DDR3 for P45 E8500 Win 7 set up

[Eric F]

After some advice pls.

Have Windows 7 on pre-order and plan to up my memory with the install. Will probably be sticking to 32bit install, as driver with Sony music software I have is not 64bit compliant/upgradeable I think.

Anyway, my set up is Gigabyte EP45T, E8500 and currently 2GB DDR3. My guess is replacing these 2 sticks with 2x2048MB is best, but not sure about frequencies - I think 1333Mhz is the ideal speed to run with CPU, as at stock speeds, but what modules do I go for. Is there any benefit for going for 1600Mhz and underclocking to 1333Mhz speeds?

Does anyone know whether these new i5 & i7 sticks will work on a P45, or do they have specific requirements? They appeal due to lower looking latencies. If I did change my mind and go 64bit, the new 8MB kits look tempting, but as they seem to be i5/i7 compatible, I guess I can't use them :-(

[Iota]

I know the Gigabyte GA-EP45T-UD3R accepts 2GB DDR3 modules, it's not on the qualified vendor list, but i'm fairly certain (from past experience of Corsair ram / QVLs not being "complete" lists) that you'll have no issue running 2x2GB modules @ 1333Mhz.

I see no reason at all why the i5 / i7 compatible modules will not work on the P45 mobo in dual channel, they're better timings and lower voltages (1.65V being the limit for the integrated memory controller on the i7 / i5).

The only thing you may find is you have to loosen the timings if you use 4 sticks.

[Yellowbeard]

Originally Posted by Iota

I see no reason at all why the i5 / i7 compatible modules will not work on the P45 mobo in dual channel, they're better timings and lower voltages (1.65V being the limit for the integrated memory controller on the i7 / i5).

It depends on the module SPD. With the difference in latencies and settings related to the memory controller latencies, there are potentially some modules that might not boot on some older boards.