Hyperfish - please read - question...

SteveDude said:

Hyperfish (or anyone else who knows):

I'm getting a 3.06GHz processor with ASUS p4g8x-deluxe MB, and have
a question about the optimal DDR for it. I can't get a handle on
whether I'll be wasting money in this configuration with faster DDR
modules, or if I'll be able to benefit (as long as I set the
timings myself). I'm also tryiing to understand which benefits
will be stronger - the pure clock rates (ddr266 vs. ddr400) or the
CAS/RAS stuff (2-3-3-6 vs. 2-2-2-6).

I was thinking about getting the Corsair PC3200C2 DDR modules (2 x
512MB), but there's also "low latency" modules that preconfigure
the memories to agressive timings and are guaranteed at the 2-2-2-6

1. s.

So here's the question... Will I be able to benefit from the
fastest DDR in this dual ddr system (DDR333 or DDR400 even)? Or
should I stick to DDR266, but get good Corsair memory that runs
easily at 2-2-2-6.

Thanks in advance...

--

Click to expand...

Hyperfish said:

SteveDude said:

Hyperfish (or anyone else who knows):

I'm getting a 3.06GHz processor with ASUS p4g8x-deluxe MB, and have
a question about the optimal DDR for it. I can't get a handle on
whether I'll be wasting money in this configuration with faster DDR
modules, or if I'll be able to benefit (as long as I set the
timings myself). I'm also tryiing to understand which benefits
will be stronger - the pure clock rates (ddr266 vs. ddr400) or the
CAS/RAS stuff (2-3-3-6 vs. 2-2-2-6).

I was thinking about getting the Corsair PC3200C2 DDR modules (2 x
512MB), but there's also "low latency" modules that preconfigure
the memories to agressive timings and are guaranteed at the 2-2-2-6

1. s.

So here's the question... Will I be able to benefit from the
fastest DDR in this dual ddr system (DDR333 or DDR400 even)? Or
should I stick to DDR266, but get good Corsair memory that runs
easily at 2-2-2-6.

Thanks in advance...

--

Click to expand...

Hi Steve-

if you intend to run stock speeds, (IE: No OCing) get RAM rated for
2/2/2 timings.
The Asus board only runs synchronous RAM timings, so it
automatically runs the RAM at a 1:1 ratio with your FSB. That
3.06GHz runs 533 (133 quad pumped) so the RAM will only run 266.
(133 x 2)

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1748&p=5

This about sums it up:
http://www.aceshardware.com/read.jsp?id=50000346
************************************************************
"...For the people who hardly overclock, there is no need to buy
DDR400. Wait until DDR400 is officially supported by Intel in about
six months. Intel tends to make sure that the quality of DRAM at a
certain speed..."
"...it should be noted that Granite Bay only performs well with
DDR266 which can run at 2-2-2. While DDR that can run at 2-2-2 is
easily accessible to the review sites, I doubt strongly that most
PC users will buy and use it. Most DDR333 and DDR266 runs easily at
CAS 2 (2-3-3), but is not able to run at 2-2-2. So basically, the
performance delta between the i850E-PC1066 and Granite Bay systems
is in reality higher than most reviews indicate..."
"...So that is the main reason why Granite Bay's performance is a
bit disappointing, it needs fast DDR333 run at DDR266 2-2-2 to keep
up with the old i850E chipset and is at the same time much more
expensive than the old RDRAM chipset..."
************************************************************
In a nutshell, since the Granite Bay boards only run the RAM
synchronous to FSB speeds, they won't really shine unless you "lean
on them." (overclock)

The other point of interest is latency.Theoretically, DDR
should offer LESS latency than RDRAM, in practice, that's NOT
the case:
************************************************************
"...While the Dual DDR266 channel is up to 15% faster in reading
long datastreams, the Rambus channels are up to 60% more efficient
when handling writes and interspersed read and writes. So while
most memory benchmarks report "read bandwidth" numbers, the reality
is that overall, the i850E offers more bandwidth on average..."
************************************************************
Bottom line, go for the fastest rated sticks you can find. (2/2/2/5
or better)

Samsung is always a good choice & great value for the $$$:
http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=article&dId=329&dPage=7

Some other reviews:
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/Corsair_XMS3500/
http://www.ocaddiction.com/reviews/memory/3200roundup/
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Articles/DDR400/index.htm
http://www.ocprices.com/index.php?rev_id=104
http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/memory/corsair3200/index.htm

Hope this helps!

Click to expand...

SteveDude said:

Thanks for the info - but if you don't mind - I want to make sure I
understand...

So it appears that DDR266 is as fast as I need, and that any faster
won't make any difference, but that I want 2-2-2-5 memory for the
fastest latency #s.

Right?

Click to expand...

SteveDude said:

Thanks!

Click to expand...

SteveDude said:

Hyperfish (or anyone else who knows):

I'm getting a 3.06GHz processor with ASUS p4g8x-deluxe MB, and have
a question about the optimal DDR for it. I can't get a handle on
whether I'll be wasting money in this configuration with faster DDR
modules, or if I'll be able to benefit (as long as I set the
timings myself). I'm also tryiing to understand which benefits
will be stronger - the pure clock rates (ddr266 vs. ddr400) or the
CAS/RAS stuff (2-3-3-6 vs. 2-2-2-6).

I was thinking about getting the Corsair PC3200C2 DDR modules (2 x
512MB), but there's also "low latency" modules that preconfigure
the memories to agressive timings and are guaranteed at the 2-2-2-6

1. s.

So here's the question... Will I be able to benefit from the
fastest DDR in this dual ddr system (DDR333 or DDR400 even)? Or
should I stick to DDR266, but get good Corsair memory that runs
easily at 2-2-2-6.

Thanks in advance...

--
D60, 28-135IS, 50mm 1.8, http://www.pbase.com/stevegrillo

Click to expand...

dave strydom said:

I am also buiding new PC and read all the reviews.
http://www.hardwareseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rid=51882
read this and bought this mobo and will want to run my chip with
this setting. All so added ocz 3200 2x 512 memory and will run the
timig as hard they have it.3-6-3 2T Timings
Do you think this good added raid to mb and 2x wd 80jb drives.
Will run xp pro and matrox 550 card
Please advise what setting you think for bios.
Thanks Dave

Click to expand...

Hyperfish said:

Thankyou

Click to expand...

Hyperfish said:

dave strydom said:

I am also buiding new PC and read all the reviews.
http://www.hardwareseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rid=51882
read this and bought this mobo and will want to run my chip with
this setting. All so added ocz 3200 2x 512 memory and will run the
timig as hard they have it.3-6-3 2T Timings
Do you think this good added raid to mb and 2x wd 80jb drives.
Will run xp pro and matrox 550 card
Please advise what setting you think for bios.
Thanks Dave

Click to expand...

Hi Dave-

Be careful, OCZ has had a... "Checkered" past:
http://www.athlonxp.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9003
(You might find cached pages on various search engines using
Over Clockers Store)

If the sticks won't run their rated speed out of the box, dump 'em
& get Samsung, Corsair XMS, etc.

Your board can run sticks at 2/2/2/5 if they can handle it. 3/3/2/6
would be considered slow on that board, although at EXTREME speeds
(160+FSB/2.66 memory ratio) you'll probably have to slow down the
timings.

Usually, the fastest you can run at aggressive timings
(2/2/2/5) will net better OVERALL system performance vs. a higher
FSB & slower RAM timings...

Click to expand...