Help me choose 2GB for A8N-SLI Premium and AMD 3700+

[KartShifter]

Okay, I've spent many hours researching components for my first build. (from scratch, at least) I will use it to play BF2 and rFactor, and some digital video editing. Budget is around $1200 and I already have a Pioneer CD/DVD combo and a new Maxtor 100GB (Ultra ATA/133)

Here's the items I have chosen so far...


Coolermaster Centurion 5 case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119068

Mitsumi Black internal floppy/ card reader:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16821104104

Asus A8N-SLI Premium motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131540

eVGA Geforce 7800GT video card (470 core, 1100 memory):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130249

Creative Audigy2 ZS sound card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102162

Antec TruePower 2.0 TP-2 550 Watt PSU (I know, overkill, but may SLI later):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103932

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103539

Now here's where I really need help, There are so many memory choices. I know certain mobos are picky, and the asus compatibility chart is pretty useless. I may overclock in the future, but for now I want good performance and compatibility out of the box.

1.) OCZ 2GB Dual Channel Platinum $239.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227210
notes:

Speed DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Cas Latency 2
Timing 2-3-2-5
Voltage 2.6V

2.) CORSAIR XMS 2GB Dual Channel $236.00:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145574
notes:

Speed DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Cas Latency 2
Timing 2-3-3-6
Voltage 2.75V

3.) mushkin eXtreme performance 2GB $225.00:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820146397
notes:

Speed DDR 500 (PC 4000)
Cas Latency 3
Timing 3-4-3-8
Voltage 2.8V


It seems the OCZ has the lowest timings (2-3-2-5 ) at DDR400.
The mushkin is DDR500 but has a Cas L of 3 (3-4-3-8 )

So heres the big question, should I choose a "slower" DDR400 with better timings, or the DDR500 with higher latencies? Which will perform better stock? Which OC's better? If you have tried any of these with A8N-SLI Premium, please let me know which worked/ didn't work. I'm really trying to avoid choosing the "best" kit, then not even getting it to POST
Thank you for any help or suggestions

[Motley]

Go for the Mushkin, I just got those for my new system, and they're running at 3,4,3,8 1T @ 255MHz. Real nice memory for the price!

[Cobalt]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Manufactory=8476&PropertyCodeValue=521%3A7965&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A8477&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A7862&PropertyCodeValue=525%3A8679&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&description=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=147&Submit=Property
Either of these two sets. The cheaper one has to be the best value CAS 2 2GB set out there and they OC pretty good as well.

[Rattle]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231021

these stix do 250 at 3-3-3-7 with 2.6 or 270 at 3-4-4-8 2.6volts

cant beat these, alot of peeps getting higher also on them.

Also if your willing to spend $170 on a board thats no better than one you can get for $125, then go all the way and get the ASUS 32SLI board.

[KartShifter]

Also if your willing to spend $170 on a board thats no better than one you can get for $125, then go all the way and get the ASUS 32SLI board.

I figured the extra 40 bucks is insurance against the NB fan failure, and it has an extra LAN if one fails. (and I've read that sometimes they do)

besides, the 32sli is pretty hard to find right now. Some places might have it, but they are over priced :shrug:

thanks for the replies

[rseven]

:welcome: to the Forum, KartShifter.
I second Rattles GSkill pick. It's very nice ram at a bargain price. Also, while your new rig looks very good, I suggest you go with a socket 939 opteron 146. You can find them cheaper than the Sandy 3700 and they generally overclock better. Good luck with whatever you get.

[KartShifter]

I second Rattles GSkill pick. It's very nice ram at a bargain price. Also, while your new rig looks very good, I suggest you go with a socket 939 opteron 146. You can find them cheaper than the Sandy 3700 and they generally overclock better. Good luck with whatever you get.

Thanks. The opteron route sounds interesting.. Are they all really easy to OC with the A8N-SLI premium? Most of them, some of them? I'm not familiar with the opteron stock specs, or how they compare to the 3700 sandiego. 1 MB L2 cache?

and the RAM list narrows...

$199 G SKILL F1-4000USU2-2GBHZ DDR500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231021

$225 Mushkin 991483 DDR500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820146397

and
$227 Corsair TWINX2048-4000PT DDR500
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85017-30

The Corsair site actually reccomends the TWINX2048-4000PT with A8N-SLI premium,

Motley said mushkin works in the new A32-SLI , correct?

Rattle and rseven, have you used the GSKILL in an A8N-SLI Premium?

Thanks for the help, and the :welcome:

[rseven]

The Opteron 144 is stock 9x200=1800
The Opteron 146 is stock 10x200=2000
The Opteron 148 is stock 11x200=2200
They all have the same 1mb cache as the San Diego
I have never used the GSkill at all. I'm going by their reputation and all of the raves they get around this forum, which are considerable.

[KartShifter]

The Opteron 144 is stock 9x200=1800
The Opteron 146 is stock 10x200=2000
The Opteron 148 is stock 11x200=2200


and what can they generally be pushed to?

[Sir. BOBSONATOR]

3ghz with the right cooling... ive seen a lot break 3ghz on air.