Difference between brand names of RAM

[luv2kruz]

What is the different between the different brand names for RAM. I am looking at a new system and it has the following choices. Is there any performance difference? What would you pick and why?

Base - 1 GB GEIL value Ram
Option1 - UltraX (+133)
Option2 - Kingston HyperX (+133)
Option3 - Corsair XMX (+57)
Option4 - Corsair XMX Pro (+93)

Thanks.

[Faustus]

The Hyper and XMX's and such will be lower latency usually. Of course you'll want to check the actual latency because different manufacteres have different ideas as to what "low latency" actually means. Value RAM usually means either CAS3 or CAS2.5 which is by no means low latency (LL usually means CAS 2).

The CAS is not enough thought to tell you how low the latency is. Often you will see the full speed code listed as 2-3-6. And sometimes even in a four digit format like 2.5-3-3-6. Without digging real deep into the subject in general the lower the numbers the better the RAM

Don't forget to pay attention to the actual brand name also, I'd take a Gig of low latency Kingston or Corsair over XYZ brand anyday.

Newegg is usually pretty good about listing the actual speed of the RAM they sale, I'd start there.

[glockjs]

there's only a few company's that actually make the chips...samsung being one of the biggest which corsair uses. from what i have been reading OCZ and Crucial are the ones out performing everyone.

[mrtristan]

I use this as a rule of thumb, when I buy any computer part. I never buy the totally unknown brands, that are too cheap to be true. If I'm building a budget computer, the parts I never skimp on are the RAM and motherboard. I'd rather have brand name RAM and a reliable motherboard and go with a slower cpu and smaller hard drive. I would actually nix some peripherals as the first cost cutting measure, but you get the point.

[offline]

I always buy Kingston Value Ram. The day I have
an incompatibility problem is the day I'll switch
to Corsair. I hate troubleshooting memory problems

[Faustus]

I always buy Kingston Value Ram. The day I have
an incompatibility problem is the day I'll switch
to Corsair. I hate troubleshooting memory problems

Kingston is very good stuff, but Corsair is as good if not better in the low latency line. I took a chance on my G5 and purchased SimpleTech memory, so, I had heard of them before and knew they were lifetime warranty. So far I'm fairly pleased, of course one batch of memory is hardly the test of a entire brand.

SPeaking of the actual chip manufactuers, a ways back I had a Stick of Samesung G4 (it think it was G4, maybe G3) RAM. NOt its not for macs, at the time I was seriously high end stuff, It was unoffically rated at like PC150 or something like that. I paid a TON for it.

[offline]

I paid a TON for it.

Remember the memory crises when the
Japanese resin factory caught fire?
I had a photo of a mate holding $20,000
worth of straws in just one hand. Phew!

[Faustus]

I paid a TON for it.

Remember the memory crises when the
Japanese resin factory caught fire?
I had a photo of a mate holding $20,000
worth of straws in just one hand. Phew!

Yup yup yup. Bad times. 4meg ram upgrade? Unaffordable!

[Spicuzza]

luv2kruz wrote: "What would you pick and why?"

Usually the CPU maker and/or motherboard maker recommends several types/brands of memory.

I'd use what's recommended.

[mujahid7ia]

Yeah, check the mobo forums/ mfg site. nForce mobos in particular are pick w/ memory depending on mfg.

[luv2kruz]

The mother board that I am planning on is an ASUS A8V DELUXE VIA K8T800 MAINBOARD and the CPU is a Athlon 3500+.

Sorry, I'm a newbie to this sort of stuff so I have no idea what "latency" is. I did get some more info on the RAM off the manufacturers websites. How much of a difference in actual performance that I can feel or is this a campatibility/stability issue only?

Geil Value Ram - CAS 2.5 6-3-3 @ DDR400MHz PC3200
Corsair XMS- CAS 2.5-3-3-6
Corsair XMS Pro - 2.5-3-3-6
Kingston Hyper X -2-3-2-6-1
Geil Ultra X - can't find specs

Looks like for +57 bucks more, the Corsair XMS is a reasonable choice. Not sure the +133 more for Kingston Huper X is worth it?

Would you guys agree?

