I am working on a new build:
Mobo: DFI LanParty Dk P35-T2RS; Processor: Intel E8400 Wolfdale LGA775 @ 3.0 GHz; Antec 900 Case; Samsung SATA Internal HDs (2@500GBs each); Video card: Nvidea 8500GT; PSU: Corsair 620HX; Seagate External USB HDs (2@250GBs each); OS: Windows XP SP2 Home; DVD/CD Burners: I will have two but still undecided; Sound Card: Still undecided; RAM: I want 2x2GBs but undecided. OS: Windows XP SP2.
So - question is: Recommendations for best RAM for this board. Appreciate any suggestions I can get - especially from anyone with the same board. Especially as a newbie I hope to get RAM that works best with this board because it has its likes and dislikes. I've been told that latency, timing, and voltage are critical with this board.
Recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks.......Bob
Full Version: Recommendations For Ram For Dfi Mobo
Do you plan on overclocking or keeping everything at stock settings?
Do you have a budget?
How much RAM do you want to run? 2X1gb? 2X2gb? 4X1gb?
Do you have a budget?
How much RAM do you want to run? 2X1gb? 2X2gb? 4X1gb?
what does dfi reccomend? sigle sided or double sided ram? I know that some dfi boards are picky about stuff like that.
they like good ram in general, no kingston crap
ocz, geil, mushkin, patriot, corsair dfi likes those
ocz, geil, mushkin, patriot, corsair dfi likes those
G.Skill's ran extremely well in my DFI rigs too.
QUOTE (wevsspot @ Jun 11 2008, 06:08 PM) 
Do you plan on overclocking or keeping everything at stock settings?
Do you have a budget?
How much RAM do you want to run? 2X1gb? 2X2gb? 4X1gb?
Do you have a budget?
How much RAM do you want to run? 2X1gb? 2X2gb? 4X1gb?
Thanks for your reply.
1. I'm a rookie at this stuff so I plan to stick with stock settings for now.
2. I sort of have a budget but if I get recommendations from others to go with a certain brand of memory I would probably do
it even if more expensive.
3. I want 2x2 GB sticks. I know the mobo won't recognize 4 GBs but it will give me at least 3 gbs.
Bob
QUOTE (philbrown23 @ Jun 11 2008, 08:03 PM)
what does dfi reccomend? sigle sided or double sided ram? I know that some dfi boards are picky about stuff like that.
Thanks for your reply.
1. DFI recommends double-sided ram for G.Skill, Corsair, OCZ, and Mushkin.
I know DFI boards are picky and I'm looking for the ram that would be most compatible. I've been told to look at CAS
Latency 4 and 800MHz DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Bob
QUOTE (wevsspot @ Jun 12 2008, 05:08 PM)
G.Skill's ran extremely well in my DFI rigs too.
Thanks for your reply. Have you used it in the DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS and if so, what did you use?
For instance, I've seen: G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) 240 Pin SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2-6400) Dual Channel Kit with CAS Latency 4 and
Timing 4-4-4-12 and 2.0v-2.1v. The model is F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK but that model is not listed on the DFI preference sheet so I don't have a clue if it is compatible.
What is your opinion/recommendation?
Bob
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)
$85 after rebate
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$86 after rebate
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$70,99 after rebate
OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$65,99 after rebate
OCZ ReaperX HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)
$79.99 after rebate
plenty of choices
. the OCZ reaperX are my personal favorite, but they have those big coolers that can sometimes be a problem
$85 after rebate
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$86 after rebate
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$70,99 after rebate
OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$65,99 after rebate
OCZ ReaperX HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)
$79.99 after rebate
plenty of choices
. the OCZ reaperX are my personal favorite, but they have those big coolers that can sometimes be a problemQUOTE (Repr @ Jun 13 2008, 02:22 AM)
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)
$85 after rebate
$85 after rebate
I have this set and really like them.
Reaper put together a good list for you.
The only one I would strike out is the first kit of G.Skill DDR2 1000
Not that it isn't good RAM at a great price, but primarily because performance is fairly poor if you plan on staying at stock clocks. With primary timings of 5-5-5-15, bandwidth is low and latency is high. Now if you you had planned on overclocking then that G.Skill would have been a great kit. I'm speaking from experience here because I am currently testing that exact kit against a set of G.Skill DDR2 800 HZ's.
Since you are planning on staying at stock clocks, I'd get a 2X2gb kit that offers 4-4-4-12 timings at DDR2 800 speeds.
The only one I would strike out is the first kit of G.Skill DDR2 1000
Not that it isn't good RAM at a great price, but primarily because performance is fairly poor if you plan on staying at stock clocks. With primary timings of 5-5-5-15, bandwidth is low and latency is high. Now if you you had planned on overclocking then that G.Skill would have been a great kit. I'm speaking from experience here because I am currently testing that exact kit against a set of G.Skill DDR2 800 HZ's.
