Decent RAM that won't break the bank

[sisooktom]

Ok, I'm building an A64 3000 based system soon, and I would like some input on what RAM to get. I'm basing the system on the Chaintech VNF-250. My priorities are in this order: Quality, Price, Performance. I may decide to play with a slight OC eventually, but not right away, and I don't want to pay big $$$ for uber-RAM that I can run at 275Mhz or anything like that. I'll probably start with 1 512MB dimm and add another shortly thereafter. I just read an article on THG about A64s not always being able to handle DDR400 speeds when using 2 double sided dimms. Anyone have any comments/experience with this?

 

[Brian48]

I haven't had any problems with the Buffalo brand of DIMMs in my VNF3-250. Seems to o/c well, but then again my two DIMMs came with Winbond BH5 and CH5 respectively. It's my understanding that Buffalo is currently using Micron and Samsung now that Winbond is out of the memory chip business.

Of the "value" brands, I've had good results with Mushkin "basic green" and Kreton.

 

[Matthias99]

I ended up going with Geil when I upgraded my system (this RAM -- I actually got the PC3500 dual channel kit, which as far as I can tell is the same stuff, just speed-binned for CL2.5 at DDR433). Cheap (relatively), and works like a champ at CL2 DDR400, although it does NOT overclock as well as the good stuff from Crucial/Kingston/Mushkin. It also doesn't help that my MB can't give it nearly enough voltage (it's rated up to 2.95, I can only go to 2.7!) without a hardware mod.

I've also heard good things about Mushkin and Kingston's "Value" lines, but haven't used either.

 

[mamisano]

A-Data has been the "IN" memory lately (especially over at Overclockers.com), with low prices and very high speeds. I picked up 2 sticks of 512MB PC4000 from NewEgg, they run $108 shipped per stick.

 

[Ionizer86]

Kingston Valueram 2700 is always good. That stuff almost always works at 3200 speeds, and with 512MB available retail for $70 or less on occasion, it's a deal!

 

[Pixle]

Their was a "Hot Deal" a couple of days ago for Kingston 512mb ram for 25.00 + Tax = 33.00$.

That is, after a pricematch and rebates. Look for this again, might still be going on.

Anyway...how do you get this ram to perform at 3200 levels?