Any other than Corsair??

Hi rwaritsdario,
The specific issue is Voltage - many DDR2 sticks will not POST in dual-channel at the default/stock 1.8v supplied by motherboards.
Cheap (CL5) memory can be found rated @ 1.8v, but CL4 will invariably require ~2.0v and, for example, my OCZ is rated 2.1v @ SPD settings. OCZ actually recommends 2.2v for fastest timings...
But many mobos either will not offer beyond ~1.9v (you're dead right away) or, they will allow increase but come out of the box at only 1.8v default. In this case, you must install only 1 stick of RAM in single-channel (obviously) and hope it POSTS okay @ stock SPD and/or default FSB speed.
My AB9 first started up @ 1.8v (ack!) but was running memory at 1:1 synchronous to FSB, which is only 533DDR - so I was fine :^)
ABit, however, had prominent warnings about this memory business in their 'quickstart' guide...
AMD guys are challenged by the fact that default memory speed is 800DDR on most AM2 rigs, and this initial POST problem is more commonly encountered.
I see people buying inexpensive mobos but they want good fast memory - it doesn't work that way. For any decent memory you must have 2.2v, and this requires a 'real' motherboard. Cheap mobos need cheap memory (they actually require it).
OCZ memory is just fine, I have used lots and never had slightest problem...
But be aware of this Voltage thing, and check your memory out carefully before you invest. If your mobo can't do it, it's semi-useless...
Otherwise, it's easy to get your rig started (with one cheap stick or whatever) and then get into the BIOS and goose the voltage up over 2v.
Note: I am running my OCZ @ 533DDR @ 1.8v @ CL3 dual-channel, not a problem :^)
The ABit AB9 Pro has up to 2.3v available though if req'd, heheh.
I hope this helps...?
Regards

I know many other brands will work, but from working to working well its a big leap.
Lets take the patriot for example, it boots and everything but its underclocked from what its advertised and sometimes requires you to get a different stick and change the SPD. Also when you try to overclock them the whole thing goes to hell.
And from reading the other reviews from Gskill, OCZ, Crucial, Patriot it comes to the conclusion that some of them will need another stick of lower speeds, and the ones that will boot right up, wont be overclockable at all.
Sadly I dont have any other DRR2 sticks laying around, so in case ild have to get another stick to get it to work, it would be an added cost.

So practically the cheapest and most compatible DDR-800 CAS4 ive found is the Corsair 5400CAS4 wich many reviews say thats is easily overclocked to 6400 and without compatibily issues. Its not stock 6400 but it will clock to the same speeds Patriot or Gskill would (these being stock 6400).

Another part of the problem is the overall maturity of the ram chips. Sure, Micron may be the main supplier for most of the companies, but the finished designs aren't complete. Years ago, there was lots of pc3200 memory that wasn't performing as well as pc2700 memory did. The pc3200 went through development and got faster.

I think the same will happen with the DDR2 memory. As time goes on, the bugs will be worked out and there will be few, if any, problems with memory matching correctly to motherboards or one brand working well while other brands don't work well, or don't work at all. That's one reason why I myself am holding back on rebuilding my computer until next year. I want things to get a bit more stable before I spend a lot of money.

Yes Sailer is right, these are temporary matters and these products will get better @ 1.8v (and less expensive too).
But these are important matters and I don't see a lot of memory talk in the forums about these new types of memory...
Buncha AMD guys (me too), you can tell, LoL
But the concept of Latency as 'delay' and MHz as 'per second' and the fact they are inversely propotional seems simple, but not maybe for n00bies or my best buddy the bus driver, right? LoL

Y'know, that stuff is reasonably inexpensive and requires only 1.8v too - that's what I shoulda got (since I'm not using my 800MHz).
Anyway, all you senior members are a wealth of information, they are lucky to have you here...
@ Mondoman
We were discussing old 3.3 and 5v powersupplies right?
I read your info, it made sense.
Regards

I know, but if you COULD overclock the DDR2 800 near that. But all the reviews (on newegg among others) say that you can barely get it passed 400Mhz...


Ill think about the crucial memory someone brought up in the other forum.

What wusy is saying here is most definitely so. To add a little to his e-store review comment, you should put very little stock in those reviews, like on newegg. If you look a little closer, a lot of those reviews are posted the same day or within a few days of that person receiving the product. They pop a stick of memory in and it works, and POOF!, it's great stuff. Or they buy a case and it looks cool, and WOW, what a great case! What about the product that you buy that works flawlessly - for two weeks, then dies. You've already read the stellar review, when in fact the product may be garbage. At least here if someone steers you wrong, which does happen occasionally, there is someone else to steer you back right.