Since you are planning on staying at stock clocks, I'd get a 2X2gb kit that offers 4-4-4-12 timings at DDR2 800 speeds.
QUOTE (wevsspot @ Jun 13 2008, 11:50 AM)
Reaper put together a good list for you.
The only one I would strike out is the first kit of G.Skill DDR2 1000
Not that it isn't good RAM at a great price, but primarily because performance is fairly poor if you plan on staying at stock clocks. With primary timings of 5-5-5-15, bandwidth is low and latency is high. Now if you you had planned on overclocking then that G.Skill would have been a great kit. I'm speaking from experience here because I am currently testing that exact kit against a set of G.Skill DDR2 800 HZ's.
Since you are planning on staying at stock clocks, I'd get a 2X2gb kit that offers 4-4-4-12 timings at DDR2 800 speeds.
The only one I would strike out is the first kit of G.Skill DDR2 1000
Not that it isn't good RAM at a great price, but primarily because performance is fairly poor if you plan on staying at stock clocks. With primary timings of 5-5-5-15, bandwidth is low and latency is high. Now if you you had planned on overclocking then that G.Skill would have been a great kit. I'm speaking from experience here because I am currently testing that exact kit against a set of G.Skill DDR2 800 HZ's.
Since you are planning on staying at stock clocks, I'd get a 2X2gb kit that offers 4-4-4-12 timings at DDR2 800 speeds.
Wevsspot,
Good point, but I seem to remember you can get this set to run at 4-4-4-12 timings. Maybe I'm just dreaming. I've not tried on my set yet as I do plan on overclocking. Just to hot here in TX right now.
Are you planning on posting a review somewhere? I'd really like to see it if you do.
You can tighten the timings to 4-4-4-12 and run this kit at DDR2 800 speeds, but my testing at that speed was a whole bunch less than stellar.
I was getting memory bandwidth of 7481 (as reported by Everest Ultimate Ed) and latency of 63.3ns (again as reported by EUE).
This particular kit of RAM just really seems to respond well to high FSB.
Once you get your FSB up to 425 and above the G.Skill BPQ's really start to stretch their wings.
No, I don't plan on doing a review on the RAM because I supposedly have a board en-route that I'm going to review. Based on my findings and own experience I still have to recommend trying to find a kit that has Micron IC's with timings of 4-4-4-12 and rated at DDR2 800.
Now, back to you Malibu (Bob),
Just because DFI doesn't list the RAM on their compatibility chart doesn't mean the RAM won't work. Primarily it just means that DFI hasn't tested that particular kit of RAM on that specific board. Keep in mind with the literally hundreds of different board/ram/cpu combinations that are possible on any given platform, it's just impossible for the hardware mfg. to test every conceivable combination of components. I never hesitate to purchase RAM that isn't shown on a "compatibility" or "approved" list as long as the RAM is coming from one of my favorite makers,
OCZ
Corsair
G.Skill
Mushkin
In no particular order or preference. I can always send it back if it don't work.
I was getting memory bandwidth of 7481 (as reported by Everest Ultimate Ed) and latency of 63.3ns (again as reported by EUE).
This particular kit of RAM just really seems to respond well to high FSB.
Once you get your FSB up to 425 and above the G.Skill BPQ's really start to stretch their wings.
No, I don't plan on doing a review on the RAM because I supposedly have a board en-route that I'm going to review. Based on my findings and own experience I still have to recommend trying to find a kit that has Micron IC's with timings of 4-4-4-12 and rated at DDR2 800.
Now, back to you Malibu (Bob),
Just because DFI doesn't list the RAM on their compatibility chart doesn't mean the RAM won't work. Primarily it just means that DFI hasn't tested that particular kit of RAM on that specific board. Keep in mind with the literally hundreds of different board/ram/cpu combinations that are possible on any given platform, it's just impossible for the hardware mfg. to test every conceivable combination of components. I never hesitate to purchase RAM that isn't shown on a "compatibility" or "approved" list as long as the RAM is coming from one of my favorite makers,
OCZ
Corsair
G.Skill
Mushkin
In no particular order or preference. I can always send it back if it don't work.
QUOTE (wevsspot @ Jun 13 2008, 11:50 AM)
Reaper put together a good list for you.
The only one I would strike out is the first kit of G.Skill DDR2 1000
Not that it isn't good RAM at a great price, but primarily because performance is fairly poor if you plan on staying at stock clocks. With primary timings of 5-5-5-15, bandwidth is low and latency is high. Now if you you had planned on overclocking then that G.Skill would have been a great kit. I'm speaking from experience here because I am currently testing that exact kit against a set of G.Skill DDR2 800 HZ's.
