If I build it, will it run?

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by unknown555525

My point is that I would easily suggest a high end 4GB PC6400 kit that costs around $99 than a PC12800 kit that costs $400. And I'm also willing to bet that in both synthetic, and real benchmarks, the DDR2 kit will beat the DDR3 kit clocked twice as fast due to the high latencies of most DDR3 kits.

Infact, there are even numerous review sites that pit DDR2 memory with latecies of 4-4-4-12 in 800MHz, that actually gets around 10% faster than DDR3 memory at 1333Mhz that runs higher latecies. In every benchmark including video decoding to gaming, and synthetic benchmarks.

So to sum it up, DDR3 ain't worth it yet.

[StevieRay]

I do have some freedom with my budget but do not want to go to 3k land. Tempting, but not needed. If I need to go up a couple of hundred to have a tighter system that will keep chugging for the next 3 years...all is good.

From what I am seeing, I can run most of what I want in my range. Hardest decisions are now x38 v. x48. DDR2 v. DDR3.

ZZF had them for $279 v. $325...

Gigabyte X48-DQ6 at ZipZoomFly.com

Thanks for those links Blake...very helpful.

Also the Gigabyte X48-DQ6 is looking real good.

With this: INTEL Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00 GHz 1333 MHz 775 6MB Desktop Processor Retail $202.80

INTEL Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00 GHz 1333 MHz 775 6MB Desktop Processor Retail at ZipZoomfly

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR Geforce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Video Card Retail $169 after mail in rebate?!

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR Geforce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Video Card Retail at ZipZoomfly

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX TX 750W Power Supply Retail $109 after MIR

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX TX 750W Power Supply Retail at ZipZoomfly

Corsair Dominator Series TWIN2X2048-8500C5D 2GB Kit DDR2-1066 PC2-8500 Memory Retail $ 52.50 after MIR, heck I am gonna get 2!

Corsair Dominator Series TWIN2X2048-8500C5D 2GB Kit DDR2-1066 PC2-8500 Memory Retail at ZipZoomfly

CM 690 or NZXT Temptest (Thanks Stormcrow!) for either $100 or less for the 690.

An Asus DVD Burner

This is sounding ok ....mostly like I should go with the DDR2. I am not hearing any great reasons to go DDR3

OK the DVD and the HD left out before:

Newegg.com - ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail $35.99

ASUS DRW-2014L1T 20X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Retail $37


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148136
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM


SEAGATE ST3500320AS 500GB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive Bulk $89 after MIR

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005939

[Hitman]

Where's the Hard Drive?

[screwballl]

I myself do suggest 4GB of DDR2 and a compatible board and then use the extra money towards a better... something else
if you want the best performance then go for higher speed DDR3 and appropriate board. You will see better performance from higher speed DDR3 than you will with lower latency DDR2. For a happy medium, go with 7-7-7-20 DDR3-1333.

[Hitman]

Keep in mind that OEM hard drives are the drive only, no screws or cables. Now your motherboard should come with SATA cables, and your case should come with screws, so an OEM HDD is a great way to save a little money. Just a minor detail.

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by unknown555525

My point is that I would easily suggest a high end 4GB PC6400 kit that costs around $99 than a PC12800 kit that costs $400. And I'm also willing to bet that in both synthetic, and real benchmarks, the DDR2 kit will beat the DDR3 kit clocked twice as fast due to the high latencies of most DDR3 kits.

Infact, there are even numerous review sites that pit DDR2 memory with latecies of 4-4-4-12 in 800MHz, that actually gets around 10% faster than DDR3 memory at 1333Mhz that runs higher latecies. In every benchmark including video decoding to gaming, and synthetic benchmarks.

Just a small correction:
Which is faster, 800MHz or 1333MHz? The latter of course. Regardless of the latencies, once you get over 1066MHz, the latencies take back burner to raw speed increases. Now if you compare DDR2-1066 at 5-5-5-20 versus DDR3-1066 at 7-7-7-20 then yes the DDR2 would be faster (by about 3-5%) due to the lower latencies, but this only works with exact same speed ratings with different latencies. When comparing 1333MHz to 800MHz, everything including the real and synthetic benchmarks will see better performance from the 1066MHz speeds and higher, even with higher latencies.
Hope this helps clear up any confusion.

Using 2 of our very own reviews here at HL:
Sisoft Sandra test (just as an example)
DDR3-1509, 6-6-6-15
(INT and FLOAT)
7.53GB/s and 7.45GB/s

DDR2-1035, 5-5-5-15
6.27 and 6.36

with close latencies, the DDR3 just cleans house.
even compared to same memory at lower speed, DDR2-800, 4-3-4-10
6.89, 6.94

That is still a large gap relating to memory specs.

[StevieRay]

Here is some nice memory info from Tom...thought this was helpful....

DDR2 Speeds - Tom's Hardware : Tom's Ultimate RAM Speed Tests

[unknown555525]

The build looks great for an overclocker. You will be overclocking right?

The only thing I'm having trouble understanding with you build is the 750w power supply. I'd assume under full load with the CPU overclocked to 4GHz and volts OCed as well that the entire system would draw much less than 450w.

It's all fine if you don't mind you power bill being a few dollars more per month.



So basically, DDR2 800MHz at 4-3-4-12 vs DDR3 at 1509 6-6-6-15 has a 5% increase for around 6 times the amount of money. You decide if that's worth it.

[StevieRay]

Unknown, thank you for your feedback. I only went with the 750 thinking it was safe for this system. I do plan to OC. I will be happy to go lower. Any ideas?

I think the DDR2 is going to be my path. I will go with the better video card with the savings...

CAn I get a DDR3 card with a DDR2 system.? No laughing. Teach me!

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by StevieRay

CAn I get a DDR3 card with a DDR2 system.? No laughing. Teach me!

Nope.