What is the best memory for this combo?

[jakes69]

Intel i7 920 & DX58os running Vista

I'm running mostly Adobe softwares & some gaming in between. I'm thinking either a 6GB Corsair Dominator or OCz Platinum. I most likely won't be doing any OC...since I'm not really good at those kind of stuff. Corsair costs $50 more...is it worth the price? Or if you have any other suggestion please let me know. Thanks in advance!

 

[arges86]

both are good chip companies w/ great products
Dominator is product line, w/ multiple chips under that name
Just remember to look for lowest latency. The lower the better, but i wouldn't pay an exorbitant amount of money for a small gain in memory performance

 

[Twoboxer]

Since the question can't be answered without looking at the specs for each part, I grabbed these three from Newegg:

#1 CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D - Retail $190
8-8-8-24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

#2 OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail $112
8-8-8-24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

#3 OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail $145
7-7-7-24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381


When you compare #1 and #2, both are name brands that guarantee performance at the same rated speed, voltage, and timings. #2 is $78 cheaper, so if you aren't overclocking that's the one to buy. If you are overclocking, you may believe (or may find proof in reviews) that the Corsair will overclock faster and easier.

#3 is guaranteed to run at the same speed and voltage, but at faster timings. Importantly, with only 7 latency (the first "7" in the 7-7-7-24 string). So this memory only requires 7/8ths as long a delay between "accesses" as #1 or #2.

Of these, #3 is the best memory for a non-overclocker. It may also prove to overclock as well or better than the Corsair, but none of that is known or guaranteed by the specs.

#3 will benchmark faster, help overall system performance by a few percent, but frankly that probably won't really be noticable in day to day use.

Hope that helps.

 

[jakes69]

Platinum it is...Thanks again!