[BWX]

I've got an Abit NF-7, I'm going to be purchasing a matched set of either Corsair or Kingston, or anything else that will work. -low latency is the key here-

------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------
Possibly this stuff:
Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Cas Latency: 2-3-2-6 1T here
------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------

------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------
Or maybe this:
Kingston HyperX Series Dual Kits 184 Pin 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200
Cas Latency: 2-3-2-6-1T here
------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------

------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------
Also in the mix:
OCZ Enhanced Latency Series Dual Channel Platinum 184 Pin 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - OEM
Cas Latency: 2-2-3-5 1T here
------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------


-Obviously it will be running in dual mode, probably around 400mhz or a little higher- nothing too crazy.
My question is not which is the best ram, but more about which ram works best with an Abit NF7 in particular-

-Also if anyone has any other suggestions on different sticks or brands, let me know, and if any other retailers have better deals that you have seen also, don't be afraid to post links. I'm doing some research on my own, but any and all input is very much appreciated.

-I wish I could spend more, but right now $130-ish is the absolute maximum I can spend, but it seems like I can get a good set of matched 256mb sticks of 400mhz ram for that price, less is always better though.

[WildChild]

I went with the Hyper X myself and have had no problems whatsoever

[dipstick]

My order of preference would be Corsair>OCZ>Kingston. To be honest though I've never used Kingston memory, but my very old Corsair PC3200(6/3/3/2) runs at 226fsb with 6/2/2/2 timings rock solid with only 2.7v

[BWX]

Originally posted by kakarot
My order of preference would be Corsair>OCZ>Kingston. To be honest though I've never used Kingston memory, but my very old Corsair PC3200(6/3/3/2) runs at 226fsb with 6/2/2/2 timings rock solid with only 2.7v

With an NF7?

I know some ram works better w/ some mobo's- I'm thinking they are all good sticks, just trying to figure out which works best w/ an NF7-

[WildChild]

I would suggest the Kingston....just my opinion on stability and compatability

[dorkz]

Go for the Kingston

[BWX]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............................. ..

[dipstick]

Originally posted by BWX232
With an NF7?

Yep, on a Abit NF7-S rev. 2.0

[No_Style]

I think the Kingstons would be nice, for their price/performance. Typically, Corsairs are a little costly. I'm not a fan of OCZ.

[BWX]

Corsair does look nice, but it does look expensive too-

I'm real big on price/performance, and I think just by that the Kingston looks good. as long as it works good w/ NF7 mobo's in dual mode at rated speed and timings (and all the extra I can get form OC'ing beyond spec. is good too).

It's a revision 2 U400, so maybe all the incompatibilities I used to hear about was with the earlier versions.

[Roadee]

I have had excellent performance with my OCZ. Have bought alot of it lately, always performs great.

[Bane the ECF]

Originally posted by kakarot
My order of preference would be Corsair>OCZ>Kingston.

I agree with this statement.

[BWX]

Well one thing is sure- if that many people support all three brands, then I guess none of them can be all that bad. I'm not looking for the fastest ram in the world either, I'm just looking for something that will compliment what I have. Something capable of running 400mhz or so in dual mode at a low latency on an NF7. If funds weren't a problem this would be easy- the problem is the least expensive matched pair, the Kingston HyperX 3200, isn't even on the web sight anymore. I figured it would come back in stock, but now the link doesn't work and the product isn't even on the NewEgg. I won't be getting anything for a few weeks anyway- so I'm sure I'll find a deal somewhere. I hope.

[Vampyromaniac]

why not just get non-matched HyperX . . . dual-channel ain't all it's cracked up to be on AthlonXP

[BWX]

Originally posted by Vampyromaniac
why not just get non-matched HyperX . . . dual-channel ain't all it's cracked up to be on AthlonXP

Well, yeah- I guess they don't have to be matched sticks to run dual mode-

Right now I have one 256mb pc2100 crucial stick and one 512mb 2700 PNY stick in dual mode and it works (actually the PNY is messed up- the Crucial is actually faster). So I know you don't have to have matched sticks on my Mobo to run dual mode, but doesn't so called "matched sticks" have a greater potential to work together and OC a little better? Or what?

I'm still reading reviews, but it's hard to decipher what's what unless the reviewer is using my brand/ model. rev. mobo, even then it really doesn't mean anything because all sticks are different. Honestly I'm not going to be pissed if the ram won't hit 440mhz in dual mode, so maybe you have a point there. Maybe I don't really need matched sticks, it just seems like the right thing to get since that's what I'm going to be using it for.


Back to Googling.

[Vampyromaniac]

What I was saying was maybe you don't need to run in dual-channel. Your RAM may overclock a bit more in single-channel mode.

[BWX]

Originally posted by Vampyromaniac
What I was saying was maybe you don't need to run in dual-channel. Your RAM may overclock a bit more in single-channel mode.

While I was reading some articles and after thinkng about what you wrote I realized that's proably what you meant-

I see a pretty big performance increase using dual mode even with this crappy discombobulated ram- not only in benchmarks, but in games. After experimenting with dual mode and single mode at the same speed, I think I like dual mode.

But I wonder this, how many more mhz in single mode do you need to make up for the difference in bandwidth you gain by running dual channel mode? I guess I could do some tests with my setup, but it probbaly wouldn't be accurate because the dual mode isn't running as great as it could. Plus you have to take into consideration the slower you run your memory, the tighter timings you can run which also gives you a little more bandwidth.

