PC3200 or PC3500?

SideShowHaze · Apr 11, 2004

Hi
Have just started to build a new system and I have got most of the parts except for the memory. I can't decide if I should get PC3200 or PC3500 memory.

This is wot i've got so far:
AMD Athlon XP3000+ 400Mhz
A7N8X-E Deluxe
Antec True Blue 480w
Coolermaster ACB-V83+ Jet 7
Lian Li PC-60 Case

I'm going to OC my system but unsure wot would be the best.
I know the faster memory would be better but would it be worth it or would i get as good as performance from a PC3200?
For brand of memory i'll properly go with Corsair or if any1 can recommend a tried and tested memory on this motherboard would be appreciated.

Cheers

ManOfKnight · Apr 11, 2004

The difference between many PC3200 and PC3500 modules are minimal at best. If you want extreme performance I would go with a PC4000 or better...unless you can find some cheap BH-5 chips in the PC2700 to PC3200 range.

OCZ is an excellent brand...I would look into them for their ram. Although I am still partial to my HyperX memory modules

SideShowHaze · Apr 11, 2004

I read a thread somewhere that said it was not worth getting more than a PC3700 on a AMD platform. If i can find BH-5 chips on PC3200 would that perform as good a PC3700. Wot chip type should i be looking on a PC3500 or PC3700 if i did go for that.

flapperhead · Apr 11, 2004

to determine ur memory needs u have to have an idea on how fast the fsb will run. if it runs 220-230 maybe some good ch5 pc3500. if it runs 230-245 maybe some samsung pc3700. if it goes 250+ then some pc4000. since the bh5/6 modules are rare and expensive (350-400 a gig) i didnt include them.

mobyj · Apr 11, 2004

IMO I would choose the pc 3500! I think you can oc that better..

mercuryscythe · Apr 11, 2004

I have PC3700 Corsair with CAS3, i wish i had gone for somthing with a lower CAS now.

glock19owner · Apr 11, 2004

mercuryscythe said:
I have PC3700 Corsair with CAS3, i wish i had gone for somthing with a lower CAS now.

odds are since its 233FSB rated...and if you are running under 233FSB...it is possibile to run it at cas 2.5....

SideShowHaze · Apr 11, 2004

I think i will go for PC3500. I did some searching for any BH-5 chips on that memory and found the Mushkin DDR RAM - PC3500 - Level2 2-2-2 - DDR433 which are very good by what i have read. I have also seen these OCZ memory but unsure on what chip type it is the OCZ DDR PC-3500 / 433mhz / Dual Channel / Enhanced Latency Series. Does any1 know what chips the OCZ are? With the A7N8X-E Deluxe what would be the best compatible and to OC memory?

Digital_Cowboy · Apr 11, 2004

ManOfKnight said:
If you want extreme performance I would go with a PC4000 or better...

I would only agree if your CPU is multi unlocked. Otherwise, pc4000 is too slow at lower FSB's. Go with the 3500 if your CPU is unlocked. IMO.

SideShowHaze · Apr 12, 2004

How would i know if the cpu multi is unlocked?

Digital_Cowboy · Apr 12, 2004

SideShowHaze said:
How would i know if the cpu multi is unlocked?

Some of the older AMD's are Multiplier unlocked. You can find out if it is by going to your BIOS and try to lower the multiplier by 1. Reboot and re-enter BIOS. If the value you assigned stayed through the reboot, congratulations, you have an unlocked CPU. My 2800+ is unlocked and it means that you can lower the multiplier and crank the FSB(assuming that your mobo locks the PCI and AGP bus @ 33/66 respectively). By cranking the fsb to say 250+, you have effectively used that pc4000 for all it's worth. That's how pc4000 is worth it. If your CPU is locked, then there's no way you will be able to crank the FSB to 250+. Good luck.

Quailane · Apr 13, 2004

His is 99% guaranteed to be locked if he bought it any time after last november/december. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but the 3000+ at 400Mhz fsb is a bad overclocker. A 2500+ shows much more promise just because of the higher multiplier. If your motherboard can get to 220fsb, which is about the top for the A7N8X, you can only get 2310Mhz out of that chip. If you had a 2500+ or 3200+, you would get 2420Mhz. If you got good pc3200 ram, you would probably reach 220 if you up the voltage a little, but just get pc3500 so you can get it with low timings at 220.

SideShowHaze · Apr 13, 2004

This is the CPU ive got,
AXDA3000DKV4E 3000+ 2100MHz = [200] x 10.5 Barton
So what i cant push the multi to 11 or more and fsb to 220 to get at least 2.4 out of it. This is a bit lame because i thought it was good to get the 3000XP with the 400Mhz stocked. If i want to achieve anything more than 2.4 what CPU would i be looking at 2600XP, 2800XP or should i just keep with wot ive got.

cyberslim01 · Apr 13, 2004

2500xp mobile 1.45 with a dfi infinity ultra (extreme o/clockin up to around 3ghz) outperforms in some tests on some opterons athlon64 penitum 4s etc
ch-5 3200 ram or 4000 if u cna run fsb at 250 i guess

Quailane · Apr 13, 2004

Try pushing the fsb as high as it'll go and then choose a processor from that. My guess is that a 2600+ barton would be your best bet with its 11.5 multiplier. 11.5x210=2415Mhz
If you were able to achieve 218-220 fsb, I'd suggest a 2500+.

Silent Buddha · Apr 14, 2004

Anything after 0339 is locked...get some good PC3200 and oc...

SideShowHaze · Apr 14, 2004

The Mushkin DDR RAM - PC3500 - Level2 2-2-2 - DDR433 has sold out. (aint no surprise there) So now its come down to the Kingston HyperX 1GB (2x512MB) DDR PC3500 CL2 Dual Channel or the OCZ PC3500 Dual Channel 2 x 512 MB CL2 DDR EL Memory. Both memories are very silmilar but has any1 tried OC with them on the A7N8X-E would love to know what performed best.

PC3200 or PC3500?

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