Torn in the name of RAM :(

[PhiQuanTu]

I'm looking at upgrading to 8gb of RAM (from 4gb) for my m17x R2 now since the price has gone down significantly. However, I'm confused on the different type of DDR3 memory (PC3 10666 vs PC3 10600). So actually which type should I choose? Or it does not matter at all?

Also, I've narrowed down to the two RAMs. Which one do you personally think is better?

OCZ $175 - $20 MIR = $155 (9-9-9-20 timing)

G.Skill $160 (9-9-9-24 timing)

Everything else are the same on these two memories. I've read in forums that G.Skill has better reputation than OCZ in memory. But OCZ in the presented options is cheaper and has better timing. Which one should I shoot for, folks?

Thanks for your time.

 

[alaricljs]

On the first point the difference between 10666 and 10600 is that one is Satan and the other isn't... no seriously. It's a matter of some companies being concerned that having 666 in the product name/description/anywhere is "bad"

As to which one? erm, tough. If it wasn't for a laptop I'd ask if there were a voltage difference, but I think laptops don't get to fiddle with volts. I'd go with the OCZ for the better timing more than for the money. Check the warranty period for both, maybe that will decide for you?

 

[PhiQuanTu]

Thanks, alaricljs. OCZ was my first choice also....until I read more about memory in this forum and it seems like most people in here prefer G.Skill. That makes me wonder a little bit. Is OCZ likely to fail than Corsair or G.Skill?

 

[alaricljs]

On the desktop the G.Skill is very competitive with OCZ on all points and most often takes lower voltages to do it. The lower voltage is the winning factor since lower volts means less heat and stress on the device. Also means that you can generally get a better OC on it since you're starting at that lower voltage.

 

[woodchuck69]

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline
10666 9-9-9-24
$154.99, free shipping, no rebate to deal with

 

[alaricljs]

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline
10666 9-9-9-24
$154.99, free shipping, no rebate to deal with

Umm, that's not laptop RAM.

 

[woodchuck69]

Oh yeah, in that case:

Mushkin Enhanced
PC3 10666
$179.99
Free shipping, no OCZ to deal with.

 

[alaricljs]

no OCZ to deal with.

And again you're not telling us what your issue with OCZ is. I haven't had any issues with them, I don't know of any issues they haven't addressed within the warranty period. So what's up?

 

[woodchuck69]

 

[fffblackmage]

I'd go with the G.Skill just to avoid dealing with an MIR. The timing difference doesn't matter much, and it's too small to really be of any significance.

 

[alaricljs]

Why the change of heart? You're confusing me.

 

[PhiQuanTu]

What are some of your past experience with G.Skill support? I checked out their website and the support forum is broken. I see a list of foreign names and contact number in Taiwan? Do they have a U.S.A. contact number? How promptly are they in responding to emails or processing RMAs? The website kinda make me think that it's a family business....

 

[bamacre]

Just get two of these and be done with it...
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=W1066SB4GV

 

[Blain]

Why don't you list the rated voltages of the two options?
That has more impact on determining quality than timings.

 

[alaricljs]

I've never seen variance in laptop RAM voltages...

 

[PhiQuanTu]

I've never seen variance in laptop RAM voltages...

Right. I believe they are all 1.5v

 

[tweakboy]

My dads Pentium D rig had OCZ memory go bad on him 800Mhz speed. OCZ has great warranty and procedures but is probably likely to fail because it gets hot with those timings and users provide no cooling for the RAM so it goes bad.

My advice is keep a fan on the RAM insert them in tightly and nicely and they should live forever pretty much,, alah DNF,, hmmm no phun,,

 

[Throckmorton]

Whoa.. RAM is up to 10666mhz now?

 

[Blain]

Get the G.Skill and don't look back.

 

[PhiQuanTu]

Ok, I'm f$cked......Newegg just removed the $20-off coupon for this particular G.Skill memory. Damn it!!! I tried to talk them into giving it to me since it was still there yesterday - there's no difference if I bought yesterday or today. But they said NO.

*sigh*....I guess I gotta make decission quicker next time

Thank you all for responding to my questions, I greatly appreciate it

 

[fffblackmage]

Whoa.. RAM is up to 10666mhz now?

10666 MB/s, not MHz. DDR3-1333 == PC3-10666

Ok, I'm f$cked......Newegg just removed the $20-off coupon for this particular G.Skill memory. Damn it!!! I tried to talk them into giving it to me since it was still there yesterday - there's no difference if I bought yesterday or today. But they said NO.

*sigh*....I guess I gotta make decission quicker next time

Thank you all for responding to my questions, I greatly appreciate it

It's ok. There will be more deals sooner or later.