This deal is looking pretty good after reading some more info-

OCZ Enhanced Latency Series Dual Channel Platinum 184 Pin 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - OEM CL 2-2-3-5 1T

OCZ


It seems like some people love this ram and some people really don't care for it- but for free shipping and those timings, it seems like a good deal. I'll have to just see what happens, maybe I'll be able to pick up some used sticks somewhere or something too

[Davidgt]

the corsair and kingston use BH-5 ram which is insaine o/cin ram.

[BWX]

Originally posted by Davidgt
the corsair and kingston use BH-5 ram which is insaine o/cin ram.

Like this stuff? Corsair TWINX512-3200LLPT

I was just trying to get some different prices and I notice Corsair has a couple 4 different 2 x 256 ddr400 TwinX matched sets-



2 of the four appear to be just different color heat spreaders- but 2 look like they boot at the tighter timings. They aren't THAT much more though. Why do they do that? Just to make it more confusing?

TWINX512-3200LL XMS3200 512MB 2-3-2-6 2x184 DIMM Black

TWINX512-3200LLPT XMS3200 512MB 2-3-2-6 2x184 DIMM Platinum

TWINX512-3200C2 XMS3200 512MB 2-3-3-6 2x184 DIMM Black

TWINX512-3200C2PT XMS3200 512MB 2-3-3-6 2x184 DIMM Platinum


Sheesh- But if you click on the links two have different descriptions-

guess the more expensive stuff is faster- right?

[Vampyromaniac]

Originally posted by BWX232
I see a pretty big performance increase using dual mode even with this crappy discombobulated ram- not only in benchmarks, but in games. After experimenting with dual mode and single mode at the same speed, I think I like dual mode.

Hehe, you may be seeing such an improvement because your RAM is crappy.

Assuming you'll run your FSB at the same speed as your memory . . . in single channel, your memory bandwidth and FSB bandwidth are equal. If you double your memory bandwidth (by running in dual-channel), you're still bottlenecked by the FSB's bandwidth.

Running dual-channel helps when your memory speed is lower than your FSB.

[BWX]

Originally posted by Vampyromaniac
Hehe, you may be seeing such an improvement because your RAM is crappy.

Assuming you'll run your FSB at the same speed as your memory . . . in single channel, your memory bandwidth and FSB bandwidth are equal. If you double your memory bandwidth (by running in dual-channel), you're still bottlenecked by the FSB's bandwidth.

Running dual-channel helps when your memory speed is lower than your FSB.

Yeah, that makes sense- but I am running the FSB andram in sync- BUT


I'm FINALLY about to buy some RAM!!!!

Now I don't know whether to get 3200 or 3500 mem, the difference in price is not that huge, I still want to keep it around 130 dollars- but if I can get better performance from the slightly higher latency pc3500 memory, I think it's worth it.I'm just not sure my NF7 will take full advantage of the pc3500 w/o a volt mod which I won't be doing any time soon.

I'm still wanting to stick with NewEgg, but if there's a much better deal out there I may consider getting it elsewhere.


I dunno- there are lots of choices, I will probably go with dual channel to start-


HyperX 2x256 3500 2-2-3-7 1T

HyperX 2x256 3200 2-3-2-6-1T

Corsair XMS 2x256 3200 2-3-2-6

OCZ 2x256 3500 2-3-3-7 1T

OCZ EL 2x256 3200 2-2-3-5 1T

I think that's all of them, I could also get one 512mb stick, but I think I'm gonna at least try the dual mode first, that's what I bought the mobo for.

Any last second thoughts from anyone, especially someone that has one of these particular sticks- I really cannot decide.

Corsair is always a solid choice, but the OCZ 3200 has slightly lower timings, the HyperX 3500 has pretty good timings for 3500 memory, and I'll be able to push it higher at lower latency if my FSB doesn't crap out too early.. I'm just not really sure.

[Sourcer_2002]

Hmm wow not take over you post but im lost on these timings thing.

Cas 2.0
Ras to Cas 2
Ras Precharge 2
Tras 6

Im running Corsair XMS CMX512-3200C2..so are those good timeings for a system running 333..13X multi...my ram is at 400MHZ...should i run it in sync?

Again sorry i dont man to jack you thread.

[BWX]

Originally posted by Vampyromaniac
.Running dual-channel helps when your memory speed is lower than your FSB.

Wait a second, are you saying that if you run your ram and FSB in sync that dual mode doesn't make that much of a difference? -because I have been and I still see about a 175mb/s increase in bandwidth with even this horribly mismatched ram. I would think that matched sticks would even do better in dual mode, even if running in sync w/ the FSB- Guess I won't know until I try it out myself.

[BWX]

Originally posted by Sourcer_2002
Hmm wow not take over you post but im lost on these timings thing.

Cas 2.0
Ras to Cas 2
Ras Precharge 2
Tras 6

Im running Corsair XMS CMX512-3200C2..so are those good timeings for a system running 333..13X multi...my ram is at 400MHZ...should i run it in sync?

Again sorry i dont man to jack you thread.

Yeah that's 2-2-2-6, lower the better, and in sync with FSB is always better. You should lower your multiplier, and sync your ram/FSB- then ram will be running much faster. if I read your question right.