Need Some RAM Advice for Fatal1ty AN8

[Clevor]

Originally Posted by Sierra

300 with what secondary timings? I can do 300 at 2.5-3-3-6 with loose secondary timings, but I prefer to run at 297 with very tight secondary timings.

300 is just a number. It doesn't really mean anything. My LE will go above that, but what's the point if I have to use loose timings?

3D stable means nothing to me. If I were into gaming or still doing 3D benching, it would. Everyone has his or her definition of stability. Some insist on running 24 hours of Prime95. I'm not that fanatical.

Well 3D stable is very difficult with TCCD at high HTT like 285-300+ at 2.5-3-3-6, unlike UTT/BH-5 where it's pretty easy at 260-270, 2-2-2- even with 11x multis. Stuff like Five-Mark. The CPU tests in 3DMark2005 in particular, where they kick out. Doing Memtest clean at 300, 2.5-3-3-6 with TCCD or 270, 2-2-2- with UTT can mean nothing, as I've seen rigs not only fail 3D but not even boot Windows.

2.5-4-3-6 is pretty easy with a lot of sticks.

As far as secondary timings, I imagine you mean the READ/WRITE delays (or whatever), the usual 2-2-1-2 stuff with UTT. I find clearing each 3DMark you may have to play with them.

I can run 300, 2.5-3-3-6 at 2-2-1-2 Memtest clean, but that doesn't mean all Five-Marks will pass. On my PQI, I can run 2-2-2-2 and on my Vitesta, 3-2-2-3, 3D stable and of course Memtest clean. On the Vitesta, 3DMark2005 will pass at 2-2-2-2.

And of course it helps to have a good mem controller like on an FX-55.

[Clevor]

Now the best set of LEs I tried will do 301, 2.5-3-3-6 Memtest clean, however when I boot Windows it only passes Sandra mem bench 50% of the time, and no way it will even get by Aquamark.

Sure, I'd like to get a set of TCCD that will do 300, 2.5-3-3-6 Memtest clean, Five-Mark stable, and pass 32M and 24 hrs of Prime. But if you look at Bacchus's 32M challenge at Extreme with TCCD, nobody has showed up much above 275-285. For me, 3D and 1M stable is good enough and it's hard enough managing that .

[Sierra_abx]

I sold my FX-55, by the way. I'm running a 3700+ San Diego on one rig and a 3500+ Venice on another. Neither chip is anything special. Also, I'm not saying G.Skill LE is the best TCCD on the market. But it's very easy RAM to work with. I can run SuperPi 32M at 293 with 2.5-3-3-6 and very tight timings and around 309 with 2.5-4-3-7.

[whoster69]

Originally Posted by Sierra

I sold my FX-55, by the way. I'm running a 3700+ San Diego on one rig and a 3500+ Venice on another. Neither chip is anything special. Also, I'm not saying G.Skill LE is the best TCCD on the market. But it's very easy RAM to work with. I can run SuperPi 32M at 293 with 2.5-3-3-6 and very tight timings and around 309 with 2.5-4-3-7.

Have you played around with the 4000+ San Diego? I'm VERY curious about that one!

[Sierra_abx]

Originally Posted by whoster69

Have you played around with the 4000+ San Diego? I'm VERY curious about that one!

No. But you can save money with 3700+ which overclocks just as well. The only thing the 4000+ has that the 3700+ doesn't is an extra multiplier (12).

[whoster69]

Originally Posted by Sierra

No. But you can save money with 3700+ which overclocks just as well. The only thing the 4000+ has that the 3700+ doesn't is an extra multiplier (12).

That's good to know.

Thanks for the info Sierra.