New rig, DDR2 vs. DDR3

[Torin]

Alright, so I've read up, and from what I can tell there is no real performance increase in using DDR3 @ 6-6-6-X over DDR2 @ 4-4-4-X or 5-5-5-X, they are about the same.

I know I'll be using a Q9450 regardless of which setup I go, but the DDR3 setup is across the board about $210 or more expensive than a comparable DDR2 setup. Is there anything I'm missing about not going DDR3, other than the ability to upgrade RAM down the road to something faster?

For the DDR3 setup I like the DFI LP UT X48-T3R board, and for the DDR2 setup I like the ASUS Maximus II Formula and the DFI LP LT X48-T2R.

What is the big difference between the X38/X48/P35 chipsets?

[snipper_cr]

From what I've been told and read, everyone seems to be going with DDR2 because its hella cheaper and there is generally no real performance increase of DDR3 over DDR2. Also, alot of motherboards support DDR3 are more expensive. I was looking at the DFI T3R but went with the T2R to save money and stick with DDR2.

As for Chipsets, I've also read that the X38/X48 are good mainly if you want to use cross fire. They allow 2 cards to run at full PCIe 16x. If you go with a p35/p45 one card will run at 16x, but if you try putting a second one, I think both revert to 8x (or one on 16x and one on 8x). HOWEVER... even with the 4870s people are saying the cards will run just fine at 8x since its through put is fast enough.

Hope this help (and is right, if anyone wants to correct)

[Bradan]

ya crossfire is really the only reason to go x38/x48

p35 does full 16x pcie 1.1 + southbridge 4x pcie 1.1 (extreme bad)

p45 does northbridge 8x pcie 2.0 (=16x 1.1) X 2

its not even worth crossfire 4850's on a p45, due to lack of bandwidth.
you lose allot of your gains with crossfire this way.


does x38 have gen 2 pcie?

[Flip_Lx]

x38 and x48 are pcie 2.0 full 16x/16x performance

[Torin]

Well, I am using a 9800 GX2 which is 16x pcie 2.0, does that mean I should get an x38 or x48?

[AriciU]

No. Your will be fine with a P35/P45.

[Torin]

Even though the P35 is only PCIE 1.1?

Right now I'm pretty much debating between the ASUS Maximus II Formula (P45) and DFI LP LT X38-T2R. The DFI is $30 cheaper, but the SB heatsink looks weak. That may not matter, but I'm trying to decide between the two.

I'll be using 4GB (2GBx2) PC1066 OCZ Reaper HPC (not set in stone), Q9450, 9800GX2 and PCP&P 750W, if that helps figure out which is a better mobo choice.

[Nasgul]

Go with the P45 ASUS Maximus II Formula, that's my next motherboard also. I'm also going to get the Q9450.

DDR3 looks good but I think it needs to be ripe for my taste, looks good, don't get me wrong, I'd buy it but the motherboard that I'm definitely going to get does not take DDR3 and besides, my RAM is still bad ass.

[xMrBunglex]

you can get a 2 GB kit of DDR3 1333 for $100 on Newegg now. it isn't that expensive anymore. DDR 1800 isn't worth the money, but something like DDR 1333 is a nice way to make sure your memory will never limit your overclock. it isn't necessary though. it's only good if you plan on running a very high FSB and don't want to buy a hot and expensive set of high performance DDR2.