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View Full Version : 2GB AMD Venice, 4x512 or 2x1GB


Otter
05-16-05, 09:34 PM
I'm about to give the new memory controller on the Venice a try, and I'm having a hard time deciding whether to go with a more traditional 2x1GB setup or take AMD at their word and run four 512MB sticks of single-sided RAM.

I'm thinking of using either four 512MB, Crucial CT6464Z40B.8T (.8T indicates that it's single sided. There is also a double sided .16T version of this RAM)
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.asp?imodule=CT6464Z40B&WSMD=CT6464Z40B&WSPN=CT6464Z40B

or one of these OCZ 2x1GB kits
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_el_ddr_pc_3200_dual_channel_titanium
Does anyone know anything about the chips in these things?

The Crucial modules are about $70 cheaper, and are rated 3-3-3-6 as opposed to 2-3-2-5 for the more expensive OCZ setup. I'm not sure how running four modules will affect the timings for the Crucial sticks, but I've read that AMD promises the Venice's memory controller will run them at at least 200MHz and 1T. I couldn't find anything useful about revision E on AMD's site, though.

The CPU will probably be a Venice 3200 (though if I go with the cheaper memory I might spring for the 3500), watercooled, but no phase change. I'll rig some sort of active cooling for the memory too, but I won't be sure what form that will take until I see how much heat it actually puts out.

I am hoping for tight timings but I can live without a four digit RAM clock. Of course, I'll take whatever overclock the RAM has to give, but I'd be happy with 2-2-2-6 1T, even at 200MHz.

So what do y'all think? Will the OCZ sticks justify the higher price tag, or will the cheaper, 4x solution do about as well with a little tweaking?

HousERaT
05-16-05, 10:36 PM
don't get your hopes up on the 4 sticks of ram..... I have yet to see a report of anyone doing it successfully at 1T.

Otter
05-16-05, 11:13 PM
That concerns me too, HousERaT. OTOH, I haven't seen any reports of anyone trying 4 sticks of single-sided and failing either. It does seem pretty clear at this point that double-sided still needs 2T, but then, AMD said that.

SteveOCZ
05-17-05, 11:54 AM
These 1GB stick have done 240FSB or more in the reviews I have seen. For 2GB's I think this is the best you'd find. The 1GB stick out with 2-3-2 timings are ok for stock speed, but don't OC as well as the 3-3-3- sticks

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr_pc_3200_2gb_dual_channel