uOpt
09-08-2005, 10:55 AM
I want to buy a pair of memory modules explicitly for overclocking. I usually use ECC RAM to do actual work but I want a kit that allows me to first see what a mainboard/CPU combo can do. Plus it will be fun, right? :)
I figured 2x256MB would be best. It's enough for non-GUI Linux and FreeBSD, and I want single-sided sticks.
Since this needs to run well in several mainboards I want something that goes well on low voltage, in particular on Via K8 boards. I figure TCCD is the only option for this.
I am willing (but not entirely happy) to spend $80-$100 on 2x256.
So here is what I consider:
$50 I found some refurb PQI PQI3200-512DPU at that price yesterday
(but today it disappeared)
$81 +s/h for Corsair DIMM-TWINX512-3200XLpad at directron
http://www.directron.com/twinx5123200xl.html
$80 Patriot PDC5123200+XBLK at newegg or zipzoomfly
$110 Geil One hand-picked TCCD DDR400 at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144339
$152 G.Skill hand-picked DDR600 at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231007
Any other suggestions? I would even be willing to pick up some set which is only probable to be TCCD and report back.
My thoughts, please comment:
The Geil one is named PC3200 but it gives timings for DDR400 and DDR600. I think it is very likely that it is equivalent to the G.Skill, same chance to overclock well. Do you agree?
Even if I find the refurb PQI again, I am not enthusiastic about refurb overclocking equipment. I would assume it has been returned as a bad performer.
Any experience with Directron? The Corsair is a pretty medium-priced big brand item, it looks tempting.
Overall I lean toward the Geil One. While $110 for 512 MB is a joke, it's just $30 extra and will certainly get the evaluation job done.
More questions:
how big is the performance disadvantage of going to double-sided 512MB
sticks? Are there single-sided 512 MB TCCD sticks you could buy now?
is any of the other RAM chipsets capable of doing well with stock
voltage? What about the Micron 5B chips?
Used offers for 2x256 TCCD seem to be rare, it seems I need to buy new.
I figured 2x256MB would be best. It's enough for non-GUI Linux and FreeBSD, and I want single-sided sticks.
Since this needs to run well in several mainboards I want something that goes well on low voltage, in particular on Via K8 boards. I figure TCCD is the only option for this.
I am willing (but not entirely happy) to spend $80-$100 on 2x256.
So here is what I consider:
$50 I found some refurb PQI PQI3200-512DPU at that price yesterday
(but today it disappeared)
$81 +s/h for Corsair DIMM-TWINX512-3200XLpad at directron
http://www.directron.com/twinx5123200xl.html
$80 Patriot PDC5123200+XBLK at newegg or zipzoomfly
$110 Geil One hand-picked TCCD DDR400 at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144339
$152 G.Skill hand-picked DDR600 at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231007
Any other suggestions? I would even be willing to pick up some set which is only probable to be TCCD and report back.
My thoughts, please comment:
The Geil one is named PC3200 but it gives timings for DDR400 and DDR600. I think it is very likely that it is equivalent to the G.Skill, same chance to overclock well. Do you agree?
Even if I find the refurb PQI again, I am not enthusiastic about refurb overclocking equipment. I would assume it has been returned as a bad performer.
Any experience with Directron? The Corsair is a pretty medium-priced big brand item, it looks tempting.
Overall I lean toward the Geil One. While $110 for 512 MB is a joke, it's just $30 extra and will certainly get the evaluation job done.
More questions:
how big is the performance disadvantage of going to double-sided 512MB
sticks? Are there single-sided 512 MB TCCD sticks you could buy now?
is any of the other RAM chipsets capable of doing well with stock
voltage? What about the Micron 5B chips?
Used offers for 2x256 TCCD seem to be rare, it seems I need to buy new.