Which RAM for the i7 920?

[computernewbie]

So i need RAM for my i7 build, and i was thinking of getting t he OCZ platinum, but after reading that lower speeds are actually better for the i7, so now i dunno what memory to choose, suggestions?

 

[Crashman]

So i need RAM for my i7 build, and i was thinking of getting t he OCZ platinum, but after reading that lower speeds are actually better for the i7, so now i dunno what memory to choose, suggestions?

I'll make this easy for you: A lot of it has to do with response times.

DDR3-1066 operates at 533 MHz bus clock. 533 MHz CAS 6 = 11.3ns

DDR3-1333 operates at 667 MHz bus clock. 667 MHz CAS 8 = 12ns

So the response time of 1066 CAS 6 is a little better than 1333 CAS 8. But you can buy 1333 CAS 7! That's 10.5ns. Of course, 1066 CAS 5 is 9.4ns

If you go all the way down to 1333 MHz CAS 6, you win at 9ns response time You can't beat that with DDR3-1066. And if you think 1333 C6 sounds unrealistic, Tom's Hardware has a budget DDR3 review coming later this week that shows how realistic it really is.

OH, and DDR3-1600 CAS 7 is a little better, but that setting is far harder to achieve than DDR3-1333 CAS 6.

 

[xaira]

yeeeeeeh wat he said, wen u see things like ddr3 2133 plus, its just for bragging rites

 

[computernewbie]

How do you calculate the response time? That'd make finding the right memory much easier 😛

Does the response time mean for every program, games and such?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-scaling-i7,2325-7.html
Looking at the benchmarks, DDR3 1600 at 11-11-11-30 steppings has a better score than 1600 with 8-8-8-24 stepping?

 

[Crashman]

How do you calculate the response time? That'd make finding the right memory much easier 😛

Does the response time mean for every program, games and such?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-scaling-i7,2325-7.html
Looking at the benchmarks, DDR3 1600 at 11-11-11-30 steppings has a better score than 1600 with 8-8-8-24 stepping?

For DDR3-1333, divide one by the frequency (half of data rate is 667 MHz) to get cycle time, multiply by cycles (CAS latency) and move the decimal point over three places.

Edit: The weird 3DMark results may have been caused by the order in which the modules were tested. 3DMark generally gets its best score either the first or second time its run.

 

[xaira]

43,000 posts!!!! dude do you sleep?

hey when i reach 1500 points i become a regular rite?

 

[computernewbie]

For DDR3-1333, divide one by the frequency (half of data rate is 667 MHz) to get cycle time, multiply by cycles (CAS latency) and move the decimal point over three places.

Edit: The weird 3DMark results may have been caused by the order in which the modules were tested. 3DMark generally gets its best score either the first or second time its run.

thank you ;] finding out its response time will help me alot

one more question, does the response time improve in everything? like does the response time act in every component and program, like games or itunes and such. Will a memory with a lower response time be better than another memory with a higher response time in all programs? What im asking is what the response time effects the most

 

[computernewbie]

i still dont know how to find the response time x.x

i tried it with DDR3-1333 frequency, 667 x 8(CAS latency) = 5336 which = 5.3 response time? what am i doing wrong?

 

[computernewbie]

oh wait nvm 😛, i thought when you said "divide one" you were referring the the cycle time as if it was a person...or something like that

 

[prelude2250]

i got the 3x2gb triple channel 1600mhz set from G.Skill for $95 from newegg. Its done me great so far. Had em for about 4-5months. About to get another set prob.

 

[computernewbie]

i got the 3x2gb triple channel 1600mhz set from G.Skill for $95 from newegg. Its done me great so far. Had em for about 4-5months. About to get another set prob.

Another set on the made computer? you dont need anything more than 6GB

 

[prelude2250]

Who are you to tell me what I do and don't need? LOL! no about to build a i7 gaming rig for a friend. Like i said I've had no issues with mine. And its cheap for what it is.

 

[belial2k]

I like having 12gb...but then again I don't restart my computer very often...and I've been known to have 6 or 7 programs running at a time while I game.

 

[prelude2250]

the only time I have used all of my 6gb's is when I install some games. It will only leave me 256mb out of 6144mb's

 

[belial2k]

For the average user who shuts down the computer every time they are not using it, and closes all other programs before gaming 6gb is probably enough. But I figure I have a power system, so I will use it like one. So I multitask like a fool, even when gaming. Once you get used to not making no compromises its hard to go back.

 

[belial2k]

lol..."not making no compromises"....well, you know what I meant.