DDR2-800 PC2-6400 Memory Buying Advice: Corsair, mushkin, G.Skill, Patriot, OCZ

[troutinator]

Okay, time for a quick memory showdown, rebates are running out fast!

All kits are 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) and priced withen $15 of each other:

• Brand and Model (timings) listed-voltage -- RebateExpires
• CORSAIR XMS2 (4-4-4-12) 2.1V -- April 23
• mushkin (5-5-5-12) 1.8V -- April 20
• G.SKILL (4-4-4-12) 1.9V-2.0V
• Patriot eXtreme Performance (4-4-4-12) 2.2V -- April 30
• OCZ Platinum Revision 2 (4-4-4-15) 1.9V-2.1V -- April 30

Let's get started, I'm looking for the most bang for my buck. Since they are all priced to move its all about OC'ing. I'm pairing them with an ASUS P5N-E SLI NVidia 650i and a E6420 (when they come out in a week or so) which I plan to OC as high as I can stabely with a Thermalright Ultra-120.

Also, any scuttle-butt on memory prices falling a ton by mid-May?

 

[gramboh]

First figure out what you are trying to achieve for an OC in terms of memory. I can't remember what the multiplier is on the 6420 but for my situation I knew I want my E6600 (9x266=2400) to run at 3.2 or 3.4. The easiest way was to drop the multi to 8 and run 400 or 425 FSB which means DDR2-800 or DDR2-850. Once you know this, you can decide if you need the best memory to handle tight timings at 800 or if you need more OC headroom. My OCZ Platinum Rev2 runs at DDR2-850 with 4-4-4-15 timings no problem, which is all that I need to ask of it. OCZ always warranties 2.25V (2.2 +/- 5%) with their EVP warranty which is nice.

 

[Snagor]

I wouldn't worry about rebates running out fast, they will just reissue them after the previous one expires, and perhaps for more dollars. Memory prices are still trending downward, and that's what's important.

 

[integramodder]

Did you end up with the OCZ?

How is it working?

 

[integramodder]

I've heard that corsair is generally a very good company to go with. Should I go with Corsair or OCZ? The Corsair is only 4 bucks more...