Original post:
Hello people. I'm building a s775 rig and looking to purchase top of the line RAM. I want a 4GB (2x2GB) RAM kit for my setup.
My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L (DDR2), and the processor will be a Core 2 Duo (not purchased atm). I plan on eventually overclocking.
I do my best to research things beforehand and make an informed decision. However, when it comes to RAM things are a little difficult. Normally I look at benchmarks and specs, but some memory modules have higher specs but those specs aren't fully utilized by a particular motherboard (I'll call this "compatibility issues"). So a lower spec RAM module may, in fact, peform better than a higher spec module due to compatibility issues. (reference: http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/mushkin-xp2-9200/7.html) Confusing eh?
In my search I started here: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=693934 and that gave me an idea of what ICs RAM manufacturers use. Most of the models listed there are older, 2x1GB kits that are outdated, so that's a concern. However, based on the information given, I was able to see that in the past at least, GSKILL uses the choicest chips, and also higher performance PCB. (reference:http://www.legitreviews.com/article/53/3/)
Ok, so that's a lot of DDR2 from the past, let me fast-foward to 2011. I'm searching Newegg for current 2x2GB DDR2 sticks. My main criteria are specs and compatibility. The highest spec DDR2 2x2 kit Newegg offers is GSkill Pi 1333. But a quick check on GSkill's website shows that my motherboard is NOT listed on the tested fully compatible, so I throw that option out. The next-highest rung on specs is DDR2, 1066 speed. Here the options are 3: Kingston HyperX, Crucial, and GSkill. All 3 manufacturers use Micron chips, but Kingston and Crucial don't have as rich a selection as GSkill, nor do they use the higher-quality PCB. Thus, my choice of superior RAM out of those 3 would be the Gskill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166. When I search GSkills website, it does confirm my motherboard, GA-EP45-UD3L, is tested fully compatible - BINGO, we have a winner!
Based on the criteria of specs and compatibility, it seems like the best choice on Newegg for RAM would be Gskill 1066. Now I'm looking for some help from some seasoned members who have more real-world overclocking experience than I do. In your esteemed opinion, is this the best choice of RAM for my system? Is my rational correct, or am I perhaps missing something?
Would appreciate all feedback. Thanks guys!
That was pretty dense. Sorry.
Can anybody recommend a 2x2 DDR2 RAM kit for a Gigabyte p45?
Hello people. I'm building a s775 rig and looking to purchase top of the line RAM. I want a 4GB (2x2GB) RAM kit for my setup.
My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L (DDR2), and the processor will be a Core 2 Duo (not purchased atm). I plan on eventually overclocking.
I do my best to research things beforehand and make an informed decision. However, when it comes to RAM things are a little difficult. Normally I look at benchmarks and specs, but some memory modules have higher specs but those specs aren't fully utilized by a particular motherboard (I'll call this "compatibility issues"). So a lower spec RAM module may, in fact, peform better than a higher spec module due to compatibility issues. (reference: http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/mushkin-xp2-9200/7.html) Confusing eh?
In my search I started here: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=693934 and that gave me an idea of what ICs RAM manufacturers use. Most of the models listed there are older, 2x1GB kits that are outdated, so that's a concern. However, based on the information given, I was able to see that in the past at least, GSKILL uses the choicest chips, and also higher performance PCB. (reference:http://www.legitreviews.com/article/53/3/)
Ok, so that's a lot of DDR2 from the past, let me fast-foward to 2011. I'm searching Newegg for current 2x2GB DDR2 sticks. My main criteria are specs and compatibility. The highest spec DDR2 2x2 kit Newegg offers is GSkill Pi 1333. But a quick check on GSkill's website shows that my motherboard is NOT listed on the tested fully compatible, so I throw that option out. The next-highest rung on specs is DDR2, 1066 speed. Here the options are 3: Kingston HyperX, Crucial, and GSkill. All 3 manufacturers use Micron chips, but Kingston and Crucial don't have as rich a selection as GSkill, nor do they use the higher-quality PCB. Thus, my choice of superior RAM out of those 3 would be the Gskill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166. When I search GSkills website, it does confirm my motherboard, GA-EP45-UD3L, is tested fully compatible - BINGO, we have a winner!
Based on the criteria of specs and compatibility, it seems like the best choice on Newegg for RAM would be Gskill 1066. Now I'm looking for some help from some seasoned members who have more real-world overclocking experience than I do. In your esteemed opinion, is this the best choice of RAM for my system? Is my rational correct, or am I perhaps missing something?
Would appreciate all feedback. Thanks guys!
That was pretty dense. Sorry.
Can anybody recommend a 2x2 DDR2 RAM kit for a Gigabyte p45?
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