Best memory for Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe

[Taz]

I've searched around but cannot find a definitive answer to a problem. There seem to be two big players in the memory arena: Crucail and Corsair. They have their own 'configurators' in which you put in the spec of your hardware and they'll come up with the best recommended memory (usually quite expensive, funnily enough!).

Many retailers also use these configuration engines (eg. Scan promote Corsair, others promote Crucial).

I'm now looking at an Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe motherboard and the Scan/Corsair memory configurator comes up with (highest performance):

- 1 Gb (2 x 512 Mb) Corsair TwinX-XL, DDR, PC3200XLPT, Cas 2 = £182.11

The Crucial configurator (on crucial.com/uk) comes up with loads of options, the 'most popular' one is:

- CT6464Z40B 512MB DDR PC3200, CL=3, UNBUFFERED, NON-ECC, DDR400, 2.6V, 64Meg x 64 = £49.34 x 2 = £98.68 for 1GB

The crucial site does have lots of other (more expensive) options including Ballistix modules.

Anyway, is it worth spending the extra. I do want to overclock but not to extreme levels.

Taz

[skuzgib]

TBH you can't really compare the two - the corsair stuff is meant for overclockers, while the crucial stuff is meant to run at stock speeds and probably could't handle much faster than that.

[Spunkey]

as above, the Corsair is the daddy. Rivalled only by OCZ Platinum 3200, which is also around £190.

It all depends on if you want to run at stock or not.

[Thorsson]

TBH you can't really compare the two - the corsair stuff is meant for overclockers, while the crucial stuff is meant to run at stock speeds and probably could't handle much faster than that.

True. The configurator is confusing - you need to specify that you want performance RAM (can't recall details). Anyway, what Taz wants is Crucial Ballistix PC3200. This is better than the Corsair (according to Anandtech) and cheaper.

[Taz]

Thorsson: I agree. I phoned Crucial in the end - they were very helpful by the way. They pointed me to the Ballistix PC3200 (part number: BL6464Z505). They also cleared up something that confused me about 'matched pairs'.

The Corsair 'matched pair' stuff is sold as a package of two sticks. Crucial told me that they don't do this - each stick is packaged separately, even though their configurator mentions that for best performance you need a matched pair!

I questioned this and their support person told me that 'matched pair' means sticks with the same spec (i.e. same size, pins, timings). Now, is this correct? If so, what's the deal with the Corsair stuff in which you get 2 x 512MB sticks in one package as a 'matched pair' whereas with Crucial you just put 2 sticks into your shopping basket (each stick packaged separately to make up a 'matched pair' according to Crucial's defintion of 'matched pair')?

[Rod911]

A 'matched pair' is defined as a two sets of RAM sticks that have been physically tested and validated to run on the same settings (timings, voltage, etc...) as one another on a dual channel setup.

[Thorsson]

LOL. Read what you wrote carefully, Rod. Now think about it. Just what is being promised by that 'matched pair', eh?

I'd be very surprised if retail 'matched pairs' had been individually picked, wouldn't you? And I'd equally be very surprised if two sticks of memory from the same manufacturer, with the same chips and CB, and from the same shipment, didn't work together at the same settings... Now just what those settings are...

And naturally the pairs sent to Hardware Review sites are picked randomly by the manufacturers, aren't they?

Let's be a bit realistic here. All these sticks will run PC3200 at CAS 2 and 1T, or you return them. Just how much OC you can get out of them is going to vary.

[Rod911]

OCZ Technology

Every Dual Channel Kit from OCZ is hand tested as a matched pair across a wide variety of motherboards to ensure flawless performance on most motherboards.

Corsair

Matched pairs for today's hot dual channel motherboards. TWINX modules are tested in pairs, in dual channel motherboards, at very aggressive latency settings for optimum performance and compatibility.

Kingston

Kingston HyperX memory is designed based on the latest DDR specifications available, and is 100% tested at Kingston's flagship factories. Plus, these Kingston modules come with the standard Kingston lifetime warranty and toll-free Tech Support. Built with the best-quality components, Kingston HyperX is competitively priced and is the choice for the serious gamer.

Kingston's HyperX kits are designed and tested to meet dual channel architecture requirements such as those found on chipsets and motherboards like nVidia's nforce2, and Intel's® Canterwood and Springdale.

It's true that manufacturing standards have increased in that you probably don't need to buy a dual channel kit, or matched pairs. Whereas two to three years ago you'd be taking a gamble that the two sticks you've bought from the same manufacturer won't work with each other. However, these kits are produced because they are guaranteed to work together at their rated speeds and timings.

As a downside of purchasing a matched pair is that if they don't work as a pair, then you'd have to RMA it. You have to return both sticks and not just the one you think you're having problems with. This could possibly leave you with no memory at all.

The Ballistix PC3200 which have been mentioned will no doubt work in a dual channel setup if you bought two of them. I'm not disputing that. But for peace of mind, I'd rather purchase a DC kit.

FYI, even though Crucial does not carry any DC kits, they still do some testing to verify that the Ballistix would work in a DC setup.

EDIT: the 'testing' link led to the wrong information. Fixed.

[Taz]

[QUOTE=Rod911
The Ballistix PC3200 which have been mentioned will no doubt work in a dual channel setup if you bought two of them. I'm not disputing that. But for peace of mind, I'd rather purchase a DC kit.[QUOTE]

This is exactly my problem! The Crucial rep I spoke to said they don't do DC kits. Their memory can only be purchased as single sticks. I cannot find any DC kits on their site. Perhaps someone can post a URL for a Ballistix PC3200 1GB DC kit...

[m1ke_hawkins]

See here

Mike

[BlueMagician]

So which memory is best for overclocking with AMD64 on this board?

Is lower latency/better timings the key, or higher rate 3200/4000, or both ?

It looks as though somewhere around £190 for a 1GB matched pair is the norm, but which is best for running @ non-stock speeds?


Thanks,
S.

[skuzgib]

So which memory is best for overclocking with AMD64 on this board?

Is lower latency/better timings the key, or higher rate 3200/4000, or both ?

It looks as though somewhere around £190 for a 1GB matched pair is the norm, but which is best for running @ non-stock speeds?


Thanks,
S.

A lot of the time PC3200 RAM may be the same as the higher rated RAM, but with different SPD porgramming - i.e. higher speed with looser timings, the same as if it had been overclocked but costing more!

[Rod911]

So which memory is best for overclocking with AMD64 on this board?

Is lower latency/better timings the key, or higher rate 3200/4000, or both ?

It looks as though somewhere around £190 for a 1GB matched pair is the norm, but which is best for running @ non-stock speeds?


Thanks,
S.

In an ideal world, a combination of both low latency and high FSB would do wonders for any platform. But we do not live in an ideal world, and we must learn to give and take.

I'd say for most A64 systems that are planning to OC, the goal should be at least 2.5, 2, 2, xx @ 250 HTT with a 1T command rate in a 1:1 setup. Well at least that'll be my goal when I get my NF4U setup up and running later this month. I've got a DC kit from OCZ, their PC3700 EL Platinum (2, 3, 3, 8). Hopefully they'll do well.

If you go by the experiencies of those who tend to extend themselves than the usual overclocker, then a kit of OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Gold VX paired up with an DDR Booster would do the trick. A lot of people are reporting high HTT (>250) along with very low latencies (2, 2, 2, xx).