Since you are planning on staying at stock clocks, I'd get a 2X2gb kit that offers 4-4-4-12 timings at DDR2 800 speeds.
The only one I would strike out is the first kit of G.Skill DDR2 1000
Not that it isn't good RAM at a great price, but primarily because performance is fairly poor if you plan on staying at stock clocks. With primary timings of 5-5-5-15, bandwidth is low and latency is high. Now if you you had planned on overclocking then that G.Skill would have been a great kit. I'm speaking from experience here because I am currently testing that exact kit against a set of G.Skill DDR2 800 HZ's.
Since you are planning on staying at stock clocks, I'd get a 2X2gb kit that offers 4-4-4-12 timings at DDR2 800 speeds.
Wevsspot,
Thanks for the great info and thanks to Repr as well for his list. I'm going to assume that since y'all keep coming back to OCZ, Corsair, G.Skill, and Mushkin, you must feel that one brand is as good as the next for this board. And I get agreement on the timings as well. So, I'll just look at these brands again and then make a choice. You guys are all a great help and I surely appreciate you taking the time to deal with a noob like me. Thanks again........................Bob
wrong board, ram related should go in the Processor motherboard and memory board, kinda obvious 
anyways to the user that said Kingston is crap, not entirely they are supported by all motherboards (what i mean by that is that some mobos dont go good with certain brands like crucial, g.skill ect, almost every motherboard manufacture takes Kingston like butter)
There hyperx series are ok for mild overclock, just a though to remember, anyways, I always go for Cruciall, or Muskin top performers with Micron D9's
and whats with the 8500 video card, thats a horrible choice for a gamign computer go with a 8800gt or if your a on tight budget buy the 9600gt.
anyways to the user that said Kingston is crap, not entirely they are supported by all motherboards (what i mean by that is that some mobos dont go good with certain brands like crucial, g.skill ect, almost every motherboard manufacture takes Kingston like butter)
There hyperx series are ok for mild overclock, just a though to remember, anyways, I always go for Cruciall, or Muskin top performers with Micron D9's
and whats with the 8500 video card, thats a horrible choice for a gamign computer go with a 8800gt or if your a on tight budget buy the 9600gt.
QUOTE (damian @ Jun 14 2008, 09:43 AM)
and whats with the 8500 video card, thats a horrible choice for a gamign computer go with a 8800gt or if your a on tight budget buy the 9600gt.
cut back on the case if need's be, the 900 has poor cable management.QUOTE (wevsspot @ Jun 13 2008, 04:58 PM)
You can tighten the timings to 4-4-4-12 and run this kit at DDR2 800 speeds, but my testing at that speed was a whole bunch less than stellar.
I was getting memory bandwidth of 7481 (as reported by Everest Ultimate Ed) and latency of 63.3ns (again as reported by EUE).
This particular kit of RAM just really seems to respond well to high FSB.
Once you get your FSB up to 425 and above the G.Skill BPQ's really start to stretch their wings.
No, I don't plan on doing a review on the RAM because I supposedly have a board en-route that I'm going to review. Based on my findings and own experience I still have to recommend trying to find a kit that has Micron IC's with timings of 4-4-4-12 and rated at DDR2 800.
I was getting memory bandwidth of 7481 (as reported by Everest Ultimate Ed) and latency of 63.3ns (again as reported by EUE).
This particular kit of RAM just really seems to respond well to high FSB.
Once you get your FSB up to 425 and above the G.Skill BPQ's really start to stretch their wings.
No, I don't plan on doing a review on the RAM because I supposedly have a board en-route that I'm going to review. Based on my findings and own experience I still have to recommend trying to find a kit that has Micron IC's with timings of 4-4-4-12 and rated at DDR2 800.
Thanks for the info! For those interested there is a nice thread here on overclocking this ram:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=163668
Yep,
that is a very good thread, very long but it has tons of useful information spread throughout.
his findings pretty much mirror mine to some extent.
for the price you really can't beat that kit, but then again I would recommend it only if you plan on pushing it.
otherwise you're still better off with a good DDR2 800 kit with tight timings.
that is a very good thread, very long but it has tons of useful information spread throughout.
his findings pretty much mirror mine to some extent.
for the price you really can't beat that kit, but then again I would recommend it only if you plan on pushing it.
otherwise you're still better off with a good DDR2 800 kit with tight timings.
QUOTE (Comp Dude2 @ Jun 14 2008, 04:43 AM)
cut back on the case if need's be, the 900 has poor cable management.Thanks for your input. Not going with the 8500 video card. I must have fat-fingered the wrong number.
