Memory purchase suggestions

[Rez]

Im looking for a 2x2GB PC8000+ Kit for my new build which will be on a DFI LT X48-T2R (rest of the details under "Rez's PC Specs").

Originally I was planning on the new Corsair 8500C5 2x2GB kit, but I missed them 1st time round (few weeks back now) and availability has been nonexistent (UK) since.

So I've come up with 4 possible alternatives, and would appreciate any input on them or other suggestions. My main concern is compatability, and ive tried to stick with choices that I've read others have got working well and with manufacturers that regularly feature on DFI's recommended list. The 4 I've found so far:

1)OCZ 4GB Kit (2x2GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 Reaper Memory HPC Edition Dual Channel

2)4GB G.Skill 1066MHz DDR2 Dual Channel Memory Upgrade Chips 8-layer PCB

3)4GB Team Xtreem Dark Series DDR2 PC2-8500 Dual Channel Kit

4)4GB Mushkin DDR2-1000 XP2-8000 Redline Memory Upgrade Chips

All help much appreciated.

[Clunk]

I think there is some kind of compatibility problem with the OCZ 4GB reaper kit and they need reflashing before they will work.

The others I haven't used, but as they are all pretty much the same, I would go for the one that offers the best warranty to you perhaps

Edit: Teamgroup RMA turnaround can run into months.

[GSte]

Probably the Mushkin as it's cheapest, but I don't think they have a UK based RMA service unfortunately. Crucial do and they have the Ballistix Tracer Red that has an EPP for 500MHz 5-5-5-15 so will do it out of the box.... don't know how much it is at the moment though. As Clunk says, most 4GB kits that are PC6400 cas4 or PC8000 cas5 will do the same speeds, so personally I'd have whatever's cheapest or you like the look of most. Got a feeling the Team has to be RMA'd to Taiwan or somewhere in Asia!

[Rez]

Thx for the advice guys.

Well RMA to Taiwan for Team and possibly to the US for Mushkins doesn't sound like fun

Looks like I will start to shortlist from the PC6400 C4 choices also.

[GSte]

They pretty much all use the same chips as far as I can tell, Powerchip iirc, the Crucials use Micron's own version but they do virtually the same speeds, so take your pick really..... Clunk has the Geil Black Dragon and I think he said they hit 500MHz cas5..... they can be had for about £60 I think and they have fancy LEDs too.....

[karateo]

Hi!
First post

I am also going to buy some 2x2Gb and I am between these two
I have to decided to buy one of these two for my Lanparty P35 UT

removemehttp://www.awd-it.co.uk/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=3787
removemehttp://www.awd-it.co.uk/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=1616

I wonder which one will overclock more.
The OCZ get a thumb up cause it's 100% percent compatible with my board.

I can't find any real reviews with overclocking results.

Do you have any idea what they can do?

[GSte]

Never seen any 4Gb kit that can go past 550MHz as far as I can recall......

The OCZ stuff people have had problems with, see the second post in this thread.... just been reading about someone on another forum having this issue too....

The Patriot I have never seen before. Looks nice though with those heatspreaders.... If you want RAM that's going to do insane speeds I think you still need to get 1GB sticks of Micron D9 based stuff......

[edit] oh, and welcome to the forums mate!!

[Rez]

I settled for some crucial PC6400 C4. RMA to scotland sounds good

Couldnt find the non Tracer versions (lots of places had the red ones, but i dont fancy LEDs on ram, and besides I think classic yellow on ballistix suits the LT X48 colour scheme ) anywhere other than from crucial themselves:

BL2KIT25664AA804 - 4GB kit (2GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM , DDR2 PC2-6400 from Crucial.com

[Clunk]

The crucial RMA turnaround is genrally very good, but those sticks are hideously overpriced compared to others that are available. Performance is pretty much identical too.

[Rez]

Yeah Crucial choices didnt seem great value for money on the whole, and direct from themselves even less so. I settled on the ram choice once most peoples feed back was that compatability wise it was all much of a muchness. And after my RMA experience on my LT X48, suddenly that shot up as a priority. Live and learn I guess.

I couldnt find the non tracer version anywhere else, and I dont really like the aesthetics of the lights, together with the fact that I read that the tracers have some heatsink problems, so I had to settle for a direct purchase. I assume that if the other eTailers do eventually get hold of these that they will sell for considerably cheaper.