Need help when selecting memory for Asus P5Q (P45)

[+Mystic MVC]

My friend is building a computer and we are looking for low cost memory solution for his Asus P5Q (P45). He is shopping on Newegg and looking for 2x2GB.

[+PeterUK MVC]

This stuff should do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820211188

[+Mystic MVC]

Any other suggestions?

[IceBreakerG]

I've always been a fan of OCZ memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227267

I'm planning on getting the same motherboard, but trying to decide between the regular P5Q or the P5Q-E. I don't plan on using cross fire though, so I may just stick with the P5Q and save a few bucks. That memory should work well though.

[+Mystic MVC]

So even though it says that its memory standard is DD2 1200 it can support DD2 800? How much slower would that run?

[Mando]

I have a P5Q Pro and the only thing to check is that if your gonna use all 4 slots, that you use single sided dimms. Geils 2.2gb slots can be used in all 4 slots at the same time if required.

If you are using 2 dimms then any will work well.

I have the Asus one, very impressed in the solid capcitors and the heatpipe cooling on the motherboard, not to mention how dammed stable the systems been! :)

mine is running 800fsb with an old P4D 3.4ghz atm but ram is sitting underclocked as DDR2 800, the fsb speeds supported without clocking are dependant on your cpu fsb.

800fsb cpu = 800 ram

1066fsb cpu = 1066

1333fsb cpu = 1200

1600fsb cpu = 1200

I avnt tried clocking anything as of yet as im waiting till pay day to replace cpu, tbvh the cpus feeding my 9800GTX quite happily with silly frame rates in everything ive thrown at it so far.

Edited July 5, 2008 by Mando

[+Mystic MVC]

I've always been a fan of OCZ memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227267

I'm planning on getting the same motherboard, but trying to decide between the regular P5Q or the P5Q-E. I don't plan on using cross fire though, so I may just stick with the P5Q and save a few bucks. That memory should work well though.

So one more time before we try to buy anything; will that ram above work with the P5Q?

[Mando]

it will work yes, but what fsb speed of cpu are you buying because thats decent enough ram but only PC2-6400, if your going anything above 800mhz fsb cpu your best buying PC2-8500 (1066) ram.

1066mhz speed ram compared to 800mhz ram 234mhz of a difference in fsb (over a quarter faster)

If its the asus board go to the Asus site and theres a huge matrix for the motherboard that tells you exactly what ram is garuanteed to work (by brand and part name).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227289

^ PC8500 version of the previous ram and better choice.

Ill state again before i say bye ;)

I have a P5Q Pro and the only thing to check is that if your gonna use all 4 slots, that you use single sided dimms.

soooo if your buying 2x 2gb sticks then any ddr2 ram will fit cos u cant use all 4 slots when they all double sided dimms, u can use 4x1gb single sided dimms fine, but not 4x1gb double sided dimms.

Same applies for any size DIMMS up to 4Gb sticks, 16gb is supported ONLY IF 4x4gb of SINGLE SIDED DIMMS :)

[+Mystic MVC]

He is putting in an Intel Q9450 CPU with a FSB of 1333mhz so can you gives us any other recommendations? Thanks

[Mando]

He is putting in an Intel Q9450 CPU with a FSB of 1333mhz so can you gives us any other recommendations? Thanks

the PC8500 ram will be fine mate esp if its a quad 1333fsb (Q9450) or hunt down clockable ddr1200 if you wanna play at overclocking, if not 8500 is plenty.

[obiwong]

for a Q9450 PC6400 ram should be enough

even if you're overclocking, i don't think many quads hit 500MHz FSB

get some good overclocking PC6400 RAM and you should be fine (Y)

....even my Crucial Ballistix Tracers PC6400 hit 500MHz @ 5-5-5-15

get some Dominators

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145168

OCZ Platinum Rev 2 also some very good RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227139

[+Mystic MVC]

the PC8500 ram will be fine mate esp if its a quad 1333fsb (Q9450) or hunt down clockable ddr1200 if you wanna play at overclocking, if not 8500 is plenty.

