Getting RAM: Kingston HyperX vs. ValueRAM?

[inhuman]

I've been looking at Kingston* 184pin DDR400 deals to up my memory and, Value Ram and HyperX prices are quite close to each other in my area, so I concluded that I could just as well opt for HyperX. However, I'm not sure if I can use HyperX sticks and if I will benefit from HyperX over ValueRAM.

Looking at Kingston website, I found out that timing for current DDR400 HyperXs (KHX series) is 2-3-2-6, and the timing table in my board's manual appears to support those ( here is the table ). So I'd think I can use these but I'm just not sure.

What do you think? Additionally, is there anything else I should know when getting HyperX memory? I saw some threads about problematic HyperX memories and Kingston revisions on these rams, so anything I should pay attention to before getting a HyperX?

*: Kingston, because I already have Kingston memory installed in my system, so I intend to build on them with matching pairs (a KVR+KVR - KHX+KHX or quadruple KVR for dynamic dual channel setup).

 

[Atheus]

The HyperX is for overclocking I think, so even though they are only rated at 400Mhz, they will likely run much higher speeds with a bit of tweaking. The value stuff will not have so much headroom.

Will you be overclocking your front side bus? The slight timing improvement alone will not make much, if any real world difference, and you could probably set the value RAM to those timings anyway if you really wanted - almost all RAM will take *some* tweaking.

 

[inhuman]

I am thinking about overclocking but I haven't made up my mind for sure. Stability and low temperatures are important for me. So, what I'm most interested in with HyperX is the heat spreaders, and that should be all the better if finally decide to overclock. Apart from that, I'm concerned about getting an older, un-revised problematic HyperX stick or finding out the hard way that my board doesn't support those properly. In technical specification update of my board, it says 2.6V tolerant. I'm not sure what to make of this. Does HyperX memories consume more power, so much so that my board may fail to feed it?

 

[inhuman]

shameless bump

 

[mechBgon]

Fancy RAM like the HyperX often needs extra voltage to run stable. The "vanilla" ValueRAM is probably your better bet for stability, especially if you're going to be running 4 modules in the system, and also if the system doesn't give you manual memory-voltage tweakability. Stock voltage, slacker timings. Ignore the heatspreader aspect.

 

[programmer]

Post your motherboard model #, and check the manual if there are any special requirements or issues with memory. Usually, the ValueRAM is fine, and is in fact more likely to meet the various RAM specs (JEDEC or something?). For example, Intel brand motherboards often are very strict that RAM must meet the specs, e.g. 1.8V CAS 5 for DDR2. High performance motherboards are more lenient and allow higher voltages for overclocking and lower latencies (for less risk of cycle overruns/higher perf. while overlocking)

All that said, DDR is all pretty much standard and safe. DDR2 is having some "growing pains" as far as adherence to specs on the one hand, and extreme performance on the other.

 

[Zepper]

I've had bad luck with KVR. I've had to RMA every one that I've had here at least once and one was DOA. I'd buy the better ones if not much more $$. You may be able to run the fancy ones at standard timings on lower voltage if your mobo doesn't have a good range of settings available. You'll just have to play around with the manual RAM timing settings.

Also a couple of fellows in the FS/T section here are selling some Corsair and Mushkin sticks at nice prices - I bought a mis-matched pair from one of them and they are running fine in dual channel mode. Most modules have lifetime warranties and they generally don't check for 'proof of purchase' so it's a pretty safe buy. One of them is Haygar and the other is Gusty987. If those aren't for you, just post a WTB: listing and you'll likely get some hits.

.bh.

 

[inhuman]

Ironically, my mainboard is Intel D865GLC and yes, it's JEDEC. However, I looked at the manual and specification updates of my mainboard again, and it says JEDEC revision 1.0, so I found the DDR400 JEDEC 1.0 revision documentation on Intel's website. Take a look yourself if you want:

http://developer.intel.com/technology/m.../ddr/specs/ddr400_spec_rev1_public.pdf

There is too much data for me to process and understand, but I at least found out that JEDEC 1.0 revision supports DDR400 only at CL2.5 and CL3 and that eliminates all HyperX CL2 models but one single model that is CL2.5 at DDR400 at up to 2.7V (Boy will I ever get an Intel board again!). The timing for that one is 2.5-3-3-7 and luckily my mainboard supports that timing setup. As for KVR, I know I have no problem with those as I've been using one pair without problems.

So now my choices are pretty limited. I'll either get a pair of HyperX at 2.5-3-3-4/7 or ValueRAM at 3-3-3-4/7. At least I can safely set tRAS to a minimum of 4 with both.

I will now also look other brands, but if I end up going for a Kingston, the price difference I have between KVR and KHX is like 5$, kind of insignificant once you're going after a 2GB kit over 100$, so what would you do? While at it, you can suggest 1GB/2GB Non-ECC CL2.5 RAM from other brands as well

 

[Zepper]

Intel mobos are for stability, not OCing. You can run fast modules at lower timings and perhaps lower voltages. Save having to get a new mobo. IOW, if it will run at CL2 it will also run at any slower setting. The higher voltages are usually to allow for the faster clocking. The Corsair I got that requires 2.75 for rated speed ran fine at the 2.5V and slower timings that my KVR was set to and also at 2.65. I have them at 2.70 now but I'm thinking of dropping it back to 2.65 - no sense heating them up if I'm not running them at rated clock and timings.

.bh.

 

[inhuman]

Well then I wasn't wrong thinking that running an Intel CPU on an Intel board has gotta be more stable than anything else when I was first getting this mainboard years ago. I don't believe it will run at CL2 if specification updates and revision are anything to rely on. "Officially", CL2.5 and CL3 are my options for DDR400, but I can just as well try to set CAS to 2 to see if it works.

If I don't go with Kingston, I think I'll go with one from these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...08477%201052507867&bop=And&Order=PRICE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...2407862+1052308477+1052507866&name=2.5

I haven't ever heard of most of the brands there. Any suggestion like "X has gotta be good" or "stay away from this one"?

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: inhuman
Well then I wasn't wrong thinking that running an Intel CPU on an Intel board has gotta be more stable than anything else when I was first getting this mainboard years ago. I don't believe it will run at CL2 if specification updates and revision are anything to rely on. "Officially", CL2.5 and CL3 are my options for DDR400, but I can just as well try to set CAS to 2 to see if it works.

If I don't go with Kingston, I think I'll go with one from these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...08477%201052507867&bop=And&Order=PRICE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...2407862+1052308477+1052507866&name=2.5

I haven't ever heard of most of the brands there. Any suggestion like "X has gotta be good" or "stay away from this one"?

I like these Most of those are pretty good though. My top 3 are Crucial, Patriot, and OCZ others are just fine also, but for my biased opinion I like them.

 

[programmer]

Crucial, FTW. The crucial site suggests CT2KIT12864Z40B (2GB kit) and CT2KIT6464Z40B (1GB kit).