Best 8GB RAM for $70?

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

I was about to start purchasing all, or most of my parts for my build, and I noticed the RAM i had selected didn't have very good reviews (must have changed within the past day or so!).
If it helps, here is the build ($600 budget, including OS):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.99 @ Mac Mall)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman ZM-T1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($27.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $610.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-11 02:03 EDT-0400)

Is there another RAM that I might be able to find for the same price that's better, or should I not read so much into those reviews on the one I have in my build?

dustinhunt78 · Mar 11, 2014

I know that you said under 70 dollars, but for only 17 dollars more you can get some VERY good RAM. Corsair Vengeance is very highly rated and respected. The kit below is 8GB (2x4). It's worth the extra 17 dollars.
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Desktop-Memory-CML8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B00569K7LM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1394518161&sr=8-4&keywords=Corsair+Vengeance+8gb

But just in case you absolutely cannot spend more than 70 dollars, the following is very good RAM as well. Look at the customer reviews. Consumers have nothing to lose or to gain, so they typically give a good account of the product.
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modules-1600MHz-Non-ECC-Desktop/dp/B0057Q4ADU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394518440&sr=8-1&keywords=8gb+ram

Good luck with the RAM!

jnewegger23 · Mar 11, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl7d8gbxm
Lower cas latency (8) and just $10 more

Someone Somewhere · Mar 11, 2014

Top of this.

There's very little reward for going beyond DDR3-1600 CL9.

Rest of your build looks pretty good, though I'd get a different PSU. Corsair cheaped out on the caps in the CX series, so it might fail early. Look for something 350W+ from the second link in my sig.

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

dustinhunt78 :

Cool thanks! So, the "Kingston Hyper X Blu 8 GB (2x4GB Modules) 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 XMP Desktop Memory" would be fine using with my current build, correct?

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Yeah, actually, after I posted the build on here, I did change it. I think I'm going to get the "EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze" instead, unless someone else has another, better, or more affordable yet good quality psu suggestion...lol. What do you think of the EVGA one?

dustinhunt78 · Mar 11, 2014

Kev79 :

dustinhunt78 :

Cool thanks! So, the "Kingston Hyper X Blu 8 GB (2x4GB Modules) 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 XMP Desktop Memory" would be fine using with my current build, correct?

Yes. It will work quite well. It is a very good product for the money and would be a very nice match in the proposed system.

Someone Somewhere · Mar 11, 2014

Most Kingston RAM is 1.65V - avoid that, as it voids the warranty on your CPU.

The [strike]Patriot[/strike]Crucial stuff you've got should be fine, though. Newegg reviews tend to be quite a poor source of information, as there's a huge amount of selection bias going on. I'd try to get low profile stuff, but it's not a major issue.

envy14tpe · Mar 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Totally Agree. Lots of Kingston 1600MHz RAM is 1.65V, do not buy that. Only buy 1.5V RAM if it is 1600MHz.

dustinhunt78 · Mar 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

This model is 1.5 volts.

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Yeah, you're right, I looked it up and it is 1.65v. I was in fact keeping an eye on that when looking for it, but when I clicked on his link, that little bit of info is not listed on Amazon! Screw it, I keep getting too many different answers, maybe I'll just stick to what I had!

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

dustinhunt78 :

I looked it up on newegg, but now I realize the part# was slightly different. Where does it say the one you suggested is 1.5v? I couldn't find that info on the link to Amazon anywhere

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

dustinhunt78 :

Well, I found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CKfm64r1ib0CFYN0OgodvSMADg&Item=N82E16820104301&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Desktop+Memory-_-N82E16820104301&ef_id=UuGdhwAAAC@AA@I4:20140311070331:s

Is it two 4gb sticks or just one 8gb stick though, 'cause the picture on the link above makes it look like it's just one, and I wanted to go with the two 4gb sticks

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

So, the one that you were suggesting where you said "top of this", is the "AVEXIR" one right?

Someone Somewhere · Mar 11, 2014

Whichever ones are at the top - it's just set to sort by lowest price, for 1.5V DDR3-1600 (or more), CL9 (or less), and 2x4GB.

I'd probably pick the next one down, which is what you've got already (the Crucial).

envy14tpe · Mar 11, 2014

Kev79 :

dustinhunt78 :

Well, I found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CKfm64r1ib0CFYN0OgodvSMADg&Item=N82E16820104301&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Desktop+Memory-_-N82E16820104301&ef_id=UuGdhwAAAC@AA@I4:20140311070331:s

Is it two 4gb sticks or just one 8gb stick though, 'cause the picture on the link above makes it look like it's just one, and I wanted to go with the two 4gb sticks

That one is fine. It's $10 less than others. And it is 1x8GB. Thats fine.

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

And as far as the PSU, that list you have is pretty impressive, but also overwhelming. The only one I found so far from glancing through it quickly, was an EVGA 430w 80+ for $39.99. I wanted to try and stay as close to my original price as possible. Not sure if there's any better options in that list.

envy14tpe · Mar 11, 2014

The non modular Corsair CX430 lists for $20 after rebate. not bad price.

Kev79 · Mar 11, 2014

envy14tpe :

Yeah, it's a great price, but maybe almost too good to be true is what I'm starting to think. I've had several people tell me that model is not great, that I would be better off spending just a little more and going with something a little more reliable/better quality. What that is, I'm not sure. I guess time to do some more research. I at least have ordered several of my parts so far... FINALLY!!!! Probably one of the last things I order, which may even have to wait til later today, will be the power supply, and then I'll finally be done with all of this back and forth...haha

envy14tpe · Mar 11, 2014

Prices constantly fluctuate but be glad that you are in the US. Prices, overall, are much lower there than the rest of the world.

Yes, the Corsair CX isn't great, but I'm not sure which is better the EVGA one or the CX.

Best 8GB RAM for $70?

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