I tried this on the General Hardware forum, but got no response except one telling me that I'd have better luck here. So here goes. I am going to be building a new computer with an Abit IC7-Max3 motherboard and a Pentium 4 2.8c processor. Right now I am not sure what memory I should get with it. I am getting one gigabyte of Corsair XMS, but I am not sure if I should get PC-3700, PC-3200LL or PC-3200LLPT. First of all, what is the difference between the platinum and black heat spreaders and which is better? Secondly, if I am going to be using this system for gaming and probably a little overclocking, but not much, which of these will be the best? Thank you in advance.

Not sure exactly what the letters after 3200 mean, but PC3700 has got to be faster than any PC3200 RAM no? I'd just go for the fastest rated RAM u can get ur mits on!

I'd go with 3200LLPT. You are not going to OC a lot, so 3700 is not necessary and its timings are not as good as the 3200LL. The 3200LLPT actually can OC quite a bit at its stock timings. The difference between black and platinum heat spreader is the heat dissipation, the platinum is better than the black (anodized aluminum I believe) but not too much. 3200LL has timings like 2-2-3-6 while 3200C2 has 2-3-3-7. But 3200LL can run at 2-2-2-5 in some mobo like my NF7-S at FSB 200.

"Not sure exactly what the letters after 3200 mean, but PC3700 has got to be faster than any PC3200 RAM no?" PC3200 ram gets higher scores than PC3700 everytime. Check out the top scores here to see what is being used: www.theocshrink.co.uk

Appologies, try the direct link: www.theocshrink.co.uk/t5.htm