Difference in this RAM? - Hardware & Software

So I've been thinking about purchasing some RAM, (12GB of DDR3 to be exact). And my local computer superstore has these two "kits" Corsair XMS3 Dominator GT CMD12GX3M6A1600C8 12GB DDR3 6X2GB DDR3-1600 CL8-8-8-24 Core i7 Memory Kit [url]http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=44437&vpn=CMD12GX3M6A1600C8&manufacture=Corsair[/url] Corsair XMS3 HX3X12G1600C9 12GB DDR3 6X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 9-9-9-24 Core i7 Memory Kit [url]http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=37150&vpn=HX3X12G1600C9&manufacture=Corsair[/url] So the first one is more expensive then the second one, but I see no difference in specs other than timing (which I have no idea what that does). Can one of the FP experts help me out here?

The difference between CAS 8 and CAS 9 timings are very minimal, so just get whichever is cheaper.

First of all, go with the cheaper kit. There is no point in paying such a high premium for just slightly better timings. It also looks like you'd be paying more for the heatspreaders which you don't really need unless you're doing some serious overclocking. Secondly, I would advise going with 6GB unless you've figured out that you really do need more, in which case, disregard that.

All right, so I'm assuming the $60 price difference isn't worth the %1 performance increase? EDIT: This computer is part of a build contest my buds have once every 3 years, there are two categories and I entered the heavyweight (which means it's best for under 2.5 grand). Winner gets the computer paid for, I felt that I might as well go all in. EDIT EDIT: Since this thread is active I might as well ask this question as well. How does core clock and memory clock translate to actual Ghz for processors? The champ of the build contest claims he OC'd his i7 920 to 3.3 Ghz and I was wondering how he did it.

[QUOTE=Pacmaney;18925800]All right, so I'm assuming the $60 price difference isn't worth the %1 performance increase? EDIT: This computer is part of a build contest my buds have once every 3 years, there are two categories and I entered the heavyweight (which means it's best for under 2.5 grand). Winner gets the computer paid for, I felt that I might as well go all in. EDIT EDIT: Since this thread is active I might as well ask this question as well. How does core clock and memory clock translate to actual Ghz for processors? The champ of the build contest claims he OC'd his i7 920 to 3.3 Ghz and I was wondering how he did it.[/QUOTE] Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that you change the bus speed and voltages to overclock. You don't have to change the voltages, but if you want to overclock very high above stock without ruining your CPU you change voltages. I'm not very educated in overclocking so that's all I can contribute.

you can change CAS in the bios manually but usually it requires you to lower the clock

[QUOTE=ghostofme;18928033]Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that you change the bus speed and voltages to overclock. You don't have to change the voltages, but if you want to overclock very high above stock without ruining your CPU you change voltages. I'm not very educated in overclocking so that's all I can contribute.[/QUOTE] To add to this. There is also a multiplier which with the bus speed you get the final clock (ex. 200mhz bus x 12 multiplier = 2800mhz or 2.8ghz). Sounds like your champ overclocked as far as he can without touching the voltages. 3.3ghz is a pretty mild OC for the 920. On good air cooling you should be able to reach 4.0ghz or at least close to it.

I've seen people using the CoolerMaster V8 and got to 3.8GHz, easily.

[QUOTE=Pacmaney;18925800]All right, so I'm assuming the $60 price difference isn't worth the %1 performance increase? EDIT: This computer is part of a build contest my buds have once every 3 years, there are two categories and I entered the heavyweight (which means it's best for under 2.5 grand). Winner gets the computer paid for, I felt that I might as well go all in. EDIT EDIT: Since this thread is active I might as well ask this question as well. How does core clock and memory clock translate to actual Ghz for processors? The champ of the build contest claims he OC'd his i7 920 to 3.3 Ghz and I was wondering how he did it.[/QUOTE] So you have a budget of 2.5k American? How much have you used so far?

[QUOTE=Pacmaney;18925800]All right, so I'm assuming the $60 price difference isn't worth the %1 performance increase? EDIT: This computer is part of a build contest my buds have once every 3 years, there are two categories and I entered the heavyweight (which means it's best for under 2.5 grand). Winner gets the computer paid for, I felt that I might as well go all in. EDIT EDIT: Since this thread is active I might as well ask this question as well. How does core clock and memory clock translate to actual Ghz for processors? The champ of the build contest claims he OC'd his i7 920 to 3.3 Ghz and I was wondering how he did it.[/QUOTE] That sounds like so much fun. I wish I had the money to do that with my friends.

Yeah, it would be good fun!