Why would I want Ballistix?

[Ripper]

I am interested in Upgrading my memory. i currently have the following

Crucial Part Number: CT2KIT6464Z40B
Module Size: 1GB kit (512MBx2)
Package: 184-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR PC3200
Specs: DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 64Meg x 64

I am looking at upgrading to the following:

Crucial Part Number: CT2KIT12864Z40B
Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
Package: 184-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR PC3200
Specs: DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 128Meg x 64

However I have my eye on ther Crucial Ballistix range, this item to be frank

Crucial Part Number: BL2KIT12864Z503
Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
Package: Ballistix 184-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR PC4000
Specs: DDR PC4000 • 3-4-4-8 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR500 • 2.8V • 128Meg x 64

Which is the Ballistix range. Is the Ballistix Range worth the extra 50 odd quid? is it not just standard memory in copper heat sinks?

[herulach]

Its binned to run better latencies, it definately isnt worth getting teh pc4000 stuff, the 3200 will do the same speed with ease. The main advantage of ballistix of normal ram is tight timings. If you dont know or care what memory timings are you dont need it.

[monkeeboy]

The Ballistix is DDR500 while the standard ram is DDR400. If your motherboard supports DDR500 you can put more data bandwith through the chips and therefore see an increase in performance if you deal with alot of raw data. Otherwise stick to the DDR400 and save yourself 50 squid.

Also, as herulach said, get the RAM with better latency timings if your gaming etc.

[herulach]

The Ballistix is DDR500 while the standard ram is DDR400. If your motherboard supports DDR500 you can put more data bandwith through the chips and therefore see an increase in performance if you deal with alot of raw data. Otherwise stick to the DDR400 and save yourself 50 squid.

Also, as herulach said, get the RAM with better latency timings if your gaming etc.

You raise an interesting point there, bandwidth is arguably just as important for gaming as latency.

Also, if youre on A64, you need to worry more about if your chip will support DDR500 than your motherboard.

[kempez]

I run the Ballistix @ 280 x 10 1:1 on my OC no problems at 3-3-3-8

It almost beats my old TCCD (@ 280 x 10 2.5-4-3-6) in Sandra

Awesome stuff for 2gb

[TunnelRat]

Crucial Ballistix is nice memory, especially the Tracer Memory but I've always preferred OCZ Gold Memory myself, although if you're into overclocking the Platinum Series would be your best bet.

[kempez]

The Platinum Series hasn't been getting great results when I've looked - Ballistix have been the best I've seen although sme decent results from PQI and some pretty damn decent cheap GSkill

[NightshadowUK]

Ripper: The difference between 1:1 with loose timings, and using a memory divider with tight timings is very small indeed (2 - 3% either way in benchmarks). It all depends on your own preference.

If I was you, I'd choose which ever option was the cheapest.

[Ripper]

OK thanks for the advice. I'll stick with the cheaper stuff, buy some nice heatsinks for it and put the rest towards me other upgrades!

[prehensile]

You would want that stuff because you have an overclocking processor that you want to enhance with a faster frontside bus or else the tighter timings which actually give you 1.3%.

You should probably invest in faster hard drives if you haven't already, or get 2 GB of RAM.

[StormPC]

The Platinum Series hasn't been getting great results when I've looked - Ballistix have been the best I've seen although sme decent results from PQI and some pretty damn decent cheap GSkill

I just picked up some PC3200 OCZ Platinum Rev2 and it is the fastest memory I've ever tested on an NF4 motherboard. My 24/7 overclock with 2.9v and passive cooling is 276MHz (DDR552) with 2.5-3-3-6 1T timings. Almost 7500 MB/s in Sandra.

Runs much higher with volts and active cooling.

[Rys]

I just picked up some PC3200 OCZ Platinum Rev2 and it is the fastest memory I've ever tested on an NF4 motherboard. My 24/7 overclock with 2.9v and passive cooling is 276MHz (DDR552) with 2.5-3-3-6 1T timings. Almost 7500 MB/s in Sandra.

Runs much higher with volts and active cooling.

Indeed! Infact, the OCZ was the fastest TCCD-based memory I tested, doing DDR588 at 2.5-4-4-8, 1T, 2.95V, in my roundup for HEXUS last year.

Best memory I've ever used.

[kempez]

I just picked up some PC3200 OCZ Platinum Rev2 and it is the fastest memory I've ever tested on an NF4 motherboard. My 24/7 overclock with 2.9v and passive cooling is 276MHz (DDR552) with 2.5-3-3-6 1T timings. Almost 7500 MB/s in Sandra.

Runs much higher with volts and active cooling.

I was talking about 2 gig kits

I have 1gb TCCD Rev 2 and its the fastest RAM I've ever used too - 310MHz @ 2.5-4-3-6

But I was referring to the OCZ 2gb kits

[piranha]

I also run my Opteron 146 @ 280x10 3 3 3 8 1:1.