P55 and memory speeds

[apriest]

I tend to run a computer platform 5+ yrs and it?s time to replace my ancient P4 (3.06GHz, 533MHz FSB). I?m going with a P55 motherboard, 860 CPU, and 8GB memory. I?m trying to figure what memory to get though. I?d like to stick with 1.65v tops since I?ll be using this machine for the long term and not overclocking the CPU. Has anyone read a review comparing performance differences between 1333 or 1600 memory and how CAS settings impact real world usage? Should I go for higher speed or lower CAS? I?ll be using it primary with Photoshop and panoramic rendering software, but will probably get back into gaming when the new ATI 5800 cards hit the street. Here are some 4GB 1.65v kits I?m considering (all prices NewEgg). I?d be getting two kits for 8GB running Windows 7 64-bit. If it makes a difference, I?ll also be going with 3x OCZ Vertex 30GB drives striped and a couple 1TB drives for data storage.

$96.99 1333MHz 6-6-6-20 Patriot PVV34G1333LLK
$115.99 1600MHz 7-7-7-18 mushkin 996746
$169.99 2000MHz 8-8-8-24 Patriot PVV34G2000LLKB
$279.99 2200MHz 8-8-8-? G.SKILL F3-17600CL8D-4GBPS (really more than I care to spend though)

I?m leaning towards the mushkin, but I?ll take any sound advice!

 

[Xed]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=233620

100 bucks or less per 4 gig kit.

 

[apriest]

Yeah, I considered G.SKILL 2000MHz but the default timings were 9-9-9-27 and Patriot was 8-8-8-24 at the same voltage, though admittedly higher cost. My bigger question is how much of a tradeoff are you getting in real world performance (not benchmarks). How far is it worth pushing and still be reliable/solid for 5yrs? Is it worth going for higher clock or lower CAS, and which one is the sweet spot (not considering price)?

Thanks for sharing the link; I'm going to go finish reading through it...

 

[taltamir]

I tend to run a computer platform 5+ yrs

Terrible idea. no matter your budget, it makes sense to replace it more often than that.
if your current build design is to last 5 years, simply divide it by 3, and use 1/3 of it to replace your computer today, 1/3 in 18 months, and 1/3 in another 18 months. There is absolutely no reason to shoot yourself in the foot by buying expensive mid-high range hardware for a premium every 5 years.

 

[apriest]

Well, suffice to say that my current computer doesn't have exactly the same components it did when it was built. About the only thing that has stayed the same is the case, power supply, motherboard, and CPU. I gave up on upgrades for this machine when everything moved to PCI Express. I also have 3 or 4 computers on rotation, and it's time to replace this oldest workstation with something that has a bit more kick. It's not feasible (nor necessary) to replace every machine every 2yrs around here. The P55 platform I'm considering will be ~$2300 which is under my budget and not a premium per say for something that can help me bill out more work in less time. I'm just saying that I'll likely still have the machine in production in 5yrs, even if it's no longer my main workstation, and I don't want to burn it out by overclocking it or going too high on the memory voltage, etc. This almost 7yr old P4 is running Win7 32-bit with 2GB memory (maxed out) and striped drives easily, and it suits my wife's purposes just fine; it just isn't fast enough for productive, efficient photo/video editing considering the tremendous leap current hardware has taken. At any rate, my original question still hasn't really been answered.

 

[Ben90]

I would be debating between the 1600@7 stuff and the 1333@6
The faster stuff is mostly there for overclocking headroom

The 1600 would prolly give a ~5% speed boost if something was really really really bandwidth intensive
The 1600 also provides a 3% faster cas timing then the 1336 stuff for stuff that's not bandwidth intensive

It kinda depends on what u do with the computer, if its something that would acctually see that 5/3% improvement then i would say spend the extra 20 bucks; check out whatever applications ur gonna run on ur workstation to see if it needs it.

But for things like gaming let me quote Anand

Average frame rates are up an astounding (had to make it interesting) 1% utilizing 1200 C5 over 2000 C8 while minimum frame rates improve by a ground shattering 0% when moving from 1200 C5 to 2000 C8 in single card results. In SLI operation, average frame rates improve by a familiar 1% as we crank up memory speed while minimum frame rates are 1% better when using 1200 C5 compared to 2000 C8. Obviously, the impact on actual game performance was nonexistent with any of our memory choices.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you are planning on filling up the RAM slots, it might be a good idea to choose memory that isn't too fast. See thread , it seems to be emerging that P55 / 1156 CPU don't support four DDR3-1600 DIMMs, only two DIMMs at DDR3-1600.

 

[apriest]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
If you are planning on filling up the RAM slots, it might be a good idea to choose memory that isn't too fast. See thread , it seems to be emerging that P55 / 1156 CPU don't support four DDR3-1600 DIMMs, only two DIMMs at DDR3-1600.

Hadn't considered that, truly useful info, thanks!

Thanks too Ben90. What article was your quote from? I suspect a soon to be posted Lynnfield followup article might address this too.