Memory Explanation

[djcool976]

I'm building a new rig and have some memory questions. I've decided to go with a Q6600 based build using a Gigabyte X38 Mobo, ATI 3870 video card, 4 or 8GB of RAM. I'd like to do some overclocking but I'm a OC beginner. What speed of DDR2 RAM would be suggested? Would I be fine going with DDR2-800 or should I go for 1000 or 1066? Let me know if more information is needed.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: djcool976
4 or 8GB of RAM.

8 gigs????? Even 4 is a waste!

 

[imported_wired247]

How can you assume 8GB is a waste, when the OP has not even said what it is he is going to be doing with his rig

If it's for browsing and gaming, then yes, 8GB is a waste. But 4GB is a nice place to be nowadays price-wise, so unless you really can't afford the $20-40 that 4GB costs over 2GB then it's a good way to go.

You will be more than fine with DDR2-800, preferably some sticks that operate at lower voltage between 1.8 - 2.0V


Times when more RAM is better:

you are doing audio/video mastering or editing, being able to load all work into RAM is a huge speed benefit

you are running VMs ... practically goes without saying more RAM = more options there

and I think this is just the tip of the iceburg

 

[djcool976]

I appreciate the tip guys. I'll just stick with DDR2-800. It's the cheapest of the mix anyways. This will OC just fine I assume?

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: djcool976
I appreciate the tip guys. I'll just stick with DDR2-800. It's the cheapest of the mix anyways. This will OC just fine I assume?

Intel CPUs report their FSB as a "quad-pumped" number, because the CPU makes four transfers per clock cycle of the FSB. What this means is that the true FSB clock speed of an Intel processor is 1/4th of what they tell you.

For your Q6600, that's 1066MHz / 4 = 266 MHz.

DDR2 RAM makes two transfers per clock cycle, so the number reported on your DDR2 needs to be divided by two to find the actual FSB clock speed. DDR2-800 is capable of running up to 800MHz/2 = 400MHz.

If you ran your Q6600 on a FSB of 400MHz, it would be running at 3.6GHz, because 400MHz x 9 (the Q6600's multiplier) = 3600MHz.

I hope all of that made sense.

The short version is that 3.6GHz is as high as you can possibly hope to go with a Q6600, and DDR2-800 can take you there, assuming the rest of your system is up to the task.

 

[imported_wired247]

^ what DSF said.

Unless you are taking something like an e8500 to overclock hell you won't really need more than DDR2-800

 

[djcool976]

Thanks for the information DSF...it did make sense and I appreciate it. I have decided to go with DDR2-800 as I don't plan on going to 3.6 with my CPU. It's a nice number but I need to make sure it lives a long time. I'm hoping to quit around 3.2 so the 800 will be perfect. Thanks for all the help group.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: djcool976
4 or 8GB of RAM.

8 gigs????? Even 4 is a waste!

Someone hasn't upgraded to the latest Windows OS i assume?

4 GB is absolutely not a waste in Vista; it's a hell of a lot faster than 2 GB.
I would say 8 GB isn't necessary for most, but with DDR2 prices so low & Vista so pro-active with memory, why not?

djcool976, DDR2-800 would indeed be fine for a Q6600 unless you like clocking & tweaking RAM with higher than 1:1.