System memory, do brand names really matter?

[Pearman]

I am looking for a P133 128mb memory for my Duron 650@750 w/GeForce2 MX video card. I plan to do some moderate gaming, and Ive noticed there is a MAJOR price difference between brand name and generic memorys. At pricewatch I can get the memory I want for about $40, but the same thing is also on sale from Microsoft for $75 to $100? Oh, on a side note, what specs should I look for? Thanks.

 

[Noriaki]

If you get RAM running at 133Mhz 2-2-2 and it's stable performance will not be any different if it's cheapo generic, Mushkin rev3 or Kingmax TBGA PC150.

The differences are that good name brand has a better chance of being stable, especially at higher speeds for use in overclocking.

Damn man 256MB of Micron -75 RAM is like $260 canadian. That's about $170US for 256MB! How cheap do you want it? The -75 is only CAS3 @ PC133 but it's still good quality RAM. If you don't plan to overclock you're probably safe with Generic.

 

[Dulanic]

You can pick up 2 sticks of PC133 CL2 128MB at www.crucial.com/webpromo thats good quality RAM and you can get it for about $150 free shipping.... its worth the extra money IMO expecially if you turn up your FSB.

 

[Pearman]

Hmm...thats still a tough one. I plan to overclock my 650 duron to about 750, and I think I'm going to toy with my graphics card a bit because Im getting a cheap MX. Those are the only things I plan to toy with though. What do you think?

 

[RabeaticSquirrel]

Would you buy a Neon or BMW? Name usually, not all the time, but usually, yields higher quality chips and components used on those chips, result = higher operating frequencies. But every once in a while you see a souped up Neon zooooooommmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg buy.

 

[Pearman]

I'm on a serious budget, so I think I'm going to go with the cheapest I can find, unless I can get at stick I want at around $50. If anyone knows where I can get a stick of P133 128mb ram for around $50 (brand name), I would REALLY appreciate it.

Yeah, I know, its not gonna happen. Dont make fun.

 

[Noriaki]

Sorry about that, but overclocking your Duron by Multiplier doesn't count because that doesn't affect the memory's operating frequency. Overclocking for P3s or Celerons or if you happen you up for FSB on a Duron (not very common) is where the better memory comes in.

 

[Pearman]

Thanks Noriaki, that's what I really needed to know. However, I have found some brand name sticks at around $50 on pricewatch, because prices are DROPPING a LOT for some reason right now. Anyway, in my price range I can get a Zeus, Micron Electronics, Primier, Kingmax,or Apacer Memory. Which of these is the best?

 

[Pearman]

^

 

[office boy]

Kingmax, Apacer, and Micron are all good brands. (carefull with the micron though, alot of the time, it's a generic dimm with Micron chips. (Thats still generic memory)

 

[Pearman]

what dimm should I look for?

 

[office boy]

I'm partial to the kingmax myself.

 

[Pearman]

so dimm means brand? I thought it was a number.

 

[office boy]

dimm is the whole thing (er dual inline memory modual?) and then there are chips that go on that.

 

[Pearman]

Thanks, I really appreciate it!