2x2GB or 4x1GB?

[Tullphan]

Currently running Vista 64bit & have 2x1GB of Corsair XMS2 ram (DDR2-800 Cas 4).
I'd like to up to 4GB, but dunno if I should ditch what I got & go with 2x2GB of similar stuff or just get another 2x1GB of the same stuff I got now.
Running a Q6700 on DFI UT P35 if that matters.

 

[DSF]

Since you've already got the RAM, may as well just go 4x1 unless you're trying for the best overclock you can get.

Since you have Vista64, you could just get 2x2GB anyway and have 6GB if you wanted to.

 

[Tullphan]

Currently i'm testing my Q6700 @ 3GHz on air (HDT-S1283).
I doubt i'll get over 333MHz for my 10X multiplier (currently 333 x 9).
How would 4x1GB affect my overclock?
Would 2x1GB + 2x2GB affect it just as well?

 

[BerlinCB]

From the stuff I've read in the forums here it is harder to get 4 sticks to behave in an overclock than 2 sticks. It also seems to have an affect on the timings. I think I also remember n7 saying it stresses the northbridge more, but I could be remembering wrong.

I do know I've read most folks prefer 2 sticks instead of 4.

Perhaps n7 can comment, he seems to know quite a bit about this specific topic.

 

[taltamir]

get 2x2GB and sell your 2x1gb on ebay... or buy an identical pair of what you have right now. or get 2x2 for a total of 6gb.

 

[n7]

If you run Vista x64, i'd say actually get another 2x2 GB for 6 GB

If you want to keep things easy, 2x2 GB is the way to go if you don't mind selling your existing kit.

You can certainly try 4x1 GB, & if you aren't OCing the RAM (just doing 1:1, etc.), you'll likely be fine.

In general though, i always recommend avoiding 4 DIMMs if possible...life is easier that way.

 

[Tullphan]

I guess I need to find out how to set my ram to do 1:1 on this UT P35. Of the option I have, I currently have it set to 266/667.

 

[n7]

333/667.

But keep it 266/667 if it's stable by all means.

Higher is better; no need to clock lower if it's doing fine where it is.

 

[Tullphan]

It's stable (so far) @ 266/667...4-4-4-12 @ 2.1V. CPU @ 10x333 @ slightly higher than stock volts.

 

[n7]

Well, that's DDR2-833 4-4-4 by my math.

I personally would be trying for much higher RAM speeds, but obviously, work on the CPU first.

You will likely do at least 3.5 GH depending on how much voltage you feed it.

What's VID on your Q6700?

Mine's 1.2875v

I can run ~ 3.5 GHz 1.4v, or 3.6 GHz if i was willing to put a lot more vcore into it.

You should be able to do over DDR2-1000 with most RAM if you loosen to 5-5-5 btw, though hard to say with that Corsair; i dunno which revision yours is.

 

[Tullphan]

I'll have to check on the VID. I thought I was running stable until I ran Prime95...hehehe. I dropped from 10x333 to 8x400, but left cpu voltage ~1.2875. I may have to bump it up some.
I realize that one must take Newegg reviews with a grain of salt, but I was interested in purchasing this set when I read "termie's" post about not being compatible with his older XMS DDR2-800 set (which is what I have now...the C4 variety).
Ever heard of anything like that?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
Currently running Vista 64bit & have 2x1GB of Corsair XMS2 ram (DDR2-800 Cas 4).
I'd like to up to 4GB, but dunno if I should ditch what I got & go with 2x2GB of similar stuff or just get another 2x1GB of the same stuff I got now.
Running a Q6700 on DFI UT P35 if that matters.

I didn't read the entire thread.

I would get 2x2gb and if that works out better with overclocking or just as good, sell off the 2x1 sticks to get some of your $$$ back.

 

[clarkey01]

Originally posted by: DSF
Since you've already got the RAM, may as well just go 4x1 unless you're trying for the best overclock you can get.

Since you have Vista64, you could just get 2x2GB anyway and have 6GB if you wanted to.

Yeah, even with 4x1GB sticks I still hit 3ghz easy , but it will affect the OC.

 

[Tullphan]

Now i'm wondering, if I do get me a set of 2x2gb, if I should go with the DDR2-800 or 1000...& if I should go w/the CAS4 or 5.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
Now i'm wondering, if I do get me a set of 2x2gb, if I should go with the DDR2-800 or 1000...& if I should go w/the CAS4 or 5.

With a Q6700 DDR2-800 will take you pretty much to the chip's limit. I wouldn't worry too much about low latency RAM, especially if it requires excessive voltage. If you can get it without extra expense though, then there's no reason not to. (For example, there's a very affordable Mushkin DDR2-800 kit on Newegg that does 5-4-4-12 at 1.8V.)

 

[Tullphan]

I assume, quality-wise, that Mushkin is up there with Corsair, Kingston & G.Skill?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Yes, definitely.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
I assume, quality-wise, that Mushkin is up there with Corsair, Kingston & G.Skill?

Absolutely! & they are made in the USA