Maximum PC

Hey guys,

I'm putting together a system and was wondering if I would see a difference in overclocking LOW LATENCY PC3200 vs. VALUE PC4000.

From current reviews, looks like I'll be getting the MSI Neo4 SLI board w/ an A64 3200+.

This will be my first attempt at overclocking, I've read many guides including the following:

http://tinyurl.com/48xlz

This guide states that if I get higher speed RAM, I can simply raise the FSB until it matches. This way I avoid dealing with memory timings and also means I save a few bucks on RAM:

Example:

http://tinyurl.com/6l3vm $82 vs. http://tinyurl.com/4rfg3 $115

My goal is to save some money on the RAM. Two sticks @ $82 vs. $115 is about $66, which can go towards some other component.

I'm just wondering if I'll get the same OC results from using this cheap PC4000 ram than I would from using expensive PC3200.

TIA

The Crucial Ballistix will give you tighter timings for more overclocking potential. Also the tighter timings will give you better results at each FSB stage. You obviously will pay for those tighter timings though. In the end, it comes down to what you want to do. Will you ever notice the difference? If you're like a lot of use, that doesn't matter... what matters is the benchmarks say we got a few numbers higher.

You have to ask yourself, "is my obsession for the best worth the extra money?" Most of us here in Overclocker's Corner will say "Well yes! DUH!". Anyways why aren't you getting Dual-Channel?! I see the links point to only a single stick of 512MB. Hope that helps!

In conclusion, yes, there is a difference in overclocking value ram and performance ram. Is it worth it? That is up to you.

Arquero

Thanks Beomagi for the very useful report. Unfortunately, the PC4000 ram I was looking at has a CAS of 3.0, which the reviewer didnt have any of to use in the comparison. But it looks like, there won't be too much difference.

As you guys mentioned, I think it's best to invest in quality RAM. After noticing that it is cheaper to get a 512x2 dual kit, I feel that's the way to go.

thanks for the help