Dominator 2x2GB kit & GA-P35-DS4 v2.0

cozumel · Aug 13, 2008, 11:43 AM

Hi,

I'm looking at buying the 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX DDR2 PC2-8500 (1066) TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF as it has 10% off today (down to £80.48 from the displayed price of £89.30) and comes with the cooler. Wondering if anyone knows how it performs with my Gigabyte board?

The other alternative I would consider would be the 4GB G.Skill DDR2 PC2-8800 1100MHz TT (PI) Series F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI. This would cost me £12 extra (at £92.12) and doesn't come with a cooler. Although it runs at lower voltage, from what I've read the Dominators would probably clock higher. Is that correct?

I know there are other faster kits available, but they do not fall within my budget of £100

PangingJr · Aug 13, 2008, 12:19 PM

here's some memory OC reviews on the G.Skill F2-8800... RAM kit
Now let's challenge the highest memory frequecy @ ddr1200 for 1.9v only, Gskill 2gbx2 did it again! - OCXtreme.org Forums
XtremeSystems Forums - View Single Post - G.SKILL F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI (1100MHz)

and here's some memory OC reviews on the Corsair 2x2GB PC2-8500 and PC2-9136
Corsair Dominator 2x2GB PC8500 DDR2 - XtremeSystems Forums
Corsair 4GB DDR2 PC9136 Kit 2D/3D benchmarks at 600MHz (611MHz screen) - OCXtreme.org Forums

both RAM kits seems to do well in overclocking.
but you can't expected all of the RAM kits (and motherboards, including CPUs) will perform the same and are able to reach the same overclocking level.

cozumel · Aug 13, 2008, 12:32 PM

Thanks panging. You're always an 'Aladins Cave' of useful information

PangingJr · Aug 13, 2008, 02:29 PM

You're welcome cozumel.

here's original thread of the the F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI at XtremeSystems forums, G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI anyone ? - XtremeSystems Forums , i couldn't locate it earlier.
i saw in some of the cases, this 4GB seems to do DDR2-1200 quite well.
well, when i can i would take time to personally test overcloking one of these 4GB kits.

anyway, if you already have some RAMs for use in your system, you can take your time before deciding to buy the new kit. and good luck on whatever you choose to buy.

PangingJr · Sep 5, 2008, 06:31 PM

i just purchase these RAM kits today, and just installed them.
i haven't tried to overclock this RAM yet, i'll run it at this (below) clock speed for a few days first.

2x G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI

4x 2GB DDR2-1066MHz @ 1.8v (P5Q-D)

just can't wait for the F2-9600CL5D-4GBPI to become available in my retail store any more.

PangingJr · Sep 5, 2008, 08:23 PM

wow i like this RAM kit (btw, i hope I'm not talking too soon), if this motherboard are able to set vdimm voltage below 1.80v, then i think this 4x 2GB might be able to run at the clock speed of DDR2-1066 at below 1.80v,
i only need NB voltage at 1.16v at the moment, both superPi 32MB and a quick prime95 test, don't seems to have any problem with the low voltage setting (that's supposed to not be possible).

i'm not even going to care if this RAM won't overclock past its rated clock speed, or even it can only be used for 4x 2GB at around DDR2-1066 - DDR2-1080,

for me, it's plenty of useful enough for overclocking a Quad processor (or Dual that has a higher CPU multi than 8) at the FSB of 444 - 450 MHz.

----------------------------

okay, DDR2-1080 (450x9 CPU core speed, FSB : DRAM 5:6) @ 1.80v 2x SuperPI 32MB passed.

okay, DDR2-1104 (460x9 CPU core speed 4,140 MHz, FSB : DRAM 5:6) @ 1.80v, 2x SuperPI 32MB passed.

