memory question

[leftcoastlefty]

Is the difference between this:

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145260

and this:

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145285

enough to notice?

[David M]

No, its not noticeable. Go with the RAM with the looser timings for fewer chances of problems and greater longevity.

[glc]

It's only noticeable if you are going to be overclocking and going for bragging rights with benchmarks.

[leftcoastlefty]

Intel Corporation Core i7 860 Processor Boxed
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0317378

Asus Computer International P7P55D-E LGA 1156 P55 ATX Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0326254

I will probably overclock a bit, whats the point in getting this type of hardware if you don't?
Not interested in bragging rights or benchmarks, just noticeable performance.
Does this change your reply or should I stick with the C9?

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help.

[David M]

A good reason for buying that motherboard and CPU is that they are both very good components whether or not you choose to overclock.

Overclocking is for enthusiasts. There is nothing wrong with being an enthusiast if you like tinkering with your computer to make it run faster because you find that in itself to be fun. I find it fun a hell. If though reliability, longevity and keeping your warranty is important, then don't overclock.

There is nothing wrong with the C7 RAM with the tighter timings. Just understand that in most cases, you will probably never notice any difference. The benchmarks that take RAM speed into consideration will detect a slight difference, but we are probably not talking a difference noticeable to a human.

If you do want to overclock, its not hard to get to 4GHz on aftermarket air cooling with those parts. Whether or not it will make a noticeable difference depends on the application. With MSFT Flight Simulator overclocking the CPU makes a big difference since this application is heavily CPU dependent. Most games though are heavily graphics card dependent. Movie and photo editing software can be heavily CPU and/or RAM dependent.

Your Micro Center link is not finding the product or something like that. You were probably better off ordering from Newegg in your first post. Amazon is good as well.

[leftcoastlefty]

Thanks for the help.

The Microcenter links were copied from an earlier post, when I was going to try to buy everything there. I have since changed strategy as I found Microcenter has great prices on processors, not so much on everything else.

If I won't notice the difference, that's all I need to know. I'll save the 25 bucks and go with the
C9.

Really appreciate the quick replies!