mhz CL 5 so both CL5 ? And how much percent would it be Between 800mhz CL4 and 1066mhz CL5? As for I know that 800mhz CL4 is 2-4% better than 800 mhz CL 5 as you have said 1-3 almost the same thing can you answer the questions please. Thanks

 

[geofelt]

Differentiate between the synthetic memory bandwidth tests and real application results.

The synthetic tests will show definite differences. But... we run real games and applications.

For games, the vga card is much more important than the cpu. But even with a top end vga card the difference in ram makes almost NO difference in fps.

Some applications will run slightly faster with better ram, but the difference is not noticeable.

Here is an example for the i7:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-scaling-i7,2325-11.html

Here is a report on ram speeds for the Phenom ii x4:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-ddr3,2319.html

Similar results are found for core 2 cpu's, I can't recall where.

 

[gera229]

Ok Thanks. So I guess I will just get an 800mhz CL5 Ram. Thanks.

 

[GhislainG]

You probably didn't realize that they all are CL5, but for a few kits, CL4 is achieved through the EPP profile. By default, the G.Skill kits that I suggested will run at 1.8V and 5-5-5-15 timings (which is the DDR2 800 MHz JEDEC standard). Since they can run at CL4 and tighter timings at 1.9V, then they should be very stable at CL5, looser timings and 1.8V.

 

[gera229]

Well Thanks. But I just want ones as cheap as possible. As PI Black is 55 and I found some for 47 at CL 5 800mhz. And I don't plan on changing anything in bios but maybe just a slight CPU overclock without touching anything else just FSB which won't change the ram. But thanks.