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DDR2 RAM Upgrade

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bruins004

Joined
Sep 27, 2005
Messages
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Hey guys,

I am going get some new DDR2 800 RAM for a new gaming rig coming in.
The problem I have is I am not a RAM expert and want some nice RAM for OCing the system below:

C2D E6600
8800GTS
ASUS P5N-E SLI Mobo
250GB WD HD

I am looking not to go too much higher than $225 US Dollars.

I was looking at some of the RAM below (I believe most use PROMO chips). Hoping someone can find some nice Microns for cheap :)

G. SKill (Red heatsinks)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098

G. Skill (White heatsinks)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231087

Corsair XMS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590

OCZ Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227139

OCZ Gold
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227124

SuperTalent
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026

Patriot
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220174

Patriot
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220144

Also, what is the difference between PROMO chips and Epilida (obv. Micron is the best)?
 
Going to be a kick ass system. The board is still young, so compatibility is probably your biggest concern. This might be way out of your budget, but Crucial lists it as compatible with that board:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80061-32

Wish I could help more, can't speak for the IC quality... I have Corsair XMS6400C4 and so far it's great memory - have had it past the 1100 mark at Cas 5 with no problems.
 
Sasqui said:
Going to be a kick ass system. The board is still young, so compatibility is probably your biggest concern. This might be way out of your budget, but Crucial lists it as compatible with that board:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80061-32

Wish I could help more, can't speak for the IC quality... I have Corsair XMS6400C4 and so far it's great memory - have had it past the 1100 mark at Cas 5 with no problems.
Click to expand...

That is quite a bit out of range since I am not going to spend that much for Micron chips.
I will go about 225, not 295.

I agree though that that memory is kick ass.
Also, I do not care about compatibility since I have no problem changing boards.
I am just mainly concerned on what will OC the best with this system for around 225.
 
Also, I have heard that with the XMS C4 they stopped using Micron and now use Promos which arent that great at OCing.

In order to rectify this problem (since many complained), they are willing to give you the Micron ones, but the catch is that you have to pay the difference between the 2 (which is roughly $100 more dollars).
 
bruins004 said:
Also, I have heard that with the XMS C4 they stopped using Micron and now use Promos which arent that great at OCing.

In order to rectify this problem (since many complained), they are willing to give you the Micron ones, but the catch is that you have to pay the difference between the 2 (which is roughly $100 more dollars).
Click to expand...

That's a big difference... I did notice the reviews start to slide after I bought mine. I wonder how to tell what the IC is?
 
Sasqui said:
That's a big difference... I did notice the reviews start to slide after I bought mine. I wonder how to tell what the IC is?
Click to expand...

There really is only one way and that would be to take the HSF off and the chips will have Micron printed on them or w/e they are.
But do note that this VOIDS your warranty (lol).

I guess the only other way is to email then with the part numbers.
I also saw that they did not release too many with the Micron chips.
Based on the statements I saw over at HardForum, they said the only Micron C4s they had were the ones that could not pass to be C5's which are the extremely expensive Micron chips from Corsair.

What I also found funny was that the Dominator line doesnt even have Micron chips.
They say you are paying for the extreme cooling system they built :laugh:

Anyways, any suggestions anyone?
I am kinda in a pickle here as to which one to pick.
Was looking at the G Skill or Patriot, but then again Corsair and OCZ are good brands as well.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098 5-5-5-15 $184.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231087 4-4-4-12 $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590 5-5-5-12 $220.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227139 4-4-4-15 $235.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227124 5-5-5-12 $215.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026 4-4-3-8 $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220174 5-5-5-12 $251.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220144 4-4-4-12 $254.99

Also note...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2176265&CatId=2261 4-4-4-12 $270.99
Same stuff at Newegg...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134017 4-4-4-12 $282.99

So it looks like...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026 4-4-3-8 $239.99
...is the best bang for the buck.

If your overclocking your 6600 chances are your ram will need to be set to 533 and winds up under 800mhz unless you can get your fsb to 400. (6600 winds up at 3.6ghz then and it'll probably be on water cooling.) No point in getting 1066 or faster memory because the slow timings kill any benifit of the higher clocks. Plus it's expencive.
 
Lazzer408 said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098 5-5-5-15 $184.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231087 4-4-4-12 $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590 5-5-5-12 $220.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227139 4-4-4-15 $235.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227124 5-5-5-12 $215.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026 4-4-3-8 $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220174 5-5-5-12 $251.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220144 4-4-4-12 $254.99

Also note...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2176265&CatId=2261 4-4-4-12 $270.99
Same stuff at Newegg...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134017 4-4-4-12 $282.99

So it looks like...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026 4-4-3-8 $239.99
...is the best bang for the buck.

If your overclocking your 6600 chances are your ram will need to be set to 533 and winds up under 800mhz unless you can get your fsb to 400. (6600 winds up at 3.6ghz then and it'll probably be on water cooling.) No point in getting 1066 or faster memory because the slow timings kill any benifit of the higher clocks. Plus it's expencive.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help.
I am just curious now how Epilida chips overclock since SuperTalent stopped using the Micron chips in this set of RAM.
 
Judas said:
I would go for these ..got them my self pretty good performance ,not bad price either


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231114
Click to expand...

Hmm nice set.
How well do they OC?

Hmm ok I have set my decision down to a few now.
Here they are:

Mushkin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146673 4-5-4-11

G Skill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231114 4-4-3-5

SuperTalent
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026 4-4-3-8
 
Last edited:
Pay more attention to the timings. The better the timings your memory has at the rated speed the better they should perform overclocked with slightly looser timings. Like I said your going to be under 800mhz so don't be too concerned about overclocking. For example. The e6600 running a bus of 383 puts the ram at (400)576, (533)767, (667)960, (800)1152 so the next step in your ram o/c would be 960 and I don't think you'll find ram in your price range that will run 960mhz with decent timings. Maybe 5-5-5-15 but your better off at 4-4-3-8 at 767. If you can push your FSB to 400 then the 533 setting puts the ram at 800. that's just my motherboard though.
 
bruins004 said:
Hmm nice set.
How well do they OC?

Hmm ok I have set my decision down to a few now.
Here they are:

Mushkin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146673 4-5-4-11

G Skill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231114 4-4-3-5

SuperTalent
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026 4-4-3-8
Click to expand...

Here: review for the gskill should get 1000mhz easy with 4-4-3-5 after that ull have to losen off ...you will need 2,2v on them
http://sg.vr-zone.com/?i=4473&s=1
 
Last edited:
They got some nice reviews and OC pretty damn well.
Well there is no question, I have to get this set of RAM.

Now I just need to get a new mobo to go along with them :)
Hmm any suggestions?
I was think about the P5N-E SLI, but maybe another board would be better.
 
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