advice on RAM please

[froggbr]

Hi

I'm trying to decide on a spec for a new PC. I used to be up to speed on all this stuff, (courtesy of anands and Toms) but haven't bought a PC for years and my knowledge is as out of date as my PC is now.

I'm particularly confused about RAM. If I'm going for an AMD, its worth getting an AM2 mobo, rather than 939? yes? DDR2 RAM is worth getting is it? And frankly I'm confused about the different ways that ram speeds are specified (Mhz vs PCXXX). Is it still the case that for best performance with DDR you want your RAM in two seperate sticks? And how important are timings vs rated speed? In particular which of these two options (roughly same price) would be preferable:

1GB OCZ Gold XTC Series DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
Original Branded Memory
PC2-6400 - 800MHz
Timings: 5-5-5-12

1GB OCZ Gold Series DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
Original Branded Memory
PC5400 - 667MHz
Timings: 4-4-4-12

Thanks for any RAM related advice.

 

[Bobthelost]

Depends, are you overclocking and if so why are you going for AMD?

 

[KingofFah]

you probably want to give a price range, and yes, why are you going AMD? No one will, or should, criticize you for your choice, but, since you have been out of the loop for a while, we want to make sure you are sure about your choice for AMD.

Brand new setup? No previously used parts? Most would go with Intel if from scratch.