DDR 400 Memory recommendations for new PC build

[jduquemin]

Hi everyone,

I have recently completed building myself a new PC but the RAM I was originally planning to use is not compatible with my system. I am now looking to buy some new memory as the memory I am currently using from my old machine is too slow (DDR333 & DDR266, 512MB each). I have seen recommended RAM on the Corsair, Crucial and OCZ memory configurators:

Corsair:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=85958

Crucial:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=92005

OCZ:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-057-OC

All 3 sets of memory are compatible with the motherboard I have got (MSI K8N SLI-FI) but I am now trying to decide which memory to buy. I would prefer to get memory with heatspreaders though the Crucial RAM is a lot cheaper than the others.

Has anyone had any experience with any of the above RAM?

Thanks...

 

[Mondoman]

The Crucial is just standard RAM, not designed for OCing. The other two are premium OC RAM. The Corsair stuff is more likely to be compatible, but has a much higher (worse) voltage spec.

 

[jduquemin]

According to both the Corsair and the OCZ websites, the memory I have specified will both work on my PC. Cansomeone give me any more information regarding the timings (taken from the respective websites)...

OCZ:
2-3-2-5 2.8V
(CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)

Corsair:
2-3-3-6-2T 2.75V
(CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)

According to the Memory sticky, it appears that the OCZ is faster, my understanding that both tRP and tRAS are faster. The OCZ site doesn't mention anything about command rate however.

I am assuming that the voltages I have listed are the maximum the memory will cope with before becoming unstable.

Would anyone agree with the above or is my understanding of the timings flawed in any way?

 

[Mondoman]

According to both the Corsair and the OCZ websites, the memory I have specified will both work on my PC.

In theory, yes. In practice OCZ has had more compatibility problems. They will stand behind their RAM, it just means going through the RMA hassle.

...
OCZ:
2-3-2-5 2.8V

The website in your link gives 2.6V, not 2.8V, as the spec voltage for this RAM.

...According to the Memory sticky, it appears that the OCZ is faster, my understanding that both tRP and tRAS are faster.

Yes, not a big difference, though.

The OCZ site doesn't mention anything about command rate however.

Command rate is a function of the motherboard/chipset, not the RAM.

I am assuming that the voltages I have listed are the maximum the memory will cope with before becoming unstable.

Nope, it's the *minimum* voltage at which the given timings are guaranteed by the maker. This post may help clarify things:
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1249881#1249881