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View Full Version : Need RAM advice in a bad way. $120 range


concretefire
10-12-2008, 08:07 PM
Here's the run down of what I am doing, what I want to do, and what I plan to do for the future:

Buidling a new system. P45 chipset. Narrowed down to 2 boards. Asus P5Q Deluxe or Biostar Tpower I45.
^ This much I am sure of ^

Going with a Quad Core 6600 cause I plan do a lot of rendering and animations and decompress GIGS of .rar files daily.
^ This much I am sure of ^

I thought this was going to be easy. It' ain't. :shrug:
I've spent a month researching just the motherboards.
(still open to persuasion of asus vs biostar btw)

I feel a bit out of place here at xtremesystems because I don't plan to do anything "Extreme" with my system. I came here because I KNOW you guys KNOW what the heck you are talking about.

I DO WANT to overclock the 6600. However, I have no desire to ever run benchmarks, just for the sake of posting a screenshot showing I beat some elses system. I understand (and admire) there are those who build their systems for this reason alone. To each his own. Just doesn't interest me. I'll be using this system 24/7.

I'm not a squeemish overclocker, I've had a water setup before....just getting too old for that stuff now. I want to be able to overclock somewhere past 3ghz on the quad, but If I don't make to 3.6ghz (a number I keep seeing) then so be it.

Future: 2 yrs from now, I'd like to pop in another quad that is faster, and have the ram to at least RUN the system.
(maybe I won't be able to push it at that point...but if I get the right ram NOW, I might have the option to still push it a little, even if it is an antique at that point)

Will be going to Vista 64 bit or XP 64 bit . Soon. Like in a month. My gut tells me I am going to NEED 8gb of ram, which automaticaly handicaps me on higher overclocks. That means I either need 4 x 2's, or 2 x 4's . From what I have read, either way I will most likely not be able get the very last performance gain from an OC standpoint.

So here's $100-120........YOU pick my ram. (4 gigs now is ok, but in a year, I probably will pick up another 4gigs of the same brand/model)

Dee
10-12-2008, 08:41 PM
In the future you'll probably want DDR3 because it will be much, much cheaper. If you're still running DDR2 RAM you'll be way behind everyone else. For this reason I'd at least look at DDR3 motherboards.

neo mike
10-12-2008, 08:58 PM
I have to agree i would definitly build a system that takes ddr3, ddr2 was good, but its time is up, and the future of ddr3 looks pretty awesome. I made the mistake of just building a ddr2 system and im sorry i did, im going to sell my motherboard and get a ddr3 board. I would say go ddr3 and get something like ddr3 1600mgz its pretty fast and not that exspensive, and you leave yourself open to the whole future of ddr3, and are not building a system that is behind the times.

concretefire
10-12-2008, 09:13 PM
I don't disagree with what you are saying. I just have some questions.

Since I'm going with a q6600, I have read that DDR3 won't help me with that chip. I read the ddr3 will really make a big scene with the new i7 chips.

Now if your argument goes back to what I said about replacing the q6600 in a year or 2 .......then I would understand the need for ddr 3 now.

Is what I read about ddr3 true for the 65nm / 45nm chips?
If yes.....then why? Why go for ddr 3 now?

Just curious about the truth is all. And please understand, as long as my system RUNS everything I want it to run...I don't mind being 2 yrs behind everyone else's new hardware. That's right where I like to be. The prices are cheap. The knowledge is already out there. (tweaks, etc) I don't like to be right on the cutting edge.

* this is not meant to be argumentative in any way * I simply seek guidance. And WHY? Thanks guys.

zsamz_
10-12-2008, 10:49 PM
i agree on ddr3 for nahaleem
i wouldnt touch ddr3 unless it was for nahaleem
but no big gains unless you benching for 775 chipset
just get a good set with powerchips
i'm sure you can find a sale i seen mushkin ascent as low as 90$ after rebate for 4 gig set
even saw firestix pc2-8500 2x2 for 67$ but i dont know what are the chips used

Oj101
10-12-2008, 11:52 PM
DDR3 absolutely thrashes AM3 :D

I would only recommend DDR3 now for one reason: You won't have to replace the RAM you buy now when you upgrade.

zanzabar
10-13-2008, 01:15 AM
DDR3 is $250-400, and the stuff in the $120-200 range is worthless

i would go
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146789

neo mike
10-13-2008, 01:28 AM
If you not into the latest thing, then your probally fine with some good ddr-2, and p45 chipset. I see guys here using your processor with ddr-3 boards, getting alot more bandwidth than you will ever get with ddr-2, probally not that noticable overall but. I just think ddr3 is a better bet,as far as exspandability down the road, it is really high priced cause its new, but there are some reasonable kits out there. Given your needs you have described you would probally be happy either way. I just like to think down the road abit.

If you get a ddr3 board ,and memory, now you can just get some decent speed ddr3, and be happy for a long time, but if you ever want to upgrade it will always be there, ddr3 is going to be around for a good long time, where ddr2 has reached its limits. I think your processor is fine for a years to come. Dont you hate desisions like this :shrug:, i dont think you can make a wrong choice, just do what you think is best for you, cause you will get mixed bag from people, good luck.

Ch@pS
10-13-2008, 01:47 AM
Go for the Asus, you have no need of the biostars high FSB.

as for ram, i'd suggest :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146692

Get two sets of these, you dont need insane performance or overclockability, and they just just make it into your budget.

This way you have 8GB of ram, can set the FSB to 400 and the multi at 9, giving you a nice 3.6GHZ overclock.

nefariouscaine
10-13-2008, 04:47 PM
Go for the Asus, you have no need of the biostars high FSB.

as for ram, i'd suggest :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146692

Get two sets of these, you dont need insane performance or overclockability, and they just just make it into your budget.

This way you have 8GB of ram, can set the FSB to 400 and the multi at 9, giving you a nice 3.6GHZ overclock.

this is likely the "best" budget option - its cheap - 400mhz - its cheap - its 2 gig sticks - and 8gb for under 150 isn't too bad

since you're going x64 i'd say go for it :D