DDR2 RAM choices for C2D overclock

[Chunkers]

So if I want to get up to 3 Ghz with a Gigabyte DS3 / E6400 combo (on air) what is the most economic RAM choice?

I suppose the zero-risk option is DDR2-800 which can easily manage 375 Mhz FSB, trouble is, its pricey stuff.

Is there a better way using a different mb and RAM divider (have read that DS3 won't go below 1:1) or cheaper RAM that will oc (DDR2-533 or DDR2-667) to relevant speeds.

Can't see the point in saving money on cheaper mb (DS3) and having to spend cash on expensive RAM.

What are peeps doing here?

Chz

Chunks

PS Sorry if the above lacks clarity or accuracy but I have had 5 cans of Grolsch, mmmmmmm

[ExceededGoku]

I would be looking at some Geil or Gskill stuff, this GeIL stuff that I have is good for 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15 at 2.15V! So I would defo recommend more GeIL

[owen1978]

Team Xtreme nuff said

[danroyle]

super talent overclocks brilliantly

[jackvdbuk]

dont quote me on this but so does A-Data... which is the ram i wanted ot get

[Chunkers]

Thanks for the posted replies, didn't really make my point ery clearly last night. I know I can get good performance from the higher priced RAM with faster timings.

I was more interested in any of the cheaper alternatives, as mentioned by jackvdbuk - Anand recommended the A-Data Vitesta DDR2-533 as a good overclocking RAM and I wondered if anyone was having much success with cheaper/slower DDR2 modules and running them at higher voltages and speeds.

Cost saving could be £100 for 2Gb

Cheers

Chunks

[owen1978]

Whats price range are you looking at?

[uk_sam]

I've got the DS3 and discovered that it had no memory dividers less than 1:1 like you mentioned. I had already purchased GSkill DDR2-667 which is only rated to 333MHz and a Conroe E6300 so I was worried about limiting my overclocks to only 2.2GHz-2.3GHz.

However I read that DDR2-667 ram is very overclockable and I've found this to be true. My memory is running at 372MHz at the standard timing of 4-4-4-12. I added 0.3v to the RAM (2.1v at the moment) and I'm sure that the memory can go a bit higher - I'll loosen the timings if required. I personally think i could reach 2.8GHz-3GHz.

So at the moment my Conroe E6300 is at 2.6GHz with a multiplier of 7x. The E6400 which a multipler of 8x would mean close to 3GHz (an FSB of 372MHz) which is easily achievable IMO.

[Chunkers]

I'm hoping to get to 3 Ghz with a E6400 so I guess ill need RAM that will get to erm:

3000 / 8 = 375 Mhz FSB
i.e. 375 * 2 = 750 Mhz (so higher than DDR 667 but less than DDR 800)

Is this right?

I have also read that most DDR2-667 will overclock well with a bit of extra voltage.

Budget, well £150 for 2Gb max sound about right?

Chz
Chnks

[uk_sam]

I'm hoping to get to 3 Ghz with a E6400 so I guess ill need RAM that will get to erm:

3000 / 8 = 375 Mhz FSB
i.e. 375 * 2 = 750 Mhz (so higher than DDR 667 but less than DDR 800)

Is this right?

I have also read that most DDR2-667 will overclock well with a bit of extra voltage.

Budget, well £150 for 2Gb max sound about right?

Chz
Chnks

Yeah like I said in my previous post, you should be fine. The RAM I purchased was:

G.Skill 2GB DDR2 LA PC2-5400

The DDR2 memory prices seem to have shot through the roof over the last month or so. I only paid £117 for mine but its about £145 now. Overclockers have the G.Skill 2GB DDR2 NR PC2-6400 for £152 so maybe thats worth a look too.

[finlay666]

Team Xtreme nuff said

seconded! mine can run at 400mhz (800mhz effective) at 3-4-4-8 timings
can go up to ddr 1000 at 4-4-4-12 too within stock volts range
£150 for 2gb too

[owen1978]

seconded! mine can run at 400mhz (800mhz effective) at 3-4-4-8 timings
can go up to ddr 1000 at 4-4-4-12 too within stock volts range
£150 for 2gb too

They can even higher at looser timings i.e. at 5-5-5

[Chunkers]

Thanks guys, really useful.

Chunks

[Nox]

Yeah like I said in my previous post, you should be fine. The RAM I purchased was:

G.Skill 2GB DDR2 LA PC2-5400

The DDR2 memory prices seem to have shot through the roof over the last month or so. I only paid £117 for mine but its about £145 now. Overclockers have the G.Skill 2GB DDR2 NR PC2-6400 for £152 so maybe thats worth a look too.

Was that the C3 or C4 stuff you got?

Nox

[uk_sam]

Was that the C3 or C4 stuff you got?

Nox

CL4.

[Rys]

Just picked up some Mushkin EM2-6400 (5-5-5-15 @ 1.9V, 400MHz, £145 for 2 x 1GiB). They don't do much more than 500MHz at any voltage or timings, but 4-5-4-11 460MHz @ 2.25V is decent enough for the overclocker on a bit of a budget (like me after snagging the X6800 ).