Please help with DDR3 SDRAM descision

M

Minsc

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Location
Georgia, USA
Hi Hardware Gurus,

I need some advice on choosing a suitable DDR3 memory kit for my new PC. The last PC I built was about 7 years ago so I am VERY rusty. My biggest headache is choosing suitable DDR3 SDRAM for my budget.

Already bought -
Intel Core i7-930 CPU
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R motherboard

I’m looking at the following DDR3 triple channel kits:

1. Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1333C9 3x2GB DDR3-1333 1.5v CL9
2. Transcend High-Performance TS1333KLU-6GK 3x2GB DDR3-1333 1.5v CL9
3. Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1333C7 3x2GB DDR3-1333 1.65v CL7
4. Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1600C9 3x2GB DDR3-1600 1.65v CL9

The TR3X6G1333C7 kit strangely does not support XMP according to the Corsair official website. Is this is something I should be concerned about?

I assume they will all run at 1333 CL9 1.5v on standard settings? (Please correct me here if I'm wrong), so will the 1333 CL9 kits theoretically run more stable under standard settings than the 1333 CL7 or 1600 CL9 kits?

I do not want to overclock anytime soon but in case I do sometime in the future, will the 1600 CL9 kit be better suited for oveclocking than the 1333 CL7 kit? (because it supports XMP?)

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance :)
 
I would go for these: http://www.wootware.co.za/g-skill-f3-16000cl9t-6gbtd-3x2gb-ddr3-2000-trident-memory-retail.html but they outa stock :(
or these http://www.wootware.co.za/ocz-platinum-series-3x2gb-ddr3-1333-desktop-memory-retail.html but no XMP, so might be a hassle to set up.

I see there is a version of the 1600CL7 http://www.wootware.co.za/corsair-xms3-xmp-3x2gb-ddr3-1600-cl7-desktop-memory-retail.html that supports XMP.. Maybe a little pricey?

I actually doubt you will see a difference beside in benchmarks. So option 1 is perfectly fine. If you going to OC a 1600 set would be better

EDIT: In order to run at the XMP specifications for 1600 and 2000 your BLCK will be OCd but your CPU multiplier reduced, inorder to keep your CPU round about the original clocks. (usually is a little higher)
So if you do intend to OC the XMP profiles can be very nice, as all you have to do is increase your CPU multiplier and you set. No need to worry about the memory.

Most Mobo's allow you to auto set the memory frequency, which usually lets it run at the lowest MHz possible when not using an XMP profile.
 
Last edited:
Budget left is about R1800 so the 1600 CL7 kit is out of my reach :(

Thanks for that quick reply & links :)

The Corsair official website does not mention that XMP is supported for the TR3X6G1333C7 kit but all the SA online stores I've looked at so far mentions that XMP is supported :confused:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X