Core 2 Duo/DDR2 Memory Guide, Read Me First.

[The-Noid]

What I am going to do here is post what kinds of memory should be purcahsed to allow for maximum overclock potentional on your new Core 2 Duo. The majority of these modules contain D9GHM or D9GKX. It also lists what kind of memory you should pick to avoid fsb/memory walls should you choose to go higher. All are sets of 2x 1GB memory modules. Budget <$200, Midrange $200-$300, High-End $300-$400, Splurge $400+. As always I have tested all these modules, and will pick the ones I think are the best.

Another point to make is that all of these rams will be under warranty at the given speed as I have listed max voltage next to each stick. Obviously it is possible to overvolt your ram to obvlivion and get better clocks, but keeping these high priced sticks under warranty is also important. *'d Chips are my personal favorites.

All of the sets listed above budget imploy ram modules that will allow in most cases 20% overclock by lowering timings. Some modules will allow even more.

Overclocks imply a 1:1 ratio for best ram performance. Obviously with 680i and RD600 ram is asynchronous so you can set whatever speed you would like on all these rams. In that case I would buy any D9GKX chips and volt/clock the hell out of them .


E6300: Needed FSB 400 (2.8 ghz), Ramspeed (PC-6400)
Possible FSB 500 (3.5 ghz), Ramspeed (PC2-8000)

Budget: Geil ULTRA PC2-6400 (4-4-4-12) (Elpida) (2.1v) ($219.99)

Midrange: Team xTreem PC2-6400 (4-4-4-10) (D9GMH) (2.2v)*($287.38) ($275.00)
Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH) (2.2v) ($309.99)

High-End:Teamgroup TXDD2048M1000HC5DC PC2-8000 (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH) (2.4v)* ($344.85)
G.SKILL F2-8000PHU2-2GBZX PC2-8000 (5-5-5-15) (D9GKX) (2.2v) ($359.99)

Splurge:Super Talent T1000UX2G4 PC2-8000 (4-5-4-15) (D9GKX) (2.2v) ($419.99)
OCZ Titanium Alpha VX2 OCZ2TA1000VX22GK (4-4-4-15) (D9GMH) (2.35v)* ($430.99)
mushkin REDLINE 996525 PC2-8000 (4-5-4-11) (D9GMH) ($469.99)

E6400: Needed FSB 333 (2.66 ghz), Ramspeed PC2-5300
Possible FSB 450 (3.60 ghz), Ramspeed PC2-8000


Budget: Geil ULTRA PC2-6400 (4-4-4-12) (Elpida) (2.1v) ($219.99)

Midrange: Team xTreem PC2-6400 (4-4-4-10) (D9GMH) (2.2v)*($287.38) ($275.00)
Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH) (2.2v) ($309.99)

High-End:Teamgroup TXDD2048M1000HC5DC PC2-8000 (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH) (2.4v)* ($344.85)
G.SKILL F2-8000PHU2-2GBZX PC2-8000 (5-5-5-15) (D9GKX) (2.2v) ($359.99)

Splurge:Super Talent T1000UX2G4 PC2-8000 (4-5-4-15) (D9GKX) (2.2v) ($419.99)
OCZ Titanium Alpha VX2 OCZ2TA1000VX22GK (4-4-4-15) (D9GMH) (2.4v)* ($430.99)
mushkin REDLINE 996525 PC2-8000 (4-5-4-11) (D9GMH) ($469.99)

E6600: Needed FSB 333 (3.0 ghz), Needed Ramspeed (PC2-5300)
Possible FSB 400 (3.6 ghz), Possible Ramspeed (PC2-6400)
*note running a 4:5 ratio will allow for higher ram speeds and more bandwidth. Please purchase PC2-8000 or higher to accomplish this.