Bob
QUOTE (malibu72 @ Jun 14 2008, 02:33 AM)
Wevsspot,
Thanks for the great info and thanks to Repr as well for his list. I'm going to assume that since y'all keep coming back to OCZ, Corsair, G.Skill, and Mushkin, you must feel that one brand is as good as the next for this board. And I get agreement on the timings as well. So, I'll just look at these brands again and then make a choice. You guys are all a great help and I surely appreciate you taking the time to deal with a noob like me. Thanks again........................Bob
Thanks for the great info and thanks to Repr as well for his list. I'm going to assume that since y'all keep coming back to OCZ, Corsair, G.Skill, and Mushkin, you must feel that one brand is as good as the next for this board. And I get agreement on the timings as well. So, I'll just look at these brands again and then make a choice. You guys are all a great help and I surely appreciate you taking the time to deal with a noob like me. Thanks again........................Bob
Wevsspot,
I've been checking out repr's list and they are typically with Cas Latency 5 and Timings 5-5-5- .
So - I've found the following brands. All have Cas Latency 4, all are DDR2 800, and all are 2x2GBs.
1. G.Skill (Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBK. Timing: 4-4-4-12. Voltage: 2.0v-2.1v
2. Corsair XMS2 DHX4GB(Model Twin2x4096-6400C4DHX. Timing: 4-4-4-12. Voltage: 2.1v
3. OCZ Reaper HPC Edition (Model OCZ2RPR800 C44GK). Cas Latency 4. Timing: 4-4-4-15. Voltage: 2.1v
I would appreciate your opinion as to which would be the best choice. If it was you, is there one brand you would choose over the others? The reapers seem to have the best reviews and I've been told that the heat spreaders shouldn't be a problem concerning installation with my board (DFI LanParty P35-T2RS.
Thanks................Bob
Malibu,
Without doing some extensive research to confirm the following statement I cannot guarantee that it is 100% accurate, but I'll bet it is.
All three of the RAM kits you've listed probably have the same exact memory IC's onboard the PCB. I'm making that statement based on rated speed, timings and recommended voltages.
With that being said, I wouldn't hesitate to spend my money on any of the three kits that you've listed because I've purchased good memory from each of the three you've noted.
With everything else being equal, I think I'd spring for the OCZ kit;
1. for the cool heat spreaders
2. for outstanding customer support
3. for great user reviews
Again though, you wouldn't go wrong with any of the three kits. It may just come down to pricing and brand loyalty (if you have any).
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Without doing some extensive research to confirm the following statement I cannot guarantee that it is 100% accurate, but I'll bet it is.
All three of the RAM kits you've listed probably have the same exact memory IC's onboard the PCB. I'm making that statement based on rated speed, timings and recommended voltages.
With that being said, I wouldn't hesitate to spend my money on any of the three kits that you've listed because I've purchased good memory from each of the three you've noted.
With everything else being equal, I think I'd spring for the OCZ kit;
1. for the cool heat spreaders
2. for outstanding customer support
3. for great user reviews
Again though, you wouldn't go wrong with any of the three kits. It may just come down to pricing and brand loyalty (if you have any).
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
QUOTE (wevsspot @ Jun 15 2008, 01:21 PM)
Malibu,
Without doing some extensive research to confirm the following statement I cannot guarantee that it is 100% accurate, but I'll bet it is.
All three of the RAM kits you've listed probably have the same exact memory IC's onboard the PCB. I'm making that statement based on rated speed, timings and recommended voltages.
With that being said, I wouldn't hesitate to spend my money on any of the three kits that you've listed because I've purchased good memory from each of the three you've noted.
With everything else being equal, I think I'd spring for the OCZ kit;
1. for the cool heat spreaders
2. for outstanding customer support
3. for great user reviews
Again though, you wouldn't go wrong with any of the three kits. It may just come down to pricing and brand loyalty (if you have any).
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Without doing some extensive research to confirm the following statement I cannot guarantee that it is 100% accurate, but I'll bet it is.
All three of the RAM kits you've listed probably have the same exact memory IC's onboard the PCB. I'm making that statement based on rated speed, timings and recommended voltages.
With that being said, I wouldn't hesitate to spend my money on any of the three kits that you've listed because I've purchased good memory from each of the three you've noted.
With everything else being equal, I think I'd spring for the OCZ kit;
1. for the cool heat spreaders
2. for outstanding customer support
3. for great user reviews
Again though, you wouldn't go wrong with any of the three kits. It may just come down to pricing and brand loyalty (if you have any).
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Wevsspot:
Thanks for your reply. I have an additional question for you regarding timing for the OCZ kit. The timing is 4-4-4-15 whereas all the others specify 4-4-4-12. Can I assume that you see no problem with that?
Thanks.............Bob
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