Ok Memory question

[DREDIOCK]

Am I to understand that according to the Both the CORSAIR AND the Kingston websites that on this Motherboard.
The Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L 
The fastest memory I can get is 1066 MHz
And I can only install 4 megs of it? (as opposed to 8) Yes I know XP wont even support the full 4 megs. But at some point MS may come out with an OS I want to use.
And if so. As much as anything. I am curious as to why?

Kingston
http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?id=1&SysID=&mfr=&model=&root=&LinkBack=&Sys=47896-Gigabyte-GA-EP35-DS3L+Motherboard&distributor=0&submit1=Search

Corsair
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=555625#other_modules

[BaldEagl]

I couldn't open the Cousair page but here's a question for you.  The board, IIRC, is rated for DDR2 800 or DDR2 1066 RAM.  Why do you need faster RAM?  Again, IIRC, your front side bus speed is 1333 giving you a CPU Bus clock of 333.  1066 RAM has a Bus clock of 533, therefore, the RAM will always be waiting on the CPU (CPU bottleneck).  If you wanted to overclock the CPU to match the RAM speed, you'de have to raise the FSB to 2132 and probobaly also have to install a water cooling system.  Frankly, you could get by with DDR2 667 RAM and not really notice any drop in performance.

You can install up to 8 Gb in that board (4 slots x 2 Gb sticks = 8 Gb max).  A Windows 32 bit OS will only recognize 4 Gb minus your video card memory (approx).  If you want to go to a 64 bit OS all 8 Gb will be available.  As a side note, no 32 bit application is allowed by Windows to utilize more than 2 Gb of memory.

You also have to install memory in matched pairs to run in dual channel mode.

[Chalenge]

Its a question of stability at a given voltage level for that motherboard which is why I suggested you visit the forums for Gigabyte. You may be able to get away with 8 Gigs at a higher voltage level by dropping the memory speed. For instance on the P5N-E I use all four slots and had to raise the voltage only slightly but had to drop the RAM from 800 to 667 not that I can tell that there is any difference.

[DREDIOCK]

LOL Thanks.

I have developed a working grasp of everything else.
the lager problem is once a system is built staying up with everything.
And since its usually a couple of years between builds...

but memory.

Just confounds me for some reason.

I'll be asking more LOL

[Chalenge]

I never knew anything about systems until I started flying on AHII. When I ran into my first problem with AMD cpus I decided to try to learn a little something and spent months researching every item of a new system before buying the fist part. I still feel I dont know anything much but I managed to put a system together and get it running stable (which from what people tell me here is a miracle with Vista).

[BaldEagl]

Here is the web address for the compatible memory listing for your motherboard at the Gigabyte web-site:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_ga-ep35-ds3l.pdf

You'll notice that that board supports up to DDR2 1150 memory, not that you'll need it.

I'd suggest you go with DDR2 800 as it's the most common and currently the best value.  It's also slightly faster than what you need but would allow you to overclock your CPU modestly if you desired (1600 FSB with matched CPU/RAM bus speeds of 400) and still be able to run it on air cooling.

The following Kinsgston part number is readily available at newegg:  1GB Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G (or you could go with the 2GB Kingston KVR800D2N5/2G)

If you want to go to 1066 I think this is the commonly available Kingston part:  1GB Kingston KVR1066D2N7/1G

[DREDIOCK]

Here is the web address for the compatible memory listing for your motherboard at the Gigabyte web-site:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_ga-ep35-ds3l.pdf

You'll notice that that board supports up to DDR2 1150 memory, not that you'll need it.

I'd suggest you go with DDR2 800 as it's the most common and currently the best value.  It's also slightly faster than what you need but would allow you to overclock your CPU modestly if you desired (1600 FSB with matched CPU/RAM bus speeds of 400) and still be able to run it on air cooling.

The following Kinsgston part number is readily available at newegg:  1GB Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G (or you could go with the 2GB Kingston KVR800D2N5/2G)

If you want to go to 1066 I think this is the commonly available Kingston part:  1GB Kingston KVR1066D2N7/1G

Ok now I know Im better off installing memory in pairs
For 4 Gig of ram
Question is which is better. 4 X 1GB sticks
or 2 x2GB sticks of ram?

[Chalenge]

2 x 2 Gig sticks if your MB has trouble with stability using four sockets otherwise your choice given the latencies are similar.

[DREDIOCK]

Yea I know I must be sounding hard headed about now.but I just dont "get" those charts on the Gigabyte site. (very frustrating)
Example for DDR 800 I dont see any 2 Gig sticks listed other then the "MICRON MT16HTF25664AY-800E1"

Am I limited to those choices, brands, and part numbers
Or will something like this work?
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2LLK2/4GR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104043

Yes I know that part is currently out of stock.

