What budget DDR ram would you buy?

Audiofight

Platinum Member
May 24, 2000
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I am going to order my whole combo tomorrow morning:

Athlon XP 2100+ T-Bred retail (or higher if Newegg doesn't get them back in stock)
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
GF4 Ti4200 128MB (MSI, or Asus model, ???)
(2) 256MB PC3200 sticks of who-knows-what

That is my question:

Does anyone have experience with Geil ram or some of the other budget brands that Newegg has listed? I am curious if I can shave a little money off the total price by not spending over a $100 a stick for this, maybe save like $40 total between them. That would allow me to order the rounded cables and window kit I want.

Any suggestions?
 

Awakened2002

Member
Feb 7, 2002
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GF4=Leadtek, it comes with ram sinks and nice hsf. Ram=Corsair XMS, i have a stick of 512MB PC3200 and works great for me so far. I've read mixed results with Geil so far, so i went with Corsair
 

tbates757

Golden Member
Oct 5, 2002
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GEIL makes very good memory modules, I would put their offerings on par with Corsair and Mushkin. As for GF4, I would say MSI as it overclocks really well.
 

Audiofight

Platinum Member
May 24, 2000
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Thanks for the suggestions......

The ram is all I was asking for, but I am going to say screw budget memory and go with Corsair XMS TwinX 512 MB (2 256 MB) PC3200

It is pricey ($225, but that is $112 per stick).
 

pelikan

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2002
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I also have an A7N8X. I was considering the TwinX too, so I'm a little jealous that you are getting it. I decided to save money by getting two sticks of Samsung pc2700 at NewEgg for $60. each. I'm at 200 fsb, but Cas 2.5, 3, 3, 6. I'm consoling myself by thinking that I wouldn't notice the difference of Cas2 anyways.
 

chizow

Diamond Member
Jun 26, 2001
9,537
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Originally posted by: audiofight
Thanks for the suggestions......

The ram is all I was asking for, but I am going to say screw budget memory and go with Corsair XMS TwinX 512 MB (2 256 MB) PC3200

It is pricey ($225, but that is $112 per stick).

: Droooool; :confused:

I want the 1gb TwinX! :Q

Anyways I guess its too late, but I scored 512MB of Samsung Original True PC2700 through those PNY deals. Paid ~$60 for 2 sticks. Was gonna suggest you try your luck with that route. But you'll be happy with that RAM, 'sposed to rock :)

Chiz
 

Audiofight

Platinum Member
May 24, 2000
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I was going to buy the Kingston HyperX 256 MB sticks, but Newegg already ran out....

So, my TwinX will arrive on Friday morning and I will definitely be posting some scores.

Here's the official order:

Asus A7N8X Deluxe
Athlon XP 1800+ T-Bred .13u (retail)
Corsair TwinX 512MB PC3200 (2 x 256)
Asus GF4 Ti4200 128MB AGP8x card


Pre-modded Antec side panel w/ vented window kit for my SX830
 

Audiofight

Platinum Member
May 24, 2000
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The crucial is good stuff, but.......

Cas Latency of 2.5 (TwinX = CL 2)

Also, only rated at PC2700 (TwinX rated at PC3200 w/ aggressive memory timings)

I want tight memory timings, even if I am only running my DDR400 at 380 or something. Memory timing can be critical in system performance. But, you guys know that already.
 

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
10,053
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I'm a firm beliver in Specification and Documentation Control, been with performance systems too long.
The JEDEC is the controling organization that specifies what requirements must be met to certify Semiconductor components
for use in Computer system. There are specifications and requirements for PC2100, DDR 266 and for PC2700, DDR333.

There is NO Specification for anything above PC2700. Not PC3000, not PC3200, not PC3500 - NOTHING !
The RAM manufacturers are in the most part overclocking the PC2100 or the PC2700 to where
they are guessing the number would be - IF there was any such thing.

The Quality manufacturers Crucial and Samsung together make about 75% of the worlds output of RAM.
That leaves the remaining 25% to be made by the other 3 companies that can afford the technology to
even produce the components that become the individual Chipsets that comprise a RAM stick.

Rip off the Heatspreaders on the OZC, GIEL, even some Corsair and 'Low and Behold - Samsung'
Pick up other brands and look at the chipset markings - how often do you see Samsung or Micron (Crucial) ?

Do you think that either Samsung or Crucial are really selling their Premium Chipsets to their competition?
Re-screens and second-screens you bet!, but not Prime Commodities. Thats thier deal.

Knowing that a Samsung or Crucial SECOND on an "Other" Circuit Card will perform above the
JEDEC specification, assures me that the Samsung or Crucial GENUINE product will do as well - or better.

READ AND HEED

Seems like this comes up every other week.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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Crucial = quality budget memory.
it's more expensive than generic, but alot cheaper than the likes of Corsair.

Crucial/Micron for sure.
 

Wuzup101

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2002
2,334
37
91
Crucial has always OCed well for me w/ agressive timings.... I think I'm gonna pick up a T-bred 2100 this weekend w/ an nforce2 board (probably the abit), and possibly 2x512mb sticks of crucial pc2700... Should make a well rounded workstation.
 

Wind

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2001
3,034
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I've seen Kingston value w/ Winbond chip. Seems a good buy. Chk out ur local store if they carries this batch.