PangingJr · Sep 6, 2008, 04:01 AM

will not be wasting time with and after memtesting. just want to know if these 2 RAM kits will work together well enough and can go a bit past its factory rated spec PC2-8800 / DDR2-1100MHz,

just to ensure that this system can pass the 2x SuperPI 32MB test, i increased vdimm voltage from 1.80v to 1.90v and NB voltage from 1.16v to 1.26v

the same RAM kit that my freind has with him, when using 4x 2GB, the RAM won't be able to overclock well,
so i didn't know, actually, wasn't sure before that this RAM kit can be this good with such a low volt use.

PangingJr · Sep 8, 2008, 05:54 AM

The quest to 1150MHZ with 4GB...bring on the Flex II 1150 - OCZ Forum

Quote:

1150MHZ with 4GB of DDR2 (2x2GB) is NOT easy to do, especially on X38 and X48 boards, it is NOT impossible though
First off the starting blocks is the Asus rampage formula.

Quote:

We decided to test with a QX9650, this was to simulate load that Q6600 users would be seeing who over clock the processor to 3.6GHZ or so, please remember though we don't guarantee CPU over clocks, only the memory. Also note quad core CPU's place a massive load on the chipset and the FSB as a whole, not every CPU will do FSB speeds like mine here, so be prepared to fine tune your system taking into account the limits your CPU places on it.

Also worth noting here is tRD (performance Level) Using my calculator the theory was I should to be able to run tRD at 6...reality was 7 was as low as I could go.
This is massively important so please take note of my bios shots and make sure you get familiar with tRD as you have to set this manually. Also way up on the important list was the Dram Clock Skew..again you have to set this manually and it may differ from board to board, what i post here is a guide, not set in stone.

To prove the flex was indeed in the Formula here is the marketing shot eagle eyed amongst you will see I actually was using a P5E deluxe, its built off the rampage PCB so i just flashed the rampage bios to it ...it functions the same as the Rampage so take this as a Rampage guide.

Quote:

Here are the things you need to look out for.

tRD (performance level) had to be 7

Dram Clock Skew had to be advanced 300ps

NB voltage has to be around 1.45 to 1.55V...this depends on how good the NB is on your board.

AnandTech has tested this OCZ Flex II PC2-9200 with Intel E8500 and Asus P5Q Deluxe P45 based board,
and has gotten this kit to DDR2-1200 2.08v.
if interested, you can read more info here AnandTech: OCZ Flex II - Life at 1200MHz

PangingJr · Sep 8, 2008, 07:34 AM

2x G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI (4x 2GB, 8GB of RAM)

463MHz CPU FSB / FSB : DRAM 5:6 / DDR2-1111 / E8400, P5Q Deluxe

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1/A2 & B1/B2 : Advanced 250PS
DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
DRAM Read Training: Enabled
MEM. OC Charger: Enabled
AI Clock Twister: Moderate
tRD/PL: 8 (Pull ins: Disabled)
Vdimm: 1.86v (Memtest 86+ first runs, passed on all test numbers for 10 passes.)
CPU GTLref 64%
PLL 1,52 / VTT 1,22 / NB 1,22
NB GTLref 62%

463x8.5 (manually adjusted memory timing using info of the module's EPP parameters for 533MHz clock)

463x9 (adjusted memory timing using info of the module's EPP parameters for 533MHz clock)

463x9 (adjusted memory timing using info from the module's SPD data timings on 400MHz clock)

PangingJr · Sep 11, 2008, 07:05 PM

2x G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI (4x 2GB, 8GB of RAM)

458MHz CPU FSB / FSB : DRAM 5:6 / DDR2-1100 / Q9300, P5Q Deluxe / Vdimm: 1.82v / NB 1.26v

4x SuperPi 32MB.

PangingJr · Sep 12, 2008, 06:06 AM

458MHz CPU FSB / VDimm 1.82v, NB 1.28v (at BIOS)

this time CPU multi at default and the 'Automatically manage paging file size for all drives' is enabled'

also forced Windows to use most of the available system RAM before testing the system with 4x SuperPi 32MB.

pretty good RAM.
low power supply needed to operate at high clock and stable, and not too expensive for 8GB.