[glockjs]

the best ram you can buy right now...period. you can leave it how it is or you can overclock to stupid speeds


http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-890&depa=1

[Spicuzza]

luv2kruz wrote: "How much of a difference in actual performance that I can feel or is this a compatibility/stability issue only?"

Regarding the first part of your question, you're not going to feel or even be able to tell the difference between top of the line ram or bargain basement, not by human perception. Sacrificing unnoticeable speed for compatibility/stability is the better way to go. The "blue screen of death" always pops up at the most in opportune times.

Go with the RAM, if possible, that's recommended by both AMD and ASUS.

My 2 cents.

[lordsmurf]

I'm using Samsung.
Most RDRAM manufacturers were high grade companies. It's server-grade RAM. You never caught somebody like Kingston making the good stuff.

For my other computers, I bought whatever was on sale.

I don't think it really makes much difference. RAM is one of the few things I've never had die on me.

[offline]

You never caught somebody like Kingston making the good stuff.

Now that statement makes you look silly at best.

I don't think it really makes much difference. RAM is one of the few things I've never had die on me.

AH ok.

[Faustus]

I'm using Samsung.
Most RDRAM manufacturers were high grade companies. It's server-grade RAM. You never caught somebody like Kingston making the good stuff.

For my other computers, I bought whatever was on sale.

I don't think it really makes much difference. RAM is one of the few things I've never had die on me.

Good ram plays a huge difference along with the PSU for the overall stability and smoothness of your system. It took me many years to learn my lessons on those products but now that its sank in I consider them VERY VERY important.

As far as never catching kingston making the good stuff, they are an excellent manufacter of memory. One of the best, they just tend to over charge because they are more of a "Retail" memory along with PNY who also makes pretty good RAM. Thankfully kingston seems to have sorta learned this lesson and has more comparable prices these days.

[Capmaster]

I bought a bunch of "generic" RAM years ago when I volunteered to upgrade about 8 Pentium 75s, 90s, 120s and 133s in the office to Pentium Pro 200. I bought according to price alone.

I figured I'd do it in my spare time at work and save the department the $150/hour SC support billing.

I bought a bunch of motherboards from TYAN, a stack of Viper 770 video cards, a box full of CPUs, and away I went.

None of them worked :P Some MBs would see half the memory, and error all over the place. Some didn't see any.

Turns out that Tyan MBs are a bit picky about memory and I didn't read their memory compatibility chart. They list Corsair and a few other brands as being their choice.

Sooo ...I reordered Corsair and sent back the "Joe's Memory Company" crap. They worked fine After that experience I only buy Corsair.

[mujahid7ia]

Go with the RAM, if possible, that's recommended by both AMD and ASUS.

ditto

[offline]

Go with the RAM, if possible, that's recommended by both AMD and ASUS.

ditto

By which you mean Kingston, amongst a few others

1 - recommended by ASUS inhouse
2 - Approved AMD list by CMTLabs

[mujahid7ia]

Go with the RAM, if possible, that's recommended by both AMD and ASUS.

ditto

By which you mean Kingston, amongst a few others

1 - recommended by ASUS inhouse
2 - Approved AMD list by CMTLabs

Yes, but you should check the forums for the specific model of Kingston RAM to get. I learned this the hard way.

[luv2kruz]

I checked the ASUS website and they listed the Corsair memory as compatible with the motherboard. So, again, I think that the +$57 upgrade from the the generic RAM is a good compromise between stability/compatibility and cost.

Thanks guys.

[offline]

Yes, but you should check the forums for the specific model of Kingston RAM to get. I learned this the hard way.

Of course, and this is even more important with
AMD now with the 939. And buy all memory
sticks in a package upfront rather than plan
to update later.

[dxj40c]

I've bought 'cheap' and 'brand name' RAM and basically it comes down to compatibility with the MB and other RAM you may already have. I always opt for the one that has a "Lifetime Guarantee", if it doesn't work or fails, it's a lot easier to exchage.

Usually the difference between 'first-class' and 'questionable' is about $10. I've never had RAM fail (cheap or brand name) after installing and running. It has either worked at the beginning or not.