Budget: Geil ULTRA PC2-6400 (4-4-4-12) (Elpida) (2.1v) ($219.99)

Midrange: Team xTreem PC2-6400 (4-4-4-10) (D9GMH) (2.2v)*($287.38) ($275.00)
Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH) (2.2v) ($309.99)

High-End:Teamgroup TXDD2048M1000HC5DC PC2-8000 (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH) (2.4v)* ($344.85)
G.SKILL F2-8000PHU2-2GBZX PC2-8000 (5-5-5-15) (D9GKX) (2.2v) ($359.99)

Splurge:Super Talent T1000UX2G4 PC2-8000 (4-5-4-15) (D9GKX) (2.2v) ($419.99)
OCZ Titanium Alpha VX2 OCZ2TA1000VX22GK (4-4-4-15) (D9GMH) (2.4v)* ($430.99)
mushkin REDLINE 996525 PC2-8000 (4-5-4-11) (D9GMH) ($469.99)

E6700, QX6700, X6800. These chips are not limited by ram speeds until you reach the upper echelon, of what the processor will run. Please purchase any PC2-5300 sticks or higher for best performance.

you also will not be in msot cases running a fsb higher than 360-370. This still allows you to use a divider for higher memory performance that isn't 1:1. Here are some good ssticks for Extreme Memory Speeds.

CORSAIR XMS2 TWIN2X2048-8500C5 - DDR2-8500. (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH)($364.00)
Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2K2/2G DDR2-8500 (5-5-5-15) (D9GMH/D9GKX)($469.99)


Deals of the Week:

Cheers


Deals of the Week:
None Micron D9 hit another record high!

Proven D9GMH/D9GKX that I have not tested, but others claim clock well.

Buffalo Firestix 2x1 GB DDR2-800 5-5-5 FSX800D2C-K2G ($241.99) <--- D9GMH
Crucial Ballistix 2x1 GB DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 BL2KIT12864AA804 ($279.99) <---D9GMH

 

[dantonic]

thanks that's a nice guide...
How good did the elpida chips $199 overclock?

 

[nyker96]

Yoxx, thanks for this excellent guide I understand in the last few weeks tons redundant posting on C2D RAM question lead to this, it's about time! I've also been waiting for a nice D9 chip guide. Great job!

 

[The-Noid]

the elpida chips will go to about DDR2-820. 4-4-4-12. Lowering timings do not help at all.

 

[Rike]

Anyone have any experience with or comment on this Crucial Technology Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)? It's on sale over at the Egg, and I've been trying to decide if it's worth going for. It would go into a watercooled C2D system w/ the goal of major OCing.

 

[The-Noid]

IT is a good set of ram. It is Micron D9GMH from the actual manufacturer. Sadly it seems like Micron has been giving their best IC's to other manufacturers lately and not keeping them for themselves.

 

[Duvie]

My elipida chips are doing 860 now at cas 4-4-4-12 with 2.3v...The have ran 933 at cas 5-5-5-15 with my E6600 using a 7x466 setup...that is on a DS3

one knock is they will not boot the DS3 even with current Bioses if for some reason I have to clear the cmos....Funny thing is my higher rated PC2-8000 gskills w/ a higher default vdimm will....


This thing needs stickied....Everyone pM a mod and get this stickified...this may actually save us from the seeing the same question posted countless times a day...

Thanks Yoxxy...nice job!!!

 

[The-Noid]

I only tested those G.Skills on a DS3, so that may explain the problem. Out of 8 sticks I had 5 worked at rated speeds. Didn't matter what voltage they ran, they never would work stabely. Guess I should have put them in another board.

 

[FireChicken]

Second for a stickie!!!!!

On the 680i and Rd600 boards, how will running them at ayncrononous speed affect performance?

 

[The-Noid]

The higher the memory runs the more bandwidth = the better performance.

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
IT is a good set of ram. It is Micron D9GMH from the actual manufacturer. Sadly it seems like Micron has been giving their best IC's to other manufacturers lately and not keeping them for themselves.

Thanks for the reply.

As long as Yoxxy is willing to keep it updated from time to time, a sticky would be great. How 'bout Yoxxy, you up for it?

 

[The-Noid]

I have no problem keeping it updated, as there isn't going to be ram coming out that often. As for prices once a week is probably good enough. Hopefully soon the supply will catch up the the demand as right now ram is way overpriced. $16 per IC for D9GKX, $12 for D9GMH, and $8 for D9GCT seems just a little bit out of whack. The market seems to be tolerant of it though as it is still selling like hot cakes.

 

[imported_Husky55]

Stickie!!!

 

[imported_Brando]

I just got the Intel Retail Edge bundle (E6300) and was wondering if this ram here would work with the mobo since it only works on 1.8v.

Mobo
http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/dg965wh/index.htm

Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820178133

 

[The-Noid]

It would work, but do not expect a great deal of overclocking headroom. The mobo you picked does not allow for overclocking so it should not be much of a problem though.