PangingJr · Sep 13, 2008, 02:36 PM

i can only manage these 4x 2GB RAM kit to DDR2-1160, it was only just to loading and keeping Windows stable for a bit. i may have better results than this with 2x 2GB.
i got into Windows at DDR2-1180 couple times but crashed within minutes after, however, at BIOS and with 1.96v VDimm and NB 1.30v, the system continue to boot DDR2-1200+.

CPU that might be a better combination for using in overclocking this RAM kit is either E6300 or any C2D 1066 MHz processors, as i've seen a few overclocking reviews uses them to overclock this specific RAM kit, and they have gotten some amazing results out of it. but remember some are just overclock the RAM only.

cozumel · Sep 13, 2008, 03:03 PM

I just love all the continual experimenting you do. And it's great you keep posting all the different configurations you try, with screenshots

I've got a little 40x40x7mm fan being delivered Monday that I'll screw into the northbridge heatsink. At the moment the best I can get with the Dominators is 1120 stable with memtest86+/Prime95/Vista and I'm hoping with better cooling I can push ip up a bit further. Then I want to see what I can get with cpu maybe up to 3.6 with ''holy" 1:1 ratio. I'll probably end up having final setting of 400x9 / DDR2 800 with low timings or 450x8 / DDR2 900 with or 514x7 DDR2 1034. Then compare with other ratios and timings to see which out of all these settings is giving best overall performance.

I'll probably make a cardboard funnel hot air from the GFX (2-slot aftermarket) cooler to the vented slot on the back of the case to reduce internal temps further and improve my overclock prospects. There is currently approx half to one inch gap between the rear gfx exhaust and the vented slot so although a lot of hot air is exhausting out of the case there is still more that could be channelled out.

PangingJr · Sep 13, 2008, 06:53 PM

440MHz CPU FSB / FSB : DRAM 4:5 / DDR2-1100 / VDimm 1.82v, NB 1.30v (at BIOS)

During this test, i continued to use up some more RAM while 4x SuprerPi 32MB was running and after it's finished.

the system is again pretty stable.

PangingJr · Sep 16, 2008, 09:17 AM

4x 2GB DDR2 1110 1.82v

Paging File Disabled (this's not a recommend. it's for testing only) and forced the system to run out of RAM, and just having enough RAM to run the system and memtesting.

--------------------

PangingJr · Sep 19, 2008, 02:51 PM

FSB : DRAM 2:3 / DDR2-1066 / 1.8v / system with no paging file and lots of RAM test.

FSB : DRAM 2:3 / DDR2-1066 / 1.8v

these RAM kits have performed stable throughout my test for 8GB (4 x 2GB non-ECC) system.

Aug 13, 2008, 11:43 AM	#1
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Dominator 2x2GB kit & GA-P35-DS4 v2.0 Hi, I'm looking at buying the 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX DDR2 PC2-8500 (1066) TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF as it has 10% off today (down to £80.48 from the displayed price of £89.30) and comes with the cooler. Wondering if anyone knows how it performs with my Gigabyte board? The other alternative I would consider would be the 4GB G.Skill DDR2 PC2-8800 1100MHz TT (PI) Series F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI. This would cost me £12 extra (at £92.12) and doesn't come with a cooler. Although it runs at lower voltage, from what I've read the Dominators would probably clock higher. Is that correct? I know there are other faster kits available, but they do not fall within my budget of £100 __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks Last edited by cozumel; Aug 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM.

Aug 13, 2008, 12:32 PM	Thread Starter #3
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Thanks panging. You're always an 'Aladins Cave' of useful information __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Sep 5, 2008, 06:31 PM	#5
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i just purchase these RAM kits today, and just installed them. i haven't tried to overclock this RAM yet, i'll run it at this (below) clock speed for a few days first. 2x G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI 4x 2GB DDR2-1066MHz @ 1.8v (P5Q-D) just can't wait for the F2-9600CL5D-4GBPI to become available in my retail store any more. Last edited by PangingJr; Sep 5, 2008 at 09:19 PM.

