[Update 25/11] 2GB of DDR2 for overclocking what to buy

[Godmyster]

Ok then, whats the best memory kits in the market at the moment?

like top 5kits

[shimmishim]

Definitely Cellshocks pc2-8000 (4-4-4). Team pc2-9600. OCZ Flex XLC pc2-9200.

Crucial ballistix pc8000/8500/10thanniversary
G.Skill pc8000HZ, 8500HZ
Corsair - don't know which ones since i'm not too familiar with these

and a slew of other kits as well.

[RealTelstar]

Corsair - don't know which ones since i'm not too familiar with these

Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF
There is more, but these are the best for OC and for low timings.

[Godmyster]

what do u guys think of the Gskill 2x1GB ddr2 800 HZ with micron D9 chips?

[shimmishim]

6400HZ's should be good as well but they won't be the highest binned since g.skill has the 8000HZ's and now the 8500HZ's. the 8000 and 8500 will get the highest binned of their D9 stock.

[Roger_D25]

This is a tough question, there are so many decent kits out right now for great prices that it's difficult to nail down the top 5 kits! From my own experience (which is quite limited) I think one of the best kits out right now, especially because of price are Crucials Ballistix PC2-8000-PC2-8500 kits. Infact I'm in the process of trying to sell my Cellshocks to pick up the new PC2-8500 Ballistix!

As far as binning goes I'm pretty sure that Corsairs PC2-8888 kit is right up there. From what I have read their binning process (especialy on the Dominator series) is very involved! I don't know much about Cellshocks (MSC) binning process but their memory seems very consistant overall.

I also think the GSKIll F2-8000PHU2 and F2-8500PHU2 are very decent kits, highly binned to get chips capable of running at 1066Mhz @ 4-4-4-5! Last but not least I think (from people I've talked to and from reading) that TEAM puts in alot of effort binning their modules, at least their higher tier modules.

Warning: I'm not an expert, the above is just my opinion!

[Godmyster]

6400HZ's should be good as well but they won't be the highest binned since g.skill has the 8000HZ's and now the 8500HZ's. the 8000 and 8500 will get the highest binned of their D9 stock.

But the CL on the 8000 and 8500 is higher you still think they would be better?

Thanks

[Roger_D25]

Godmyster,
I realized you asked shimmishim but both the GSkill PC2-8000HZ's and the PC2-8500HZ's have tighter timings than the PC2-6400HZ's do even though all three kits have the same CL value (CAS4). The PC2-6400 are rated for 4-4-4-12 and the other two kits are rated for 4-4-4-5.

[Godmyster]

Humm your right i just checked my list, so i can do more OC with the 8000HZ?

Thanks

[Roger_D25]

Well that is a bit tougher to answer because all of these modules perform differently once you get beyond their rated speeds! There are many kits of the PC2-6400HZ clocking extremely well, especialy since their so cheap. The PC2-8000/PC2-8500 although rated at higher speeds with tighter timings doesn't mean they will clock higher than the PC2-6400's but there is a good chance they will since their binned higher from GSkill. Look at Crucial's Anniversary modules, their only rated for PC2-5300 but they routnely clock above 1200Mhz!

I might suggest getting the PC2-6400 modules over the PC2-8000/PC2-8500 because their cheaper and may overclock just as well? In either case you would probably be more than happy!

[shimmishim]

Humm your right i just checked my list, so i can do more OC with the 8000HZ?

Thanks

How much more of an o/c do you want on your mem? lol. 8000 is already ddr2-1000.

are you trying to set a WR, are you using a 7x chip?

for most people the ddr2-1000 should be more than enough.

like i said before, i got some crucial ballistix 8000's that i can run 5-3-3 @ 600mhz 32M with something like 2.3 to 2.35 volts.

for 24/7 use, i run them at stock ddr2-1000 with 4-4-4 timings with 2.13-2.15 volts.

[Godmyster]

Wr? humm maybe hehe, im just asking because i get amauzinge prices on all kits, probobly going for the 6400 then, little cheaper and i think ill be happy with them for sure, thanks for the help guys i apreciate it

[shimmishim]

Wr? humm maybe hehe, im just asking because i get amauzinge prices on all kits, probobly going for the 6400 then, little cheaper and i think ill be happy with them for sure, thanks for the help guys i apreciate it

you won't be disappointed by the 6400HZ's. good choice.

[RealTelstar]

I think one of the best kits out right now, especially because of price are Crucials Ballistix PC2-8000-PC2-8500 kits. Infact I'm in the process of trying to sell my Cellshocks to pick up the new PC2-8500 Ballistix!

Do you know the details of the 8500 and how they compare to the 8000? I know the latter are great clockers. the 8500 should mount the same micron D9, maybe with a higher binning...

[Hutch]

[TeRm]

Hutch what is that, 8500? GMH I presume? I cant tell from the pic.

[Hutch]

8500's module. I've been looking for reviews and came across a decent one finally. It's amazing how novice 95% of review sites are. Really pisses me off that they let idiots get free review samples! Just read a review on PC Freaks and geeks (aka PC Dipsh1ts and Dipsticks!) that refused to overclock them because they 'don't believe in overclocking!' THEY WERE COMPLAINING THAT THERE WAS NO VOLTAGE LABEL ON THE STICKS! OH MY GOD THEY ARE MADE FOR ENTHUSIASTS NOT CHUMPS!

[Hutch]

Kemo, is this site yours? It's identical to your list, and if not yours it's clearly stolen.

http://bamhardware.com/?q=node/1

bamshardware.com = gator242.hostgator.com [74.53.88.2]

[Hutch]

the Ballistix PC8500 are only $204.99 on mwave and there's no rebate...

