RAM Suggestions

[Fosil]

I'm running a Celeron 1100 Tualitan clocked at 1617 (11*147), at default voltages on an ASUS TUSL2-C.

I would like to upgrade my RAM to 512 Megs (168 pin SDRAM).

Here are my local options:

Kingston : 256 and 512 sticks
Micron : 256 and 512 sticks

Any opinion on which is better Kingston or Micron / 256 sticks or 512 in terms of overclocking and stability???

Thanks in Advance!

Fosil

 

[CaptnKirk]

Micron owns CRUCIAL, and it is premium memory - you can but direct from them
Kingston is not the best that's out there.

 

[Technonut]

Kingston is not the best that's out there.

That depends.... I just received 2 512MB PC2700 sticks of Kingston Value RAM. On the nice 6 layer black PCB is Winbond W942508BH-6 chips. (The same used on Corsair XMS 3200 Rev. 2.1) With a lifetime warranty, and $139.49 per 512MB stick, it was a steal.

Both sticks (separately) run 424 MHz 2-7-3-3 (Enhanced) in my ABIT IT7 @ 2.7V. So do not dismiss Kingston as an option.

EDIT: I was mistaken... The RAM is running @ 428 MHz. FSB @161 / 3/4 ratio / 214 MHz x 2 = 428.

 

[Squibby]

I'd trust Micron/Crucial much more than Kingston. While some Kingston sticks may be good, Crucial has a much better track record. Crucial also has free shipping if you buy it direct, but since prices just went up (on DDR at least), it might be better to get it from a local vender (or other online retailer), since they probably paid a lower price for it when they bought it a week or two ago.

A note about using the same chips as Corsair: Corsair has really strict quality controls, so they only use the best chips from a given manufacturer. So, using the same chips as Corsair doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be just as good.

Squibby

 

[Technonut]

A note about using the same chips as Corsair: Corsair has really strict quality controls, so they only use the best chips from a given manufacturer. So, using the same chips as Corsair doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be just as good.

I agree on the Corsair QC, but in a few DDR RAM shootouts I have read that included either Corsair or OEM RAM with Winbond W942508BH-6 chips, the Winbond always came out on top. I realize that I only purchased 2 sticks, but for both of them to run at 428 MHz 2-7-3-3 out of the box, is pretty damn impressive to me.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Mull this over

 

[Technonut]

Interesting review CaptnKirk. I will see if I can find the other shootouts that I read showing the Winbond BH-6 leading the pack. Like I said, I did only purchase 2 sticks. They were not "cherry picked" just straight off the e-tailer's shelf. The Winbond chips shown in the review that you linked are not BH-6 chips either, so for the reviewer to state that Kingston Value RAM only uses AH-6 chips is misleading.

As Kingston DDR333 make use of Winbond W942508AH-6 memory chips,

I have known that the AH-6 chips are not good OC'ers, and would not have purchased them.

The RAM that I purchased was advertised as PC2700 Winbond W942508BH-6. I had no idea that it was Kingston Value RAM until it arrived. I have sticks of Corsair XMS 2700, XMS 3200 Rev. 2.1 (Winbond W942508BH-6 chips), and XMS 3500 (Winbond Rev. B chips). The Kingston performs just as well as my Corsair XMS 3200 Rev. 2.1..... Very well. From the Corsair House of Help Forums

XMS2700C2 rev 1.3 = Samsung rev D 6ns rev 2.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3000C2 rev 2.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3000 rev 2.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3200C2 rev 1.1 = Winbond rev B 6ns
XMS3500C2 rev 1.1 = Winbond rev B 5ns

The above are chips that Corsair currently uses in the XMS series. Corsair uses the best chips that will stand up to their rated speed and warranty. It appears that Winbond Rev. B chips fit the bill. I do not see them using Micron or Samsung for their high end sticks.

EDIT: So the only thing to "mull over" is to stay away from RAM with Winbond AH-6 chips.

 

[RalfHutter]

If anybody cares, cdrExpress is selling the 512MB Winbond "W942508BH-6" sticks of RAM for $139 right now. A pretty good deal for a 512MB stick of PC2700 RAM nowadays.

I just ordered some to play around with. I'm currently using 2 x 512MB of the Corsair XMS3200c2 in my rig. These sticks are running at DDR400, CL 2.5-3-3-7. I'll see how the same sticks, w/o heatspreaders and not "hand-picked" will stack up with the Corsair sticks.

 

[Technonut]

RalfHutter, That is where I purchased mine. Great deal.

Just to quote the Corsair rep: (linked above)

(Question) Any reason for Winbond vs. others?

Answer: They're faster than anything else right now. That doesn't mean that's not going to change this week or next though. We constantly look at what all the IC manufacturer's are producing and will switch IC's if/when we find something faster that we can consistantly get.

 

[Blain]

The TUSL2-C uses PC-133. Your DDR brothers mean well but...
Check the "ns" rating on the 512mb sticks you can get. The lower the nano second rating the better it will OC. It will be the last single or double digit at the end oc the "chip" number, NOT the "module" (stick), number.

-8 = not so hot
-75 = better
-7 = better still
-65 or -6 = ROCKS

Your ASUS 815EP chipset may or may not operate with "high density" memory. To play it safe get regular/low/medium density memory.
FAQ's

 

[Technonut]

Thanks Blain, this topic did stray off course.... I would look at both PC133 sticks offered since Fosil is buying locally. I would make a choice depending upon the type of chips used and NS rating on the Kingston. I would seriously consider the Kingston if Mosel Vitelic or Infineon chips were used. They were the best RAM chips that I used in my PC133 days. The OEM Mosel Vitelic performed just as well as the Mushkin High Performance.

EDIT: Mosel Vitelic / Crucial Review

EDIT: Another PC133 RAM Round Up to see if the Kingston has these chips.

 

[THUGSROOK]

SDram? wow its been awhile....

last year i used to have kingmax pc150 (2x 256mb) running @ 176mhz :Q
(p4 1.5/p4b/132fsb/3:4 ratio)

awesome stuff that kingmax ~ some corsair i tried couldnt do it

BTW: 512mb SDram sticks are slower then 256mb sticks