 

[Hyperlite]

definitely needs a sticky...Yoxxy, for a very budget E6300 rig, could you suggest a 1gb module? say, something <$110? i can only find that Gskill 6400CL4D in the 2gb kit. This will be going in an S3

 

[Roguestar]

Is there any real difference between D9GHM and D9GKX?

 

[The-Noid]

D9GHM = 667 CAS 5 rated from Micron. D9GKX = 800 mhz CAS 5 rated from Micron. The dies are exactly the same they are just binned before they are even purchased.

 

[The-Noid]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231088

There is that ram it is 124 though.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Yoxxy, thank you very much for your assistance and this great guide. I know how much personal time you put into this and I hope the other members here appreciate it too.

Please let us know what version(s) of Dominator you are testing in the future and what results you get.

 

[Mr Fox]

Wintec Industries
WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Confirmed D-9 based by Micron/Crucial Rep. and call to Wintec Sales Office.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820161063

 

[n7]

 

[n7]

Yoxxy, great guide indeed

I'd like to propose you could add a section at the bottom for listing other proven D9GMH/GKX kits that you haven't personally tested, since there are a number.
Actually all the ones i'd currently recommend are amongst kits you haven't mentioned.

Buffalo Firestix 2x1 GB DDR2-800 5-5-5 FSX800D2C-K2G - $241
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054

Crucial Ballistix 2x1 GB DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 BL2KIT12864AA804 - $279.99 - $40 MIR
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80061-9

Crucial Ballistix 2x1 Gb 5-5-5-15 BL2KIT12864AL1005 - $300.99 - $35 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148047

Crucial Ballistix 2x1 Gb 5-5-5-15 BL2KIT12864AA1005 - $309.99 - $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146563

Also, are you sure the current Corsair Twin2x2048-6400C4 is acutally D9GMH?
I'd like to think it is, but i highly doubt it based on the fact Corsair won't even use D9s in their Dominator series for more.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Here is our current IC Inquiry Thread

ALL Dominator from PC8500 and up is Micron based.

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: Yellowbeard

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
Also on a side not do not purchase the Corsair Dominator 6400C4F. The scam units were sent out with D9GMH memory modules to reviewers. Now there is a Version 2.0 and 2.1 that contains Promos chips. The normal 6400C4's are unaffected. Also do not purchase the 6400C5 as they are some of the worst clockers on the planet. Do not trust Corsairs name on some of these products.

Cheers

Yoxxy, I would like to ask a favor of you. Could you please edit, remove, or revise the incorrect information from this thread? It is your guide and if you choose not to include Corsair that is your choice and fine by me.

However, your statements about our Dominator memory are inaccurate. There HAS NEVER BEEN A DOMINATOR PC6400 module sent to any reviewer. This is misleading and is unfair criticism of our company and you are insinuating something we did not do.

And, FWIW, every Dominator module PC8500 and up is made with Micron and Micron only. I can go into an explanation about our 6400C4D if anyone cares to hear but, I don't want to invade Yoxxy's helpful guide here. I simply want to clarify a mistaken percaption

Thank you in advance for you assistance.

This isn't about what's been sent out to reviewers.

This is about how Corsair switches RAM revisions likes the wind.

It'd be one thing if they switched from Elpida IC to Micron, since that'd be a good switch.

But instead, Corsair starts out countless RAM kits with Micron, & then shortly afterwards when good reports from users have arrived, the IC is suddenly changed to Elpida or Promos.

Would you like me to go through the House of Help IC thread & point of just how much this happens?

And yes, i know other manufacturers change ICs, but they do it very infrequently, not with every second kit they sell.

Since i'm getting a little tired of this BS, here's the thread:
http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44365

How many freakin' revisions of all your RAM are there? :laugh:

I'd venture to say that's pretty much like i mentioned: ICs changing like the wind.

As far as i am concerned, the comment on Corsair needs to stay up.
Too many people buy into marketing...that's why there are forums to help people see the light :roll:

Bravo !!

I think that it is time for Memory Suppliers to end the Snake Oil Show, and allow their Customers to Purchase Apples for Apples.

It would end the word of mouth, second hand, urban legend stuff, that a current customer has to go thru just to know what is actually going into their machine.

I guess they want us to be good little republicans spin... spin... spin...