DDR2 opinions and advice please!

[Mutley]

Hi all,

I'm getting an Abit AB9 QuadGT mboard.....which RAM is best?

The PC will serve two purposes - general office stuff, web browsing etc, and gaming. I play mostly FPS stuff (BF2, DOD, that sort of thing).

Its going to be running with an E6600 and a 640Mb 8800GTS, and I'll be sticking 2GB RAM in.

To begin with I'll run it at stock speeds, but I do intend to OC it, although not to extremes, and I'm no expert. I'm also hoping to go water-cooled (possibly with Koolance gear).

So, questions:

1. Is PC2 8500 worth it over PC2 6400? Seems Corsair 6400 memory at lower latencies is cheaper than 8500 with higher latencies.
2. Crucial or Corsair (or someone else)?

Thanks for your feedback!

Mut.

[daza]

If your looking to run the ram on a 1:1 divider pc-6400 should be fine as you'll be able to get a max of a 400fsb without overclocking the ram.

Now I've got some pc-8500 ram that Im currently using but tbh its not worth the extra ££ as you wont be able to get the board anywhere near a 533fsb without subzero cooling maybe 500fsb if your lucky.

And if you want to get some pc-8500 you will be able to run it at its rates speed but on a different divider, as Im currently running a E6400 at 425x8 with the ram at 531mhz on a 4:5 divider.

And as a personal recomendation I would go with the crucial ballistix stuff as I think there pretty cheap at the mo.

[Mutley]

Thanks Daza...so are you saying that pc8500 is a not a worthwhile investment...compared to 6400?

[BUFF]

Pretty much anything with Micron D9 runs nicely on the QuadGT e.g. Ballistix, G.Skill 6400HZ etc.

The QuadGT is a great mobo but you may want to consider the IP35 Pro instead (just won Editor's Choice at the Tech Report).

[Mutley]

What advantages does that provide over the QuadGT?