Best RAM for me?

[NecroSen]

Lookin for a recommendation as to which brand of RAM I should go with. I have two sticks of 256 MB 400mhz DDR PC3200 currently installed with a third slot empty, and that one I'm lookin to fill with a stick of 512 to begin with. A long ways down the road I might consider going for a few 1GB sticks to replace the 256. (I am into gaming mostly, so I want this thing to last)

I've used the BeLarc Adviser tool to get information on my system:

System Model
ASUSTeK Computer INC. A7N8X-X REV 2.xx

Processor
2.15 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP (NOTE: it's the 3000+)
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Main Circuit Board
Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. A7N8X-X REV 2.xx
Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A7N8X-X ACPI BIOS Rev 1009 02/03/2004

The computer was built by Ibuypower.com, kinda went for price but tried not to skimp on it too much. The original mobo was faulty when I got it, so when they replaced it I don't know if it was the same model as originally intended, but it works fine now.

So, what brand of RAM would you folks recommend? Price isn't too much of an issue right now.

 

[Harvey]

There are XP 3000+ CPU's with both 333 MHz and 400 MHz FSB's. Your motherboard supports RAM both CPU's and RAM up to 400 MHz. You didn't say which you have.

I'll leave it to others to say whether you'll gain anything by going to 400 MHz RAM if your CPU has a 333 MHz FSB, but Asus specs some compatible RAM at the above link.

 

[Malladine]

OCZ, Corsair and Crucial are generally considered the best RAM manufacturers. That said, I have to say there are many more which all perform perfectly well in both speed and stability. Kingston, Mushkin, Buffalo, Geil, Apacer. They're all fine in my book.

I personally have used Crucial and Apacer exclusively so far.

 

[NecroSen]

I can't be sure what speed the motherboard's working at: I don't have any information left over from when I bought the thing. That 333 looks familiar, though. I got the system made last July, so if that puts it in a useful timeframe, there ya go.

Thanks for the recommendation, Malladine. Last I checked on the Ibuypower site, the selection for manufacturers listed Geil as a generic, Corsair and Kingston as seperate. If I guessed, I'd say my current RAM was made by Geil.

I'll look into Corsair, then. Thanks again.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: NecroSen
I can't be sure what speed the motherboard's working at: I don't have any information left over from when I bought the thing. That 333 looks familiar, though. I got the system made last July, so if that puts it in a useful timeframe, there ya go.

Thanks for the recommendation, Malladine. Last I checked on the Ibuypower site, the selection for manufacturers listed Geil as a generic, Corsair and Kingston as seperate. If I guessed, I'd say my current RAM was made by Geil.

I'll look into Corsair, then. Thanks again.

My mom's system has that same motherboard you have and I hooked her up with some Corsair value RAM and it works fine. :thumbsup:

 

[CheesePoofs]

The cheapest stuff you can find that's from a name brand company.