***New RAM***

[tristanic]

So this is my new gaming build and the last thing I need (so my credit card hopes) is some RAM. I see OCing as the most probable upgrade path in the future for me so please keep that in mind. I'm just not sure what would be the best and most compatible with my system.

It is mainly a gaming rig and I've already bought or reused the majority of it. No preference in brands and more looking at Crysis and COD4 gamingwise.

Here are a few I found but am open to any and all suggestions (especially deals you might know about). I would like to keep it around $80 - $100 but willing to go higher if it's justified:

$100 OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066

$93 CORSAIR DOMINATOR with DHX Technology 4GB PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066)

$93 OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066

$90 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)

Thought I would toss in a cheapie too:
$70 CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

---------------------------------
What I have: Let me know if you think I need to upgrade anything else.

HSF: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
PSU: Corsair 750W TX750W ATX12V
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz
GPU: Two Sapphire 4870s ? enroute
HDD: 2x 74GB Raptors 1x WD 640GB
HSF: Ninja
Monitor: FW900
Mouse: MX510
DVD: hp dvd40 lightscribe dvd/cd
Case: Lian Li PC-65 Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower
Keyboard: G15
Speakers: Klipsch 5.1 promedia ultras
OS: Vista Professional
Sound card: Audigy 2 zs Platinum

Well, I do hope that I got all the information you guys needed. Thanks for all your help!!

 

[Goldfish4209]

Any of those would be good. If you want to spend extra on DDR2 100/1066, go ahead, but I haven't heard that it's a big performance boost.

 

[egale]

The Corsair Dominator is probably great memory if it works. I ordered it for my new build, and it caused immediate blue screens in Windows, even on the install. Swapping memory with a different brand cured the problem immediately.

I emailed Corsair for an RMA explaining what was happening and that I had tried auto and manual settings to get it working. It took them 2 days to respond and then were reluctant to do the RMA. They wanted me to try the memory in a different machine first and then start running memtest.

I didn't have the time to play like that so I bought new memory and RMA'd the defective ram back to Newegg.

I am sure it was just bad luck but I would not buy Corsair again just because of how long it takes to get support.

 

[DSF]

The G.Skill DDR2-1000 is probably the best choice if you intend to overclock the E8400 past 3.6Ghz. If not, then any decent DDR2-800 will do just fine.

 

[GMon]

I have heard a lot of good things about the G.Skill DDR2 1000 and their DDR2 1066. I ended up going for these Mushkin's for my new build (P5Q Deluxe, E8500) and it was shipped out today. It has some new type of heatsinks that allow for some good/stable oc'ing for instance running 1150Mhz 2.0v bios on a rampage formula. Anyhow they are a bit over your budget but Mushkin does have some other cas 5 1066 ram and a very nice, well rated set of DDR2 1000 Redlines.

 

[egale]

I replaced my defective Dominators with those very same Mushkins. Ordered directly from Mushkin and got them today. They work great!!! Popped them in and off they went. No BIOS changes needed except I manually set voltage and timings. They are running at 1066 5-5-5-15 with no problem at all. Glad I got them.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: GMon
I have heard a lot of good things about the G.Skill DDR2 1000 and their DDR2 1066. I ended up going for these Mushkin's for my new build (P5Q Deluxe, E8500) and it was shipped out today. It has some new type of heatsinks that allow for some good/stable oc'ing for instance running 1150Mhz 2.0v bios on a rampage formula. Anyhow they are a bit over your budget but Mushkin does have some other cas 5 1066 ram and a very nice, well rated set of DDR2 1000 Redlines.

Sweetness.

I want a review w/ pics, overclocking results, stability testing, & the works

I'll settle for max OC @ CAS 4 & 5, & some screenies if you're lazy

 

[n7]

G.Skill DDR2-1000 $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145

Mushkin DDR2-800 5-4-4 1.8v $65 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731

OCZ DDR2-1000 $57 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227280

Those are your best cheaper options IMO.

But truth is, there are a ton of great 2x2 GB kit in the ~ < $100 range you can get.
Anything DDR2-1000 to DDR2-1066 will do you very well, & ensure you'll never be limited in OCing your CPU.

 

[tristanic]

Thanks for all the advice so far. So seeing as it's not really a low end build I don't mind splurging a little more and finishing it off with some decent ram. So we have the mushkin XP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 recommendation for $115 after rebate at newegg, any other suggestions/links. As I know very little about OCing I am happy to get what you guys suggest! Anyways, last time I bought RAM $180 for 2 gigs was a great deal! Thanks again!

 

[DSF]

All of the RAM that's been suggested is decent stuff. I would get the G.Skill kit from n7's post above if you're overclocking, and the Mushkin kit if you aren't. If you're not overclocking buying fast RAM isn't going to affect system performance.

 

[GMon]

Originally posted by: tristanic
Thanks for all the advice so far. So seeing as it's not really a low end build I don't mind splurging a little more and finishing it off with some decent ram. So we have the mushkin XP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 recommendation for $115 after rebate at newegg, any other suggestions/links. As I know very little about OCing I am happy to get what you guys suggest! Anyways, last time I bought RAM $180 for 2 gigs was a great deal! Thanks again!

No worries ...on the Mushkin forums, Mushkin is based in the good ol' USA by the way in Colorado, there is a forum admin named Greg. He is very good about answering any questions you have including over clocking. He seems very, very knowledgeable.

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: GMon
I have heard a lot of good things about the G.Skill DDR2 1000 and their DDR2 1066. I ended up going for these Mushkin's for my new build (P5Q Deluxe, E8500) and it was shipped out today. It has some new type of heatsinks that allow for some good/stable oc'ing for instance running 1150Mhz 2.0v bios on a rampage formula. Anyhow they are a bit over your budget but Mushkin does have some other cas 5 1066 ram and a very nice, well rated set of DDR2 1000 Redlines.

Sweetness.

I want a review w/ pics, overclocking results, stability testing, & the works

I'll settle for max OC @ CAS 4 & 5, & some screenies if you're lazy

I'm still waiting for my memory to be delivered. The 1150Mhz 2.0v on the Rampage Formula was done by Greg of the Mushkin forums. Here is his test results...just scroll down a bit.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: GMon
I'm still waiting for my memory to be delivered. The 1150Mhz 2.0v on the Rampage Formula was done by Greg of the Mushkin forums. Here is his test results...just scroll down a bit.

Ah, i'd thought those results were yours, but i misread.

Still, want to hear your results

Originally posted by: tristanic
Thanks for all the advice so far. So seeing as it's not really a low end build I don't mind splurging a little more and finishing it off with some decent ram. So we have the mushkin XP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 recommendation for $115 after rebate at newegg, any other suggestions/links. As I know very little about OCing I am happy to get what you guys suggest! Anyways, last time I bought RAM $180 for 2 gigs was a great deal! Thanks again!

If you don't mind spending a bit more, the Mushkin 1066 stuff would be lovely.
Seems to be cheaper now, but i don't want to link as apparently newegg shifts prices up automatically if many people view :roll:

I try very hard not to be biased, but i'll admit, i will always buy Mushkin over others if the price is reasonable, as quite frankly, you cannot beat the support as far as i am concerned.