I'm about to pull the trigger...final check this RAM please...

[TopGun]

Hey guys,

I think I'm about to purchase this RAM to use in a SB (probably i5-2500K) build G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM for $99.99...unless you are able to talk me out of it.

Pros:
-1600-heard this was the speed you want (at least for a reasonable price/value)
-CL8-I don't mind having better than CL9
-1.5V-heard it's what you want for SB
-nice color (will probably have a windowed case and would much rather have a matching blue to MB than a mismatched red)


Cons:
-costs $25 more than the (imho) ugly G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

Questions:
1. Can someone tell me what the difference is between the Ripjaws Series and the Ripjaws X Series? Is the only difference the heatsink design, or is there something else?

2. I'm (usually) all about the value...in fact my whole build plan is based on it, but...in this particular instance I'm really on the fence as far as looks. The blue (and the heatsink design) just appeals to me so much more than the red. I consider most if not all of the extra $25 to be going to the color upgrade opposed to the better CL. I'm really looking for a strong argument from someone to help me decide either way if $25 extra is worth having cooler looking RAM.

3. I'm not opposed at all to waiting. I have until this time next year to finish this build. In your best guesses, do you think I could find the G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM for cheaper than $99.99 at some point (like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, X-Mas, many holiday specials, etc.)? Or something roughly equivalent (aka, not ugly red...but 1600, CL8-9, 1.5V) for less than $99.99?

I'm positive that if the 8GBXM was $89.99 I would jump on it in a heartbeat. At $99.99 I still think it's a good (but not great) deal...and I'm having a super hard time justifying $25 more for it over the other I listed.

Can someone please help convince me either way? This has been totally driving me nuts over the past few days, lol.

Thanks guys,
-TG

 

[TopGun]

So...should I assume by the lack of replies that there is no good reason not to buy this?

T minus 7 hours 50 mins.

 

[TopGun]

I decided to wait. I figured worse case scenario I buy something similar quality-wise for something similar price-wise. Best case scenario I find an awesome deal.

I do think this was good value, but my gut said to wait for something better.

 

[davcon]

I decided to wait. I figured worse case scenario I buy something similar quality-wise for something similar price-wise. Best case scenario I find an awesome deal.

I do think this was good value, but my gut said to wait for something better.

Lol! dude Thanksgiving and Xmas are a long way off.
I think you passed on a good deal for 8GB of 1600mhz CL8 ram for $100.
$30 off the reg. price of ram kits is always a good deal.
Btw dram does fluctuate in price historically.
Personally i don't see it getting any cheaper.

 

[TopGun]

Ya, I know it's a long way off, but I wasn't planning to finish this build until this time next year anyway.

If I blew it, I blew it...you should have said something before the offer expired if you thought it'd help me make the right (in your opinion) decision. I'm a gambler. Going for the big whole stack reward for low risk instead of the solid value bet. I think I can get CL9 pretty easily for $100ish, so no big deal (imo).

 

[balearic]

check this out for your i5 2500k and sandybridge mobo...They look better than the gskill.

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
Average Rating 5 out of 5 eggs5/5(1 reviews)
$5 off w/ promo code EMCKGHE66, ends 3/31

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345&cm_re=corsair_vengeance-_-20-145-345-_-Product


so its $89 total!

 

[TopGun]

I just got the RAM I wanted for the price I wanted to pay for it!


G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM for $84.99. It's a shell shocker until 10am PD, so hurry if you want some.

I still think it might be even better at some point, but I'm super happy with this deal.

 

[TopGun]

Best answer selected by TopGun.