Is there really any good reason to get super expensive Corsair/Mushkin RAM?

[Yossarian]

I'm speccing a new system--

Athlon 64 3000/3200
Chaintech ZNF3-150

I can get 2 x 512MB Crucial DDR PC3200 CL3 5 ns for $170 shipped.
2 sticks of 512MB Corsair XMS PC3200 is $255, and Mushkin's is even more expensive.

Do you think the performance increase/enhanced overclocking ability is worth it? I will probably do a mild overclock, I've never had any problem getting a little extra out of Crucial. Looks to me like the cost far outweighs the benefit for "performance" memory but maybe I'm missing something.

 

[egale]

CLS 3 is very slow. If you want to overclock, I would invest in better memory. If you won't this will probably do.

 

[JBT]

The main thing to look for with the A64's is the memory's timings crucials PC3200 has CAS 3... which isn't to good. I have not really seen any reviews that I belive that show the PC3200 OCing to well either... if I were you I would look at some Buffalo sticks which are cheaper by like 20 bucks and should be able to OC high ier and have better timings.

 

[nitromullet]

I have Corsair 3500 in my rig and I have never gotten it to run at the stock quoted speed of 434 MHz at 2-3-3-7. It will not even boot at that speed. Granted I have 4 sticks installed and this is the quoted speed for a single stick. I'm not going to say that the RAM is a rip off, but I might lean back towards Crucial/Micron RAM again on my next purchase. I decided to give the highly praised, expensive RAM a try this time, and I just haven't gotten much more out of it, then again, I have mixed feelings (and results) in regards to OC'ing in general.

--

Nitromullet

 

[zodder]

have you tried upping the dimm voltage?

 

[Yossarian]

ok, my research continues. what do you think about this?

Corsair PC3200 2-3-2-6 1T for$255?

Is there any particular benefit to going to PC3700? Higher bandwidth but CAS drops to 3.

(BTW Corsair has an awesome memory tutorial here.

 

[Markfw]

Kingston Hyperx PC3500 CAS2, $129 for 512 meg. You won't be sorry, and some people HAVE had problems with slow or inadequate memory on the Athlon64 systems.

 

[Yossarian]

Kingston looks interesting... I don't understand why one stick of 512 is $129 on the 'egg but the dual pack is $276??

 

[Viper96720]

I don't think the mild overclock you get with A64 makes a great enough difference to do it.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Viper96720
I don't think the mild overclock you get with A64 makes a great enough difference to do it.

My suggestion was for stability first, and OC second. I have read here about people having problems booting using cheap PC3200 CAS3 or 2.5. Just my personal experience with this CPU and this memory are very good, so do what you will, just inputing food for thought.....

 

[JBT]

The dual pack costs a little bit more than double because it is guaranteed to work in dual channel at its rated speed while the single sticks aren't but probably still will.

 

[Viper96720]

If you want to overclock check out the Muskin Level II ram. It has the Winbond BH-5 chips that overclockers like.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

it's such a small performance difference between cas2 and 3 at those speeds anyway, I'd go with the less expensive memory, and just get more of it, or maybe an upgrade to faster video card and/or a raid setup for your hdds.