Plz help me pick some RAM

[nombrecinq]

I'm highly considering this combo:

AMD64 3800+ Venice
ASUS A8N-E
ATI x800xl (I already bought this)
Antec P180
Some sort of Antec PSU

What's good memory for this system? Can somebody also please explain dual channel RAM and how that works?

 

[SrGuapo]

How much do you need (512MB, 1 GB, 2GB)? Are you planning on OCing? Do you want the fastest possible RAM with no regard to price? Do you want good quality value RAM?

For a budget PC, I would recommend any value RAM (corsair or mushkin are good choices). You will only spend $80 for 1GB. Of course they won't OC well, but whatever...

If you get a board that will support higher RAM voltages, you could get some VX or redline memory. That stuff can do 2-2-2 timings at 250 MHz if you can give it ~3.5V... The only boards that supply this much are the DFI Ultra-D (and SLI) and Abit Fatal1ty AN8 (which runs for $185, no way).

If you can't supply that many volts, Any TCCD (or the newer TCC5) is your best bet. OCZ Platinum Rev. 2 is great stuff for Ocing.

Of course, all of this depends on my first questions and your budget...

 

[nombrecinq]

I really don't know about overclocking, because I want a pretty stable system. The least amount of RAM I'll have is 1GB, and maybe 2GB eventually if needed. For the budget, I'm flexible but I want good stuff for a good deal. If I don't OC then what's fast RAM for a setup like that? Thanks!

 

[SrGuapo]

If you are not OCing at all, any valuue RAM will serve you fine (look at corsair and mushkin - $80 for 1GB). You could get some expensive RAM with better timings, but you would see a much bigger improvement elsewhere with that money.

You could probably save some money by getting a Chaintech vnf4 ultra motherboard. The only feature it lacks is onboard firewire IIRC... Still a great board and it runs for around $90.

BTW - you can overclock and still have a stable system. My system (in my sig) is 100% stable is all the apps I have tested: Games, Prime95, SuperPI, memtest, 3Dmark, PCmark, n-bench, etc.

 

[Sentry2]

This is a good deal

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
This is a good deal

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
This is a good deal

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

I agree completely.

 

[nombrecinq]

So if I want good performance in BF2 that means I'll buy 2 packs for 2GB. Is there any other RAM that's a bit more expensive that I might consider? I used to buy only Crucial so how is Ballistix? Thx!

 

[angstsoldat]

Patriot, 1 gig sticks, timings 2-3-2-5 .. $113 per stick

 

[paperfist]

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
Patriot, 1 gig sticks, timings 2-3-2-5 .. $113 per stick

Do you know how well that will overclock?

I was going to purchase some Corsair XMS 1GB sticks @ CAS2 but I heard it won't run on AMDs at CAS2 only on Intels.

 

[angstsoldat]

Originally posted by: paperfist

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
Patriot, 1 gig sticks, timings 2-3-2-5 .. $113 per stick

Do you know how well that will overclock?

I was going to purchase some Corsair XMS 1GB sticks @ CAS2 but I heard it won't run on AMDs at CAS2 only on Intels.

Haven't a clue. It just looked like good timings. Is it Is the patriot bad for overclocking?

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy

Originally posted by: Sentry2
This is a good deal

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

I agree completely.

I agree too.
There was a good Mushkin 2x512 MB kit on NewEgg last time i looked too, but i can't find it today.
It was ~$80 too.

 

[paperfist]

Originally posted by: angstsoldat

Originally posted by: paperfist

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
Patriot, 1 gig sticks, timings 2-3-2-5 .. $113 per stick

Do you know how well that will overclock?

I was going to purchase some Corsair XMS 1GB sticks @ CAS2 but I heard it won't run on AMDs at CAS2 only on Intels.

Haven't a clue. It just looked like good timings. Is it Is the patriot bad for overclocking?

No clue either... I was also eyeing it because of its nice specs and some of the other Patriot RAM (512MB) did well at PC Stats when they reviewed and o/ced it.