DFI LP NF4 SLI-DR + Ram??

po0k

I'm currently speccing and pricing the components for my new rig.

After reading through dfi-street a bit, I'm going getting a Fortron FN550-PLN psu.

The ram, however is a bit trickier. I'm getting either a Venice 3500 or a SD 3700, and hope to overclock them to about 2.4Ghz at least, hopefully to 2.5 or 2.6 if I'm lucky (and if I can get watercooling down the line).
HSF will be a Thermalright XP-90c with a Papst 80mm fan ontop. AS5 for thermal paste.

Ram options at the moment seem to be Corsair or OCZ.
I'd really like to get TWINX2048-3200C2 2.5-3-3-6 2x 1024Meg 184pin DIMM Black Heatspreaders, and I've emailed Komplett to enquire about stock.
I want to eventually have 2 Gig ram in my machine, running at DDR400+ at 1T, which, from what I can gather, means leaving one pair of ram sockets empty.
Also, going 2Gig immediately means I can still install another 2x 512Meg dimms later if I want.

The other option is to get 2x 512Meg dimms.
DDR PC400 1GB Corsair TWINX1024-3200XL
http://www.comtech.de/product_info.php?pID=2234 €197.40
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=300699&cks=PRL €211
http://www.jes-computer.de/product_info.php?pID=17685 €193.05

DDR PC400 1024MB TwinMOS Twister Dualkit
http://www.comtech.de/product_info.php?pID=1135 €204.38

Geil RAM 1024 Mo - 2x512Mo - DDR500 - Ultra Dual Series
http://www.pc-look.com/boutik/Prod_Geil-RAM-1024-Mo-2x512Mo-DDR500-Ultra-Dual-Series__1753_fr.html €196.99

OCZ 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 Dual Channel Gold VX EL-DDR CAS2.0
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Performance_Series.html £140.94

From what I've read, the Geil ram seems to be aimed at P4s, and doesn't work very well on A64 platforms.

I'm looking at PC3200 ram with low timings specifically because initially I want to run everything at stock clocks and tight timings while I get used to the system and burn her in, along with working out the kinks.
I should then be able to ramp up the clocks a bit and loosen timings accordingly.
I'm also aware of the plethora of mem timing settings there are on the DFI board.

Question: Has anyone used any of the above ram on the DFI board with either a Venice or SD cpu? If so, what FSB (200+) could you get 100% stable?
Anyone care to recommend some ram, either 2x 512Meg or 2x1024Meg sticks?

Inquitus

Thought I know nowt about AMD, I get great results with my Intel gear from G.Skill LE -

2 x 512 sticks

236FSB @ 2-2-2-5 1T when using my 17x multi

280FSB @ 2.5-3-3-7 1T @ 14x multi

both results at Vdimm 2.8V

Inqui

Dman_15

i'd say the ocz vx. It runs at 2-2-2-5 and should have a nice bit of leeway for overclocking at tight timings. It is the only ram you mentioned that will be able to use the extra voltage the DFI can supply. I think the VX performs well with loose timings and high fsb also.

po0k

Aye, that raises two issues though (aside from price
I've been reading about cold-boot problems with the DFI board, particularly relating to the mem voltage setting not being remembered after the kettle lead has been removed.
So that it's connect lead-> power on -> overclock rates applied -> mem voltage applied.
As far as I know there'll be a fix for this in the next bios release. This entails switching the power on order to set mem voltage and then overclock settings.

Also, when running at higher voltage, it'll generate alot of heat (particularly when at high clock rates <Pd> == f * V^2 * C)

jozi

I think ocz brought out memory specifically for the dfi motherboard dont know what its called thou

padraigf

Have a look at this here for OC results you can expect with those CPUs. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=888001

It seems that the 3200+ is just as good overclocked as the 3500 or the 3800. Just something to bear in mind if you want to save a few yoyos. Also, watercooling doesnt seem to be necessary to get a good OC with vencie/sd chips at all since some people are hitting 2.6-2.7 with the stock cooler

dubdvd

if i was you i'd go for this OCZ DFI NF4 PC5000 VX
http://www.3dgameman.com/vr/ocz/ocz_pc5000el/video_review_03.html
,its a bit pricey but it is made for the dfi's extra voltage ...it keeps it tight timings at high overclocks but from minute one it will need the extra juice even at low settings ,so you will have to take into account how well your air-flow is in your case ...or even setting up a memory fan or fans as seen in the new abit fatality boards here

po0k

I'm not too worried about the airflow, there'll be 2-3 120mm fans down the front, 120mm fan over the atx panel.
The XP-90c might obstruct putting a fan ontop of the memory, but I'll work something out with heatspreaders and tiny heatsinks.

DemonOfTheFall

If you used an XP-120 itd blow on the ram

Azza

I'd go for the OCZ VX stuff....looks very impressive. Might even consider going higher than the PC3200 have a little extra room to overclock. If I remember correctly the timings are still quite good at higher levels.

You said you where looking at either a Venice or a San Degio 3700. I did not think there was a San Degio that low. I thought the 3700 was a Clawhammer and the only San Degio's where the FX 55 and forthcoming 57 as well as the AMD 64 4000.

Azza

My mistake there is a 3700 SD.

po0k

Running at high voltage isn't all that appealing to me.

I don't like the XP-120. It dominates the interior of the case.