*HELP!* A8N-SLI: CHEAP RAM question.

[TheNiceGuy]

I am building my first system. I have already ordered all the parts (3000+, 6600gt[single], etc), but the Hynix RAM I ordered was out of stock. I can track some more down (I live in Japan right now), but was thinking of other cheap RAM I could use that will not totaly destroy my system (no OCing).
I understand no-brand will probably not work? Should I only choose brands from the ASUS QVL? Or if I find another brand with the same QVL-approved chipset, would it work?

 

[buckZor]

It appears everyone with TCCD chips is having good luck. OCZ PC-3200 Plat Rev2 EL is apparently the best stuff on the planet. I cannot speak from experience yet, waiting for the scene to settle a bit.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Yes, I realize that thank you. However, as I mentioned, I want cheap RAM. Where I live, the OCZ costs over $350, out of my budget. I can get Hynix for half that.
I am interested in other cheap alternatives. And I understand that the Winchesters don't rely on low latency RAM as much anyways.
So my only alternatives are exactly RAM mentioned on the QVL, or anything with TCCD (expensive) chips?

 

[ts3433]

Probably not--see if you can get Corsair, Crucial, or Mushkin there cheaply. These are analogous to a Visa credit card in terms of acceptance.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Actualy, I can get some value Corsair or Kingston quite cheap, but the QVL here:
http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/qvl/A8N-QVL.pdf
lists the Corsair as a dud for 2/512 sticks (which I want), and the Kingston for 4/512 (which I may do down the road). I can also get the Samsung stuff cheap (TCCC), but it says CL 4 in the QV list, which seems pretty bad. I mean, I can buy no-name stuff at CL 2.5 for half that price! Thats why the Hynix (cheapest, CL 3, 1/2/4 channel all approved by QVL, and DDR 500 possible) seemed good.

WAAA!

 

[joelslaw]

I'd write hynix and ask them (or some ram vendors post lists on their website) Ram vendors tend to update their lists more often. Mobo makers don't seem to update their lists too often, and I've noticed asus is one of the worst.

Edit: Wow, that's post makes me sound retarded! I re-worked some of the wording before posting, and forgot to proof read

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: joelslaw
Mobo makers don't seem to update their lists too often, and I've noticed asus is one of the worst.

I thought something was weird... what the hell doesn't accept Corsair?

 

[joelslaw]

yeah, it's kind of irritating, but you learn to work around it. :roll:

 

i'm running 2x512 meg of corsair valueselect Ram (vs1gbkit400) on my a8n-sli deluxe board with no problems.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

But in that QVL above, they specificaly aprove Corsair for single and quad channels - not dual.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

OK.
I'm starting to get desperate and freek out.
HOw about this ADATA PC4000 (DDR500) 512MB. 2 sticks in dual.
http://216.239.37.104/translat...memory/adata40512.html

 

[twitchee2]

wait u cant use just any ddr333/400 ram in the a8n-sli mobo?

 

[gobucks]

my PQI turbo DDR500 worked just fine. PQI uses most of the same chips as Corsair, OCZ, etc. so i imagine it will work just fine. BTW, my 1GB DDR500 kit only cost me $180 at newegg, quite a good deal if you ask me, so it's definitely worth looking into. I went with the CAS 3.0 vs. the CAS 2.5 because of the $50 difference.

 

[joelslaw]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
But in that QVL above, they specificaly aprove Corsair for single and quad channels - not dual.

that's not quite true. look beside where it says corsair, see the model names? That means those exact models are (or aren't) approved. Corsair makes A LOT of different models! that is why it's best to write the ram maker and tell them exactly which model ram, mobo, # of stick, etc. you intend to use. They can usually tell you if it's compatabile. Seriously, like I said before you can't really trust the QVL too much, especially those from asus. (of corse if the list says a specific model will not work, you can trust that, but the lists just don't get updated too often)

 

[TheNiceGuy]

I read different on another site. Corsair et al give compatablity lists based on specs - not tests. So Only testing (ie ASUS) in dual and quad will tell if it will work. And, yes, ASUS hasn't tested everything.
Anyway, I'm running out of time on my holidays, almost all pasts are here and I haven;t even chosen RAM yet. I'll just start buying cheap crap and hope it works

BTW: if I try RAM out (and it is unstable), can I return it?

 

[SMatson]

I'm just building mine and got Kinston ValurRAM 512X2 because the QVL said it would work. Hope it does. Anyone using it?

Scott

 

[Uglor]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
But in that QVL above, they specificaly aprove Corsair for single and quad channels - not dual.

i built an a8n-sli system and i have no problems with my old Corsair Valueselect kit VS1gbkit400 (512megx2).

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Thx Ug-
But the only stuff I can get here is the stuff specified on the QVL...

 

[TheNiceGuy]

What about 'bulk' RAM labeled as 'Hynix Original RAM'? There is a lot of that kicking around for a decent price. Is it the same as stuff in a Hynix box? And will the same QVL chipset under a different name (as happens a lot in Japan) be the same as the QVL list? For example, IODATA RAM with a Samsung chipset?

 

[TheNiceGuy]

!help!

 

[skreet]

If a motherboard is that picky, it's not a good motherboard