Memory: Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400 (2 GB)
Though it seems like “everyone” prefers four gigabytes of RAM for their Windows Vista installation, a basic set of two 1 GB models is still enough to generate good performance numbers. But even though some may feel we skimped on quantity, we stuck by our high quality standards when selecting a brand: Crucial Ballistix.
The PC2-6400 parts we chose were neither the fastest nor cheapest we could buy, but they do have remarkable overclocking capabilities. These 1 GB modules are typically capable of reaching speeds in excess of DDR2-1200 at CAS 5 and DDR2-1000 at CAS 4, and keeping those capabilities in reserve for our upcoming overclocking competition puts high value on the moderate $55 per-pair price.
If great overclocking capabilities are not enough to convince you that Ballistix PC2-6400 are top-value parts, consider the $20 rebate per set that Crucial is now offering. A $35 final price for a DDR2-1200 capable dual-channel memory kit is an unquestionable value, even for those who question our rational for not deducting the rebate in our total system cost calculations.
Anyone seeking more capacity probably shouldn’t consider using four of these however, as most motherboards become horrible overclockers with four modules installed. Crucial also sells 2 GB modules to make a 4 GB pair, and our experience has found a moderate reduction of around 100 MHz (data rate) in average overclocking capability for the higher-capacity parts.
