Choosing RAM for a Q6600 overclocking system

[Phil_P]

Hi,

I need a little advice on choosing some RAM for a Q6600 Quad Core overclocking system.

I'm planning on high end air cooling, so a fsb of 333 (333x9=3GHz) is probably realistic but I'll be very unlikely to get anywhere near 400fsb that a core 2 duo might hit.

Thus, is it worth going with faster ram (DDR2-800) or is it better to go with DDR2-667 and run the memory synchronous (1:1) ??

Possible contenders are (2x1GB):

Corsair XMS2-5400C4 (DDR2-667) ~£50
Corsair XMS2-6400C5 (DDR2-800) ~£70
Corsair XMS2-6400C4 (DDR2-800) ~£94
OCZ Platinum XTC rev2 (DDR2-800) ~£80

I'm assuming here that the Q6600 is multiplier locked at x9 and I can't turn it down to x8 or x7 to get the fsb up to 400 - is this correct?

[staffsMike]

You probably only need 667MHz but i wouldn't bother with the corsair stuff..theres cheaper and better else where.

You may as well get the 800Mhz just in case its not too much more and there are some great deals around.

Crucial Ballistix is highly regarded at the moment..my 667mhz of it clocks to 800mhz easily and will probably go far beyond that.

[Clunk]

Hi,

I need a little advice on choosing some RAM for a Q6600 Quad Core overclocking system.

I'm planning on high end air cooling, so a fsb of 333 (333x9=3GHz) is probably realistic but I'll be very unlikely to get anywhere near 400fsb that a core 2 duo might hit. If you get a q6600 like mine that runs hot, its unlikely that youll get that far using air cooling.

Thus, is it worth going with faster ram (DDR2-800) or is it better to go with DDR2-667 and run the memory synchronous (1:1) ?? Remember that with a 9x multi, you can theoretically hit 3.6ghz on PC2-6400 ram without overclocking the ram. With faster ram, you can always use a divider and run the ram faster, the benefits of this arent huge, but they are ok.

Possible contenders are (2x1GB):

Corsair XMS2-5400C4 (DDR2-667) ~£50 No, will possibly limit your overclock.
Corsair XMS2-6400C5 (DDR2-800) ~£70 Theres as good or better for cheaper if you shop round
Corsair XMS2-6400C4 (DDR2-800) ~£94 Too expensive for what it is, shop around.
OCZ Platinum XTC rev2 (DDR2-800) ~£80 OK but Still overpriced.

I'm assuming here that the Q6600 is multiplier locked at x9 and I can't turn it down to x8 or x7 to get the fsb up to 400 - is this correct? The multi is upwards locked, so you can use 9, 8, 7, 6, but not 10, 11, 12 etc.

Have a shop round, but if you are intent on going for more expensive ram, have a look at the crucial ballistix range, excellent ram.

[Phil_P]

Thanks guys!

I do want decent RAM as the stuff I'll be running is very memory speed dependent.

Have a shop round, but if you are intent on going for more expensive ram, have a look at the crucial ballistix range, excellent ram.

I won't get anything that doesn't carry a lifetime guarantee. I've always bought regular crucial in the past, but the last ballistix still I bought died and had to be replaced. Also, I'm not keen on the relatively high voltages it runs at, but I'll certainly look at it as it seems about the same price as the corsair.

Clunk - do you know if the Q6600's are locked or can the multiplier be lowered (to x8)?

Thanks again

[Clunk]

Just answered that...look at the bold text above

[Phil_P]

Just answered that...look at the bold text above

My apologies Sir - you the man

[Clunk]

The thing with the ballistix, and any other D9xxx ram, is that you need to have active cooling on them, as they do get very hot otherwise. Just an 80mm fan at low rpm is enough.

The ballistix are 2.2v so not as bad as a lot of D9 ram. I have some Team 9600 that runs at 2.45v

[Marcvs]

nah corsair dominator that needs 2.5V

[Phil_P]

Unless the processor is very fsb limited, I think I'll just turn the multiplier down and see if I can get the fsb anywhere up near 400 and go with some DDR2-800 RAM running in sync.

Thanks for all the excellent advice - very much appreciated!

Now I just gotta wait for those July price drops

[Clunk]

nah corsair dominator that needs 2.5V

Which ones?

[Boon72]

i have a dual core e6600, which i run geil 6400 ultra low (2gb kit currently £60 from www.microdirect.co.uk) which ive had running @400mhz on a 8 multiplier, the 9x posts but wont boot into windows. all at stock cooling and voltage