Sep 5, 2008, 08:23 PM	#6
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	wow i like this RAM kit (btw, i hope I'm not talking too soon), if this motherboard are able to set vdimm voltage below 1.80v, then i think this 4x 2GB might be able to run at the clock speed of DDR2-1066 at below 1.80v, i only need NB voltage at 1.16v at the moment, both superPi 32MB and a quick prime95 test, don't seems to have any problem with the low voltage setting (that's supposed to not be possible). i'm not even going to care if this RAM won't overclock past its rated clock speed, or even it can only be used for 4x 2GB at around DDR2-1066 - DDR2-1080, for me, it's plenty of useful enough for overclocking a Quad processor (or Dual that has a higher CPU multi than 8) at the FSB of 444 - 450 MHz. ---------------------------- okay, DDR2-1080 (450x9 CPU core speed, FSB : DRAM 5:6) @ 1.80v 2x SuperPI 32MB passed. okay, DDR2-1104 (460x9 CPU core speed 4,140 MHz, FSB : DRAM 5:6) @ 1.80v, 2x SuperPI 32MB passed. Last edited by PangingJr; Sep 6, 2008 at 04:07 AM.

Sep 6, 2008, 04:01 AM	#7
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	will not be wasting time with and after memtesting. just want to know if these 2 RAM kits will work together well enough and can go a bit past its factory rated spec PC2-8800 / DDR2-1100MHz, just to ensure that this system can pass the 2x SuperPI 32MB test, i increased vdimm voltage from 1.80v to 1.90v and NB voltage from 1.16v to 1.26v the same RAM kit that my freind has with him, when using 4x 2GB, the RAM won't be able to overclock well, so i didn't know, actually, wasn't sure before that this RAM kit can be this good with such a low volt use. Last edited by PangingJr; Sep 6, 2008 at 04:08 AM.

Aug 13, 2008, 12:19 PM	#2
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	here's some memory OC reviews on the G.Skill F2-8800... RAM kit Now let's challenge the highest memory frequecy @ ddr1200 for 1.9v only, Gskill 2gbx2 did it again! - OCXtreme.org Forums XtremeSystems Forums - View Single Post - G.SKILL F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI (1100MHz) and here's some memory OC reviews on the Corsair 2x2GB PC2-8500 and PC2-9136 Corsair Dominator 2x2GB PC8500 DDR2 - XtremeSystems Forums Corsair 4GB DDR2 PC9136 Kit 2D/3D benchmarks at 600MHz (611MHz screen) - OCXtreme.org Forums both RAM kits seems to do well in overclocking. but you can't expected all of the RAM kits (and motherboards, including CPUs) will perform the same and are able to reach the same overclocking level.

Aug 13, 2008, 02:29 PM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	You're welcome cozumel. here's original thread of the the F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI at XtremeSystems forums, G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI anyone ? - XtremeSystems Forums , i couldn't locate it earlier. i saw in some of the cases, this 4GB seems to do DDR2-1200 quite well. well, when i can i would take time to personally test overcloking one of these 4GB kits. anyway, if you already have some RAMs for use in your system, you can take your time before deciding to buy the new kit. and good luck on whatever you choose to buy.