So something like this would work then?

[APH-Alex]

for a Q9450 PC6400 ram should be enough

even if you're overclocking, i don't think many quads hit 500MHz FSB

get some good overclocking PC6400 RAM and you should be fine (Y)

....even my Crucial Ballistix Tracers PC6400 hit 500MHz @ 5-5-5-15

get some Dominators

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145168

OCZ Platinum Rev 2 also some very good RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227139

+1

[+shift. MVC]

800fsb cpu = 800 ram

1066fsb cpu = 1066

1333fsb cpu = 1200

1600fsb cpu = 1200

Nope. CPU FSB is quad pumped, while RAM frequency is double data rate.

800 FSB = 200MHz actual FSB x 2 = 400MHz RAM (DDR2-400)

1066 FSB = 266MHz actual FSB x 2 = 533MHz RAM (DDR2-533)

1333 FSB = 333.25MHz actual FSB x 2 = 667MHz RAM (DDR2-667)

1600 FSB = 400MHz actual FSB x 2 = 800MHz RAM (DDR2-800)

For 1066FSB or 1333FSB CPU's you only need DDR2-533 or 667 IF you are not overclocking. If you are, then DDR2-800 will be fine for up to 400MHz actual FSB, and DDR2-1066 will be good for 533MHz actual FSB. 400-533MHz is about the limit of most chipsets nowadays anyway, so you don't really need anything faster than that and and PC8500 is a bit overkill for the regular user.

Edited July 5, 2008 by -SHiFT-

[CrashG]

He is putting in an Intel Q9450 CPU with a FSB of 1333mhz so can you gives us any other recommendations? Thanks

The actual FSB of that is 333MHz (333x4=1333) because Intel chips use a "quad pumped" FSB. So anything that is faster than DDR2 667 will be fine. If you're going to be overclocking then you might want some faster ram. DDR2 800 should be able to get to 1000MHz although you're unlikely to get that cpu that high without some high-end air or liquid cooling.

CL5 Ram:

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

CL4 Ram:

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

[+Mystic MVC]

Nope. CPU FSB is quad pumped, while RAM frequency is double data rate.

800 FSB = 200MHz actual FSB x 2 = 400MHz RAM (DDR2-400)

1066 FSB = 266MHz actual FSB x 2 = 533MHz RAM (DDR2-533)

1333 FSB = 333.25MHz actual FSB x 2 = 667MHz RAM (DDR2-667)

1600 FSB = 400MHz actual FSB x 2 = 800MHz RAM (DDR2-800)

For 1066FSB or 1333FSB CPU's you only need DDR2-533 or 667 IF you are not overclocking. If you are, then DDR2-800 will be fine for up to 400MHz actual FSB, and DDR2-1066 will be good for 533MHz actual FSB. 400-533MHz is about the limit of most chipsets nowadays anyway, so you don't really need anything faster than that and and PC8500 is a bit overkill for the regular user.

Thanks so much guys. I'm going to tell him to go with the this one and it comes along with a decent rebate as well.

[obiwong]

make sure you got a 64bit OS to go with that 4GB of RAM ;)

[+shift. MVC]

Excellent choice. OCZ Reaper are really good RAM. Like Obi Wong said, remember a 32 bit OS will only read about 3GB of that RAM.

[+Mystic MVC]

Excellent choice. OCZ Reaper are really good RAM. Like Obi Wong said, remember a 32 bit OS will only read about 3GB of that RAM.

I haven't explained that concept to my friend, but regardless if he knows or not, I am installing Vista 64bit for him even if some of his programs don't work. :shiftyninja:

Otherwise it is worthless to get all that ram if the OS can't utilize it.

[Mando]

So something like this would work then?

that will work in the slots yes, I have the 2x1gb versions of it (im running xp pro)

[Badie05]

Go for the G.Skill :p