Help me understand DDR3 RAM and right choice for me

[pat767]

Hello everyone...

Since I picked it up cheap, I'm getting my EVGA X58 today ... but I still haven't bought the RAM or the CPU yet. Anyone forecasting a pricedrop on either?

Also, I'm gonna sell my E8400 + 780i + 8 gb OCZ nvidia SLI DDR2-800 soon, while I can still get some cash out of it. I've learned by experience that you have to get rid of older hardware while it's still in demand and the performance is still there. Even if youu lose a bit on it, it helps refinance newer hardware.

However, the more technology advances and the more I get older, the less I understand about all of it...

With an i7 920, which kind of DDR3 do I need? 1600, 1833, 2000? How do you calculate it, in order to get the right cpu/ram ratio when overclocking?

Right now, I have my E8400 clocked at 3.6 which is perfect ratio for my RAM @ 800 (without overclocking RAM)... FSB 400 * 9 = 3600 (CPU) and 400 * 2 = 800 (RAM).

Does triple channel RAM work in the same way?

I love the new Dominator GT's that Corsair just released. They're obviously too expensive for me right now. What would be a cheap alternative in the meantime?

Thanks for all your help and tips.

[Jake_HT]

The G.Skill 6GB 1600MHz kit is just about the cheapest 1600MHz DDR3 as far as I know... I picked it up, it's good stuff! Low voltage. Keep in mind with the i7, you need ram that is 1.65v or less. (I don't think any 2000MHz RAM meets that spec... correct me if I'm wrong)

I got it for $200 from NCIX, I think it's $210 now though?

Oh and this! Nice price here.

Newegg.ca - mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Newegg.ca - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

[Squeetard]

I'm new to the i7 x58 platform also. Had my evga/i7 920 for a week now, still tweaking. Way more to tweak/understand than previous chipsets. check out this article:

Ultimate Core i7 Overclocking Guide -- We Push Nehalem to its Limits | Maximum PC

[Squeetard]

Also, the i7 is just not memory bandwidth bottlenecked. I've seen articles that show going from 1333 to 1600 or 2000 does up the memory bandwidth scores but does little to improve real world benchmarks.

[pat767]

Originally Posted by Jake_HT

I don't think any 2000MHz RAM meets that spec... correct me if I'm wrong

http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/TR3X6G2000C7GTF.pdf

[Jake_HT]

Originally Posted by pat767

http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/TR3X6G2000C7GTF.pdf

Nice! I don't even want to know how expensive that is

[pat767]

Originally Posted by Jake_HT

Nice! I don't even want to know how expensive that is

I'll tell ya anyway .... $479.99 USD and ONLY available at the Corsair Performance Store online.

But they would look good in the new, soon-to-come-out, EVGA X58 classified.

[NightRain]

I'm actually using OCZ XMP 1333MHz PC10666 with my i7 920. It runs at 1333MHz with 7-7-7-20 timings and 1.6V. It is now $172 at Newegg.ca, $60 cheaper than I paid a month ago.
Newegg.ca - OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

BTW, I run my CPU at BCLK 190 and multipler is at 20 so 3.8GHz flawlessly with this RAM and 8-8-8-24 timings and have pushed it to 3.9GHz too, all with stock cooling, with CPU at 1.25V and RAM at 1.6V. I bought 1333MHz because I read some inital reports of some people having issues running 1600MHz with 6 DIMMS on the i7 X58 motherboards. Since then I've proven that this is not an issue with the Asus P6T Deluxe and BIOS V 1102. So I kind of wish I went with the 1600MHz but since I really couldn't push my CPU much more I'm still pretty happy.

If you'd like the 1600MHz it is $204 now, about $95 cheaper than 1 month ago. Newegg.ca - OCZ XMP Ready Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

It seems like I can set the RAM to 1523MHz and maintain 7-7-7-20 timings but at 1600MHz I need to run 8-8-8-24 which is still great for 1333MHz RAM.

[Chilly]

Originally Posted by pat767

I'll tell ya anyway .... $479.99 USD and ONLY available at the Corsair Performance Store online.

But they would look good in the new, soon-to-come-out, EVGA X58 classified.

Actually its $579.99, the $479.99 kit is the 1866MHz kit, not the 2000MHz kit.

If you don't need 6GB and are are good with 3GB than the 2000MHz 3GB kits only $299.99. I can't afford it either way.