Patriot 2x1GB CAS 2 $145 - $25MIR = $120

[DidlySquat]

this is one of the fastest 2GB kits out there at stock DDR400 speeds. And for anyone that doesn't know, running an ultra expensive DDR500 - DDR600 kits with higher latenices will gain you close to nothing (<1%) compared to this fast DDR400. And DDR2 only comapres if you can run DDR2-800 with 3-3-3 which currently almost no one can do, and to even come close (e.g. 4-4-4) it would cost about $400 to get a 2GB DDR2-800 kit. So this is by far the best deal for the best performance on the best platform (S939). It's better than anything intel has now, and better than upcoming AM2 as well. See my sig for details.

 

[Kid98]

Is it possible for you guys who have received your kits to peek under the heatsinks and let us know what chips you got? (hopefully BE-5)

TIA

Kid

PS: mine should be here today.....

 

[pcmax]

Is this dead, I'm not seeing the rebate?

 

[DerKaiser]

The rebate form I downloaded says from 05-03-06 to 05-11-06, so the rebate may be dead.

 

[pcmax]

Originally posted by: DerKaiser
The rebate form I downloaded says from 05-03-06 to 05-11-06, so the rebate may be dead.

Darn, a day late and a rebate short.

 

[Budarow]

I wouldn't worry too much about missing this deal. With the new DDR2 platform coming out from AMD (and Intel already using DDR2 for a while now), there "should" still be a few more good deals on DDR RAM over the next couple of months (i.e., RAM makers getting rid of "old" tech). IMO

 

[DidlySquat]

nice theory but it didbn't work in the past as mfr shift production to DDR2 while platform that still use DDR are very viable (like S939) generatring demand for DDR you will get into DDR1 shortages, just like history proved happened for older memory types.

 

[Budarow]

From my experience, PC components (video cards and RAM especially) associated with a "platform" (i.e., DDR1 to DDR2, AGP to PCI-E) change often seem to go through the following price/supply cycle:

1. New platform release and prices are high due to the "newness" and relatively short supply followed by gradually decreasing prices as more supply comes on-line.
2. Another new platform is released and the "old" gear goes for clearance prices as demand dries up.
3. Production shifts from the previous platform to the new platform and as supply for the old platform starts to dry up the prices increase.
4. As demand for the old platform dries up further, the prices start to fall again until the parts are no longer available.

YMWV cause there's no way of knowing for sure how the price peaks and valleys will turn out or for how long, but it sure does happen.

I didn't say the prices for fast DDR1 RAM will keep falling forever. I said there "should" still be some deals around for the next month or so as the inventory is sold off in preparation of the switch to the new platform (DDR2).

After the "glut" of DDR1 is gone, it will still be available for a couple of years; however, the prices will gradually rise over the short term due to short supply. Where the prices go from there is anyones guess. I suppose sellers believe if your platform "requires" this kind of RAM, you're more likely to pay more for it verses upgrade to a new platform.

I paid ~$207 for this same memory back in Oct/Nov of 05 and it's gone down ~$80 since then. And I'll bet the same memory (or equal) cost ~$300 shortly after it came out ~1-2 years ago. I didn't pay "peak" price, but I didn't catch the bottom either. I needed the RAM so I bought it at a reasonable price (at the time).

I think in 6-9 months, this RAM will likely cost $160 or more (i.e., the supply dries up and the sellers believe peeps who need more RAM will pay more rather than do a platform switch which will cost a LOT more). It's not a "perfect" theory, but it works for me most of the time when buying PC parts. Wish I could do as well timing the stock market

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: DidlySquat
nice theory but it didbn't work in the past as mfr shift production to DDR2 while platform that still use DDR are very viable (like S939) generatring demand for DDR you will get into DDR1 shortages, just like history proved happened for older memory types.

I'm also not saying my "theory" is relavant for every situation. Becauase Intel has been using DDR2 for a while and AMD using DDR1, it greatly complicates the supply/price demands. However, since DDR1 is going bye-bye for the VAST majority of PC builders (OEMs and hobbyist), I think my guess is spot on for DDR1 and recent pricing.