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...=done&nextloc=

Only halfway decent review I've seen (reviewer wasn't a complete bonehead)

http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rid=137034

[zbomb5610]

the Ballistix PC8500 are only $204.99 on mwave and there's no rebate...

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...=done&nextloc=

Only halfway decent review I've seen (reviewer wasn't a complete bonehead)

http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rid=137034

the pc 8500 ballistix are actually $199 unless you meant to link to the tracer model.

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....0&RSKU=BA23790

[TeRm]

Kemo, is this site yours? It's identical to your list, and if not yours it's clearly stolen.

http://bamhardware.com/?q=node/1

bamshardware.com = gator242.hostgator.com [74.53.88.2]

Haha thats mine actually, its a work in progress... Kemo gave me permission to use the list. Where did you find a link to my site?
kemo might not be back for a wile, exams or something i think.

[Orange Power]

Who knows any good shops in Europe or American shops that sell to foreigners? (What is PGN where Realtelstar bought his stuff?)

I'm searching day and night for some DDR2 for my new system that I'd like to buy asap (with either a Gigabyte DS4 or Asus P5B DLX MB), but prizes in the Netherlands are so extremely high compared to those American shops. And they refuse to sell to foreigners.

I have about 150 euro to spend on some decent memory (or between 125 and 200). Which means any PC8... is far out of reach. The Ballistix offers (my dream) at either Mwave or Newegg would be exactly right . But unfortunately, I don't live in the US and I don't know anyone living there who could order it for me.

So I'm now looking at PC6400 CL4. But even that is a problem, because I'd prefer to have some D9's. And I have the strong impression that many of the brands that have sticks with prices dropped under 200 euro are switching to alternatives like Elpida or Promos.

When I look in Germany, Adata Vitesta extreme PC6400 would be an option. But according to R00N's list they contain either Micron or Promos. Maybe I could find some Mushkin HP or G.Skill HZ. (They would cost somewhere 175-185 euro) But if it would be true that even they might be switching to other IC's for most of the cheaper PC6400...

So my last option is to go the savest way, the Ballistix PC5300. They are better than the PC6400 version and at least I would have some real D9. And they cost the same for 182 euro. Or in that case I could go for the PC5300 Tracers. (189 euro) Because Micron would never decrease the level of their own Ballistix, or....?

Why is it so difficult to sell sticks for those prizes over here in Europe? $200-250 for the best sticks, just amazing. We just need a Newegg or Mwave operating here. Or at least accepting foreign orders. It really hurts my eyes and makes me sad that in the US they sell the best of the best almost cheaper than the older PC5300 or PC6400 here. And then those rebates...

[shimmishim]

Who knows any good shops in Europe or American shops that sell to foreigners? (What is PGN where Realtelstar bought his stuff?)

I'm searching day and night for some DDR2 for my new system that I'd like to buy asap (with either a Gigabyte DS4 or Asus P5B DLX MB), but prizes in the Netherlands are so extremely high compared to those American shops. And they refuse to sell to foreigners.

I have about 150 euro to spend on some decent memory (or between 125 and 200). Which means any PC8... is far out of reach. The Ballistix offers (my dream) at either Mwave or Newegg would be exactly right . But unfortunately, I don't live in the US and I don't know anyone living there who could order it for me.

So I'm now looking at PC6400 CL4. But even that is a problem, because I'd prefer to have some D9's. And I have the strong impression that many of the brands that have sticks with prices dropped under 200 euro are switching to alternatives like Elpida or Promos.

When I look in Germany, Adata Vitesta extreme PC6400 would be an option. But according to R00N's list they contain either Micron or Promos. Maybe I could find some Mushkin HP or G.Skill HZ. (They would cost somewhere 175-185 euro) But if it would be true that even they might be switching to other IC's for most of the cheaper PC6400...

So my last option is to go the savest way, the Ballistix PC5300. They are better than the PC6400 version and at least I would have some real D9. And they cost the same for 182 euro. Or in that case I could go for the PC5300 Tracers. (189 euro) Because Micron would never decrease the level of their own Ballistix, or....?

Why is it so difficult to sell sticks for those prizes over here in Europe? $200-250 for the best sticks, just amazing. We just need a Newegg or Mwave operating here. Or at least accepting foreign orders. It really hurts my eyes and makes me sad that in the US they sell the best of the best almost cheaper than the older PC5300 or PC6400 here. And then those rebates...

have any friends in america? just have them buy you a kit and ship it over. i've traded with someone over in europe and it was done w/o a problem at all. find a friend. there are a lot of people in america.

[Roger_D25]

I've had a couple different pairs of Ballistix before and I had a question about the little number in the lower right-hand side of the actual IC? On my first 2GB kit of PC2-8000 Ballistix the number was "-2F" and it was the same on my second kit. Well does anyone know what the little number is or what it means? Obviously it's put there by Crucial (at least I think it is). I'm assuming it's got something to do with their in-house binning process? Thanks for any insight you guys might have!

[Rone]

I've had a couple different pairs of Ballistix before and I had a question about the little number in the lower right-hand side of the actual IC? On my first 2GB kit of PC2-8000 Ballistix the number was "-2F" and it was the same on my second kit. Well does anyone know what the little number is or what it means? Obviously it's put there by Crucial (at least I think it is). I'm assuming it's got something to do with their in-house binning process? Thanks for any insight you guys might have!

Yes, it is. Crucial takes their own Micron ICs and bins them differently.
Whereas for instance normal D9GMH is 3 ns memory they use the following:

-2F indicates 2ns memory, equal to 500MHz (1000 ÷ 2) » PC2-8000.
-25F indicates 2.5ns memory, equal to 400MHz (1000 ÷ 2.5) » PC2-6400.

Generally, you will only find this type of marking on relabeled Ballistix ICs.