Need DDR2 RAM recommendation Options

[scott967]

I want to upgrade from my current Corsair 2x1 RAM to a 2x2. I am running a Q6600 on a P35 abit board, bus at 355 MHz and RAM set to 5:6 so my RAM is at 426MHz. I am running Corsair CMS2 DDR2-800 @ 5/5/5/18-2T and 2.08v, so a slight OC.

I see plenty of DDR2-800 2x2 kits, some at same settings, a couple like Patriot Viper advertise 4/4/4/12. Or should I go to a DDR2-1066 and use a different DRAM speed ratio (2:3 I think is available to me)?

So any advice on best route to take for this upgrade?

scott s.
.

[McCrash]

I want to upgrade from my current Corsair 2x1 RAM to a 2x2. I am running a Q6600 on a P35 abit board, bus at 355 MHz and RAM set to 5:6 so my RAM is at 426MHz. I am running Corsair CMS2 DDR2-800 @ 5/5/5/18-2T and 2.08v, so a slight OC.

I see plenty of DDR2-800 2x2 kits, some at same settings, a couple like Patriot Viper advertise 4/4/4/12. Or should I go to a DDR2-1066 and use a different DRAM speed ratio (2:3 I think is available to me)?

So any advice on best route to take for this upgrade?

scott s.
.

If interested, I have 2 GB of Corsair XMS2 'CM2X1024-6400C4', timings 4-4-4-12, v1.2, 800 mhz.

[TechguyMaxC]

It's hard to clock DDR2 to the ragged edge when dealing with sticks larger than 1GB and faster than 800MHz. I know because I've overclocked numerous socket 775 C2D/C2Q systems, several of which I own, and more often than not the RAM speed ends up limited to < 1GHz anyway. Unless of course you can find the 1.2GHz or faster RAM, in which case you can often run a proper memory ratio that results in a realistic RAM speed for DDR2. However, this is getting to be quite expensive and can be hard to locate as well. Looks somewhat silly compared to its DDR3 counterparts which are significantly faster and often even larger as well for similar money.

[kaydub]

It's hard to clock DDR2 to the ragged edge when dealing with sticks larger than 1GB and faster than 800MHz. I know because I've overclocked numerous socket 775 C2D/C2Q systems, several of which I own, and more often than not the RAM speed ends up limited to < 1GHz anyway. Unless of course you can find the 1.2GHz or faster RAM, in which case you can often run a proper memory ratio that results in a realistic RAM speed for DDR2. However, this is getting to be quite expensive and can be hard to locate as well. Looks somewhat silly compared to its DDR3 counterparts which are significantly faster and often even larger as well for similar money.

Well, I have an MSI P35 Platinum 1.1, so a pretty old P35 board. I run an FSB of 450 mHz with a 4:5 divider on Patriot Viper II at 2.1 volts (per spec) for 1125 mHz with 5-5-5-15. Paid $68 at Fry's. Can't say what will happen with your board, but I'm OCCT stable and 9550 write clock on Everest.

[scott967]

Thanks for the advices. I will have to dig up Nick_N's memory vs CPU speed chart, though I guess there isn't 100% agreement with his conclusions (is there ever total agreement on tech stuff? )

scott s.
.

[TechguyMaxC]

Well, I have an MSI P35 Platinum 1.1, so a pretty old P35 board. I run an FSB of 450 mHz with a 4:5 divider on Patriot Viper II at 2.1 volts (per spec) for 1125 mHz with 5-5-5-15. Paid $68 at Fry's. Can't say what will happen with your board, but I'm OCCT stable and 9550 write clock on Everest.

How much RAM are you running? A client of mine that runs FS9/FSX w/lots of addons once used 2GB (2x1) of Patriot Viper II rated @ 1200MHz and his system wouldn't clock the RAM that high when also overclocking the CPU and FSB. We recently swapped that out for a cheap OCZ Gold 4GB 1066 kit. Runs like a champ and at rated speeds even. No serious o/c on that system though. Just a 10% bump to 3.33GHz. Call it a free upgrade to an E8600 :)

[kaydub]

How much RAM are you running? A client of mine that runs FS9/FSX w/lots of addons once used 2GB (2x1) of Patriot Viper II rated @ 1200MHz and his system wouldn't clock the RAM that high when also overclocking the CPU and FSB. We recently swapped that out for a cheap OCZ Gold 4GB 1066 kit. Runs like a champ and at rated speeds even. No serious o/c on that system though. Just a 10% bump to 3.33GHz. Call it a free upgrade to an E8600 :)

4 GIGS (2X2GB)

[TechguyMaxC]

Nice mem clock on DDR2. Highest I've ever had out of my 1GHz g.skill is in the 1080 neighborhood.