 

[Zap]

Yippee!!! After being delayed a day because I stepped out for a bit and missed the delivery, and a second day because I didn't get around to it yesterday (playing too much Enemy Territory), I finally got around to checking out the RAM. It looks purty with the textured red heatspreaders and the raised logo. Rated at PC3200 2-3-2-5, seems to autodetect SPD at 2.5-4-2-8. Leaving the vDIMM at default 2.60v, memory at 200MHz (DDR400 or PC3200) and manually setting timings to 2-3-2-8 (I heard TRAS is better higher for A64, am I right?) and Memtest86+ 1.55 passed perfectly. Why couldn't my more expensive Corsair XMS do that? My G.Skill is great also. So far:

Patriot 1-0
G.Skill 1-0
Corsair 1-1

I had one set of 2x1GB Corsair ValueSelect that runs at CAS 2.5 dual channel instead of rated CAS 3 - heck it is better than the XMS that I paid a lot extra for which can only do CAS 3 in dual channel. And that's after I had to RMA the original XMS I got because one stick was DEAD. Plus, I still haven't gotten the rebate yet for the XMS but I did for the ValueSelect. I may as well tear the heatspreaders off the XMS and slap them on the ValueSelect, and put the ValueSelect stickers on the XMS.

 

[Budarow]

Yes...I'm pretty happy with my sticks also. They run at tight timings plus a ~ 5% OC for good measure

 

[Trikat]

Originally posted by: Budarow

Originally posted by: DidlySquat
nice theory but it didbn't work in the past as mfr shift production to DDR2 while platform that still use DDR are very viable (like S939) generatring demand for DDR you will get into DDR1 shortages, just like history proved happened for older memory types.

I'm also not saying my "theory" is relavant for every situation. Becauase Intel has been using DDR2 for a while and AMD using DDR1, it greatly complicates the supply/price demands. However, since DDR1 is going bye-bye for the VAST majority of PC builders (OEMs and hobbyist), I think my guess is spot on for DDR1 and recent pricing.

If anyone can "predict" the stock market, memory prices, or any other investment he/she will be a financial guru. That doesn't mean I stop dreaming about being a financial guru myself.

 

[DerKaiser]

Rated at PC3200 2-3-2-5, seems to autodetect SPD at 2.5-4-2-8.

According to CPU-Z, the SPD table says 2-3-2-5.

Thanks for the heads up on this RAM, I'm lovin' mine too.

 

[DidlySquat]

This memory rox, so the OP can sleep peacefully

 

[slothman]

Originally posted by: DidlySquat
this is one of the fastest 2GB kits out there at stock DDR400 speeds. And for anyone that doesn't know, running an ultra expensive DDR500 - DDR600 kits with higher latenices will gain you close to nothing (<1%) compared to this fast DDR400. And DDR2 only comapres if you can run DDR2-800 with 3-3-3 which currently almost no one can do, and to even come close (e.g. 4-4-4) it would cost about $400 to get a 2GB DDR2-800 kit. So this is by far the best deal for the best performance on the best platform (S939). It's better than anything intel has now, and better than upcoming AM2 as well. See my sig for details.

Well I dunno about that, all the benchmarks I've seen seem to suggest once you get into these higher speeds, the latency becomes less important. One benchmark on PC4000 I saw showed a 20% improvement over PC3200. And this was with 3-4-4-8 timings.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: Trikat

Originally posted by: Budarow

Originally posted by: DidlySquat
nice theory but it didbn't work in the past as mfr shift production to DDR2 while platform that still use DDR are very viable (like S939) generatring demand for DDR you will get into DDR1 shortages, just like history proved happened for older memory types.

I'm also not saying my "theory" is relavant for every situation. Becauase Intel has been using DDR2 for a while and AMD using DDR1, it greatly complicates the supply/price demands. However, since DDR1 is going bye-bye for the VAST majority of PC builders (OEMs and hobbyist), I think my guess is spot on for DDR1 and recent pricing.

If anyone can "predict" the stock market, memory prices, or any other investment he/she will be a financial guru. That doesn't mean I stop dreaming about being a financial guru myself.

:beer: