Which RAM to buy for new system?

[MadCat2099]

Hi! I'm looking to build a PC for my brother. These are the components that we're currently considering.

CPU
<A HREF="http://www.canadacomputers.com/cc/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=005886&cid=CPU.611" target="_new">AMD Athlon64 3200+ (2.0Ghz) 512kb L2 Cache, Socket 939 @ $240</A>

MOBO
<A HREF="http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_Spec_GA-K8NF-9.htm" target="_new">Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 @ $140</A>

*all prices in Canadian dollars

This is primarily a gaming system, so we're going with an AMD CPU since they're particularly good for that. However, we're not going to indulge in SLI fun due to the high price performance ratio. I would like to know what kind of RAM you guys would recommended for this system. I've already checked out both <A HREF="http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/DownloadableAssets/Athlon_64_Unbuffered_DIMM_AVL.pdf" target="_new">AMD's list of recommended RAM</A> and <A HREF="http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Support/TechnologyGuide/TechnologyGuide_101.htm" target="_new">GigaByte's list of recommended RAM</A>, but it doesn't appear that any of the DIMMs match, with the possible exception of one Samsung ECC RAM chip. Nevertheles, some people tell me that the recommended lists are practicall worthless.

We're looking to put either one or two 512MB DIMMS in. Can anyone recommend any good RAM for this system?


Mad Cat

 

[MadCat2099]

Not from the get-go, no. My brother has a very tight budget, and the last thing he needs is to melt his CPU from the get-go just to get a couple of extra FPS in a game. In a few years when the CPU starts to show it's age, we MAY try overclocking, but if not, we'll just upgrade the CPU. So, no, we're not seriously considering overclocking.


Mad Cat

 

[jammydodger]

Firstly, your motherboard is a socket 939 board which supports dual channel mode, so if possible use 2 matching DIMMS.

Any well known manufacturer should be fine (Crucial, Cosair, OCZ etc.) I wouldnt recommend 'value' RAM.

 

[MadCat2099]

But some manufacturers are better than others, and some, apparently, will rip you off with extortion rate prices. Hence, my request. I will look around and provide some links later, but it's really late so I go sleep now.


Mad Cat

 

[jammydodger]

Most RAM is dead cheap now, unfortunatly I live in the UK so prices might not be the same here as they are in the US. Here Geil Ultra and crucail Ballistix can both be picked up fairly cheaply.

 

[timberwolf1]

Totally agree. Any brand of RAM will do - I usually go with Kingston.

Gary Hendricks
<A HREF="http://www.digital-music-guide.com" target="_new">Digital-Music-Guide.com</A>

 

[Rugger]

I don't know if I would agree with ANY brand - I would stick to RAM with good memory chips or RAM from any major RAM mfr. Would definitely stay away from any type of generic RAM.

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[MadCat2099]

Are any of these any good:
<A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=106&mcid=11" target="_new">Samsung PC-3200 DDR 512MB 184-pin DIMM @ $46 CND</A>
<A HREF="http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/OCZ_DDR_PC-3200_Premier_Dual_Channel" target="_new">OCZ PC-3200 Premier Dual Channel DDR 1 GB (2x512 CAS 2.5-3-3-7) @ $145 CND</A>
<A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=3253&mcid=11" target="_new">GeiL PC-3200 Dual Channel DDR 1Gb (2x 512MB CAS 2.5-4-4-8) @ $126 CND</A>

Mad Cat

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by madcat2099 on 05/03/05 04:01 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[MadCat2099]

Ok thanks. We're probably going to go with the GeiL DIMMs unless my brother is really tight on cash, in which case we may only go with one Samsung DIMM.


Mad Cat