Or maybe a better question to ask is

would any or all of these work?

For 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=Kingston+4GB+240-Pin+DDR2+SDRAM+DDR2+800+(PC2+6400&x=0&y=0

For 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=4GB+240-Pin+DDR2+SDRAM+DDR2+1066+(PC2+8500)&x=15&y=26

Thanks for the patience
you have no idea how much I appreciate it

[Chalenge]

You just like Kingston? I went to Corsairs website and used their memory configurator

http://corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=555625

and for your motherboard they recommend TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX which means they have tested it and found it stable. Its also the same memory I use in my system (although I have two sets) and I can vouch for their stability. CAS latency 4!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194&Tpk=TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX

They also have two other modules they recommend for overclockers and extreme users.

[BaldEagl]

Sorry, I don't have Acrobat installed on my laptop so I couldn't reference the list for the 1066 RAM.  Maybe I'll get a chance tomorrow at work.

I'd stay away from the Kingston HyperX (even though that's what I have) as it's SLI rated, low latency and high voltage.  You don't need to spend the extra money. 

It looks as though your motherboard likes RAM that can run at 1.85 volts at a cas latency of 5.  You can use almost anything but you may have to play with voltages and timings to get it to work rather than just plug it in and go and I have heard that the Gigabyte boards are particularly picky about RAM selection.  If you can figure out the core of the part number, then you'll notice that you'll have other options within that part series.  I'll explain below.

This DDR 800 Kingston RAM is the one for your board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134582

The part of the part number you're concerned with is the KVR800D2N5 part (Kingston Value Ram 800 Ddr2 cas latency 5... not sure what the N stands for).  The K2 at the end only stands for Kit of 2.  The KVR800D2N6 would probably work too but it's higher latency (slightly slower) and for $2.60 in savings why bother.

Like I said, I'll try to look at the 1066 tomorrow but I have an off-site meeting in the morning so it might be a little later.

[DREDIOCK]

Challenge.
No I'm not brand specific.
I just want decent memory at a decent price with good quality.
What brand I really dont care

Corsair, Kingston, Muskin, Crucial.
all brands I recognize
course if there is a specific reason to stay away from one brand. or to prefer one brand.
I'd like to know What and why.
Or a type.
Example it 1066 is a waste for what I have.

Intel E8400
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L

then I'm just as good with 800
Or if there is a reason to go with 1066 over 800.
Then I'd like to know that as well

Example. I've found these that according to either the Gigabyte site or the individual manufacturers sites memory configurators will work with my MB

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148160&Tpk=CT2KIT25664AA800

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176&Tpk=TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX

CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194&Tpk=TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134641&Tpk=KVR800D2N6K2%2f4G

[Chalenge]

Well two things that are important is CAS latency and the speed of the RAM. The MB you selected will go to 1200(OC)/1066/800. I would try to go for 1066 if it were me but you also have to consider CAS latency. The Corsair DHX memory that you found and that I linked to are CAS latency 4 and 5  which will be faster then the Kingston you linked at 6. If you chose an 800 RAM I would go with the CAS 4.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194&Tpk=TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX

Corsair has two Dominator types at 1066 with CAS latency 5. These are the modules that Corsair listed as for overclockers on their memory configurator. The only difference between the two are a fan that clips on the top of the modules (actually two miniature fans). If you intend to overclock you might want that one. Personally I have overclocked and it was neat to see my computer run like a horse on coke but I dont like to risk my hardware like that. These RAM fans tend to make noise and dont last very long in my experience but I have never tried the Corsair type (I like Corsair obviously).

With fan:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197

without:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145214

Most people lean toward the fan version as you will see. The other version had only 9 people review it versus 214 for the fan version (high satisfaction).

I have mixed feelings on the faster RAM. I dont know if CAS latency of 5 on 1066 RAM will be a whole lot faster then CAS 4 at 800 but if I had the money I would spend it.

[BaldEagl]

These are all 1066 RAM choices available at newegg from your mobo suggested RAM list:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227181

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134586

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104044

You might have to manually set voltages and timings on these to manufacturer specs as your motherboard might default to 1.85 volts with looser timings.  No biggie.  It's easy to do.

The last one in this list is the 1066 version of what I have (mine is 800).

Here's a list of DDR2 800 available at newegg from your mobo list (all of these are cas latency 5):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220088

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134582

[Dragon]

On the topic of memory, isn't 90% of the memory out their made by Crucial and then just reboxed by the others?