PC memory

[alintatoc]

I have an Asus M4A78-EM motherboard and I would like to buy 4gb of memory
I have two choices and I would like to know which one is better and why?
Also, can both fit the specifications of my motherboard?

1. Kingston 4GB PC6400 (800MHz) DDR2 CL5 ValueRAM (Kit of 2)
2. Kingston 4GB PC6400 (800MHz) DDR2 CL6 ValueRAM (Kit of 2)

One more thing, is it any difference if I buy 2 sticks of 2gb, Kingston 2GB PC6400 (800MHz) DDR2 CL6 ValueRAM?

Thanks in advance!

[TJohns]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_timings

and I'd imagine 2 sticks marginally better than 1 as they can be used in dual-channel (interleaved) mode for slightly better performance

[alintatoc]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_timings

and I'd imagine 2 sticks marginally better than 1 as they can be used in dual-channel (interleaved) mode for slightly better performance

So you would probably go for the 2 sticks right?

[craigarta]

Well it depends if you want ECC or non-ECC ram

There is also this option as well from Crucial

the CL5 is non-Ecc and the CL6 is

But you would need 2 sticks according to Eggheads

DDR2 1066*/800/667

*Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+/AM3 CPU for one DIMM per channel only.

[alintatoc]

Well it depends if you want ECC or non-ECC ram

There is also this option as well from Crucial

the CL5 is non-Ecc and the CL6 is

But you would need 2 sticks according to Eggheads

DDR2 1066*/800/667

*Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+/AM3 CPU for one DIMM per channel only.

What's the difference between ECC and non-ECC?

I want 800MHz not 1066

[craigarta]

ECC memory is only really beneficial if you're going to be processing massive amounts of data (like a server does) and all data needs to be 100% accurate. ECC memory is not normally needed for home systems, but is commonly used in server computers.

I realize that you want the 800, but I saw the other posts saying 1 stick.

[alintatoc]

ECC memory is only really beneficial if you're going to be processing massive amounts of data (like a server does) and all data needs to be 100% accurate. ECC memory is not normally needed for home systems, but is commonly used in server computers.

I realize that you want the 800, but I saw the other posts saying 1 stick.

Anyway, I think all 3 are quite the same, not much difference, so probably either one will be ok right?

[craigarta]

The only other consideration is the price and the performance of the ram.
Other than that not that I can see.

[alintatoc]

The only other consideration is the price and the performance of the ram.
Other than that not that I can see.

any experience with a-data memory?

[lordsmurf]

I'm not a fan of A-Data anything.
My A-Data 16GB CompactFlash is terrible.

[alintatoc]

I'm not a fan of A-Data anything.
My A-Data 16GB CompactFlash is terrible.

In what way?
How about Kingston?

[usually_quiet]

In general, all other things being equal, the lower the CAS latency (CL), the better. Assuming that both types of Kingston memory are on the tested memory list, get the one with the lower CL number. 2 sticks are better than one if your board supports dual-channel mode.

[alintatoc]

In general, all other things being equal, the lower the CAS latency (CL), the better. Assuming that both types of Kingston memory are on the tested memory list, get the one with the lower CL number. 2 sticks are better than one if your board supports dual-channel mode.

I think it does, because I've used 2 sticks before also.
Here is a link with my motherboard: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=0KyowHKUFAQqH2DO

[classfour]

www.oempcworld.com is where I source most of my RAM. Price is reasonable, shipping is cheap, and I've never bought a bad stick. Not as chancy as buying off ebay.

[PhoneMatt]

I've also got to recommend www.oempcworld.com for memory. Great prices and very, very good customer service. If you have any questions, they are more than happy to answer them for you.

[usually_quiet]

In general, all other things being equal, the lower the CAS latency (CL), the better. Assuming that both types of Kingston memory are on the tested memory list, get the one with the lower CL number. 2 sticks are better than one if your board supports dual-channel mode.

I think it does, because I've used 2 sticks before also.
Here is a link with my motherboard: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=0KyowHKUFAQqH2DO

Looking at the link, it does support dual-channel mode, so 2 sticks are better than one.

If you are not over-clocking, not doing a lot of video encoding, and not gaming for hours on end, Kingston Value RAM will most likely be OK. Otherwise, memory sticks with heat-spreaders would be preferable.

I bought Kingston Value RAM DDR3 for a different motherboard. It does come with a limited lifetime guarantee in the US. I don't know what applies in Finland. (Well, I'm assuming "FI" stands for Finland rather than the Falkland Islands, which was the other location listed for the same letters.)

[alintatoc]

In general, all other things being equal, the lower the CAS latency (CL), the better. Assuming that both types of Kingston memory are on the tested memory list, get the one with the lower CL number. 2 sticks are better than one if your board supports dual-channel mode.

I think it does, because I've used 2 sticks before also.
Here is a link with my motherboard: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=0KyowHKUFAQqH2DO

Looking at the link, it does support dual-channel mode, so 2 sticks are better than one.

If you are not over-clocking, not doing a lot of video encoding, and not gaming for hours on end, Kingston Value RAM will most likely be OK. Otherwise, memory sticks with heat-spreaders would be preferable.

I bought Kingston Value RAM DDR3 for a different motherboard. It does come with a limited lifetime guarantee in the US. I don't know what applies in Finland. (Well, I'm assuming "FI" stands for Finland rather than the Falkland Islands, which was the other location listed for the same letters.)

Yes, you are right, I am living in Finland. kingston memory has lifetime warranty, as I remeber. What does limited warranry means?
Actually I think the ram is ok for me, I don't play games on pc and I don't use video processing software so value ram should be ok.
It's good that my motherboard supports dual-chanell mode, then I will buy 2.

[usually_quiet]

What does limited warranry means?.

"Limited" means that there are conditions placed on the warranty. Examples are: The waranty can't be transferred from the original purchaser. The warranty only covers failure due to manufacturing defects, not failure caused by improper use of the product or a natural disaster.