Sep 8, 2008, 07:34 AM	#9
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	2x G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI (4x 2GB, 8GB of RAM) 463MHz CPU FSB / FSB : DRAM 5:6 / DDR2-1111 / E8400, P5Q Deluxe DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1/A2 & B1/B2 : Advanced 250PS DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled DRAM Read Training: Enabled MEM. OC Charger: Enabled AI Clock Twister: Moderate tRD/PL: 8 (Pull ins: Disabled) Vdimm: 1.86v (Memtest 86+ first runs, passed on all test numbers for 10 passes.) CPU GTLref 64% PLL 1,52 / VTT 1,22 / NB 1,22 NB GTLref 62% 463x8.5 (manually adjusted memory timing using info of the module's EPP parameters for 533MHz clock) 463x9 (adjusted memory timing using info of the module's EPP parameters for 533MHz clock) 463x9 (adjusted memory timing using info from the module's SPD data timings on 400MHz clock)

Sep 11, 2008, 07:05 PM	#10
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	2x G.Skill F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI (4x 2GB, 8GB of RAM) 458MHz CPU FSB / FSB : DRAM 5:6 / DDR2-1100 / Q9300, P5Q Deluxe / Vdimm: 1.82v / NB 1.26v 4x SuperPi 32MB.

Sep 12, 2008, 06:06 AM	#11
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	458MHz CPU FSB / VDimm 1.82v, NB 1.28v (at BIOS) this time CPU multi at default and the 'Automatically manage paging file size for all drives' is enabled' also forced Windows to use most of the available system RAM before testing the system with 4x SuperPi 32MB. pretty good RAM. low power supply needed to operate at high clock and stable, and not too expensive for 8GB.

Sep 13, 2008, 02:36 PM	#12
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i can only manage these 4x 2GB RAM kit to DDR2-1160, it was only just to loading and keeping Windows stable for a bit. i may have better results than this with 2x 2GB. i got into Windows at DDR2-1180 couple times but crashed within minutes after, however, at BIOS and with 1.96v VDimm and NB 1.30v, the system continue to boot DDR2-1200+. CPU that might be a better combination for using in overclocking this RAM kit is either E6300 or any C2D 1066 MHz processors, as i've seen a few overclocking reviews uses them to overclock this specific RAM kit, and they have gotten some amazing results out of it. but remember some are just overclock the RAM only.

Sep 13, 2008, 03:03 PM	Thread Starter #13
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	I just love all the continual experimenting you do. And it's great you keep posting all the different configurations you try, with screenshots I've got a little 40x40x7mm fan being delivered Monday that I'll screw into the northbridge heatsink. At the moment the best I can get with the Dominators is 1120 stable with memtest86+/Prime95/Vista and I'm hoping with better cooling I can push ip up a bit further. Then I want to see what I can get with cpu maybe up to 3.6 with ''holy" 1:1 ratio. I'll probably end up having final setting of 400x9 / DDR2 800 with low timings or 450x8 / DDR2 900 with or 514x7 DDR2 1034. Then compare with other ratios and timings to see which out of all these settings is giving best overall performance. I'll probably make a cardboard funnel hot air from the GFX (2-slot aftermarket) cooler to the vented slot on the back of the case to reduce internal temps further and improve my overclock prospects. There is currently approx half to one inch gap between the rear gfx exhaust and the vented slot so although a lot of hot air is exhausting out of the case there is still more that could be channelled out. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Sep 13, 2008, 06:53 PM	#14
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	440MHz CPU FSB / FSB : DRAM 4:5 / DDR2-1100 / VDimm 1.82v, NB 1.30v (at BIOS) During this test, i continued to use up some more RAM while 4x SuprerPi 32MB was running and after it's finished. the system is again pretty stable.

Sep 16, 2008, 09:17 AM	#15
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	4x 2GB DDR2 1110 1.82v Paging File Disabled (this's not a recommend. it's for testing only) and forced the system to run out of RAM, and just having enough RAM to run the system and memtesting. --------------------

Sep 19, 2008, 02:51 PM	#16
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	FSB : DRAM 2:3 / DDR2-1066 / 1.8v / system with no paging file and lots of RAM test. FSB : DRAM 2:3 / DDR2-1066 / 1.8v these RAM kits have performed stable throughout my test for 8GB (4 x 2GB non-ECC) system.