SLI RAM?

[vibe]

Hi y'all,

Still shopping for parts and ideas before 1st build starts in the new year, so far..

Q6600
EVGA 680i A1

Was going to go with 2x2GB of OCZ PC2-6400C4 800MHz Reaper
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-096-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=

Was then pointed towards the SLI model...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-097-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=


Rig will always have 2 cards in but for inital build I'm salvaging a 6600GTX and a 8600 256MB. One day, funds depending, I'll upgrade and get cards for SLI 8800 Ultras (or high end at the time) but because I want to use multi VDU most the time and only turn on the SLI for gaming from time to time, I'm not sure what RAM to go with.

Any comments most welcome.

V

 

[akhilles]

My buddy has the same combo, but AR mobo +

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-082-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=817

However, XP's unstable with SLI ram enabled in bios. I would set them up manually, but he loves to load bios defaults when XP takes 1 sec longer to load.

 

[Zorg]

I am amused. My non SLI ram runs at 4-4-4-12. Can anyone say marketing hype?

Edit: In case you wanted to know the RAM type Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

 

[vibe]

Thanks for swift reply, sadly I'm too new to understand your answer LOL

What is ment by setting up manualy? is this something done in BIOS and will it resolve stability? easy to do?

My main question should really be "Is the advantage (if any) SLI RAM only seen when in SLI mode (2 cards one screen) or will i see it in multi screen also, (2 cards 4 screens, on my rig)"

If there is no advantage when not in SLI mode think I will be best going with the none SLI RAM

 

[Scotteq]

"SLI RAM" = Marketing Hype

 

[Zorg]

My main question should really be "Is the advantage (if any) SLI RAM only seen when in SLI mode (2 cards one screen) or will i see it in multi screen also, (2 cards 4 screens, on my rig)"

If there is no advantage when not in SLI mode think I will be best going with the none SLI RAM

Ok, I can understand your confusion let me explain. There is no additional value of any kind in using SLI RAM. It is complete and total bull crap designed to confuse noob buyers. It doesn't matter if you use on board graphics, one graphics card, two VGAs or 100 VGAs.

In my opinion, OCZ should be ashamed of themselves.

All that matters is the speed e.g., DDR2 667 or DDR2 800 and the timings e.g., 5-4-4-15 or 4-4-4-12. Lower timings are better. And of course the size, which I think you probably have worked out.

 

[cpburns]

SLI RAM is different from SLI video cards. plain answer right there

SLI video cards, you know what that does, chains two cards together for improved performance and image quality.

SLI RAM? nice way to buy into the marketing name. people believe in SLI video cards, most don't know the difference when it comes to RAM.

SLI RAM is just a nice way of saying "this memory will work on this motherboard with low latencies and high speed, [like it should anyway]"

save your money and don't bother buying their fancy-shmancy marketing gimmick.

Edit:
i agree with Zorg, OCZ and nVidia should indeed be ashamed of themselves. it's utter bullcrap trying to sell something to poor ignorant customers who don't know any better. it's just sad because i like OCZ's products otherwise. i don't believe in spending $100 extra on some memory that's guaranteed to go an extra useless 266MHz higher when the stock DDR2-800 will work beautifully instead. SLI memory my a$$.

 

[vibe]

Haha some angry people out there today, JK

Thanks for the advice, it all makes sence now.

Any comment on my choice of RAM..
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-096-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=
with the EVGA 680i A1 and Q6600?

Any other options out there for same or slightly higher price? Rig is looking to be high end gamer and OC'd at a later date with water cooling system.

V

 

[rodney_ws]

"SLI RAM" = Marketing Hype

What he said... but I would like to add that "SLI RAM" exists only because buyers for it exist.

 

[Zorg]

Haha some angry people out there today, JK

Thanks for the advice, it all makes sence now.

Any comment on my choice of RAM..
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-096-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=
with the EVGA 680i A1 and Q6600?

Any other options out there for same or slightly higher price? Rig is looking to be high end gamer and OC'd at a later date with water cooling system.

V

What you should do is go to the mobo website and look for their QVL "qualified vendor Listing" for the RAM. The RAM compatibility page. Then look go and look for DDR2 800 RAM with the lowest timings and the best price that's on the list. You're just going to have to do some leg... uh...er finger work. Once you find it, come back and post it to determine if it is junk.

Edit: RAM that is not on the QVL most likely will work, but that's not always the case and is really aggravating.

 

[akhilles]

I never understood SLI RAM & PSU. Now there's CF RAM & PSU.

When the SLI RAM setting is enabled in bios with SLI RAM installed, the other settings can't be changed. It takes over. I don't like that. I'm a manual kind of guy. The setting is greyed out when non-SLI RAM is installed.

 

[james_8970]

SLI/Crossfire certified PSU's is a program to guide people to buy the right PSU if they are going to try to run SLI or crossfire.
They do this because they don't want a customer to buy two high end video cards then try to power them up with a 450W generic PSU. While any Kilowatt PSU will do the job (that I know of) with or without the certification, many people aren't will to spend 300-400$ on a PSU. That being said there are 650W PSU that will do the job, others that won't, it's just a guide line for people who know nothing on the subject.

While there is truth and reasoning behind a SLI/Crossfire certified PSU, the RAM is bull $hit like what has already been mentioned.
James