Thoughts on G. Skill RAM?

[goldpete]

Just trying to get some feedback on G. Skill memory, as far as comparing it to Crucial, Corsair, Patriot, etc.

I'm in the process of building another rig with an E6750 and using PC6400 RAM on an Abit iP35 Pro mobo.

Originally, I was going to use 2 gigs of the Corsair XMS dual channel but after shopping on Newegg, it looks like the G. Skill is outselling the Corsair almost 2 to 1 and about 20 bucks cheaper (after instant savings).

The reason I'm asking is to control some of the final build cost without sacrificing too much performance. I can afford the Corsair cost but if I can shave a few bucks, I will.

I don't plan on overclocking. Should I switch to G. Skill or stick to the Corsair brand?

Also, if anyone would care to take the time to rate the manufacturers, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cerb]

If you're not overclocking, don't bother with RAM for that. Corsair XMS? Nah, go for Value Select.

I haven't tried any Patriot, yet, but read good stuff about them. Read good and bad for G.SKILL, but also haven't used any.

Any of A-Data, Corsair (not XMS), Crucial (not Ballistix), or Kingston (not Hyper-X) will work great. Maybe G.SKILL and Patriot, too.

 

[Hurricane Andrew]

I love Corsair, G.Skill, Patriot, and A-Data. Not a huge fan of OCZ, though I do use some. It just bugs me to have to up the voltage to run at stock speeds. With the current price situation, take advantage of whatever is cheapest.

 

[JustaGeek]

I use the HZ series, and it works flawlessly.

And I understand that their Customer Service is outstanding.

With the Lifetime Warranty, do you need anything else to recommend G.Skill...?

 

[cozumel]

The GSkill PC2-6400 HZ series F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ mostly uses Micron D9GMH which is the same as the Crucial Ballistix. Occasionally GSkill will us the Micron D9GCT which is just as good. As far as Corsair and Patriot you need to be really specific in your choice of module revisions to ensure that you get the quality Micron ICs.

Take a look at this list as it may help in your decision. It shows you which IC chips are in which modules and from which Brand.

My advice would be to consider the HZ series. You would be able to get a good overclock if you ever wanted to explore that option. GSkill make good memory - Ive used it. The chips are the same quality as used by Crucial and they offer great value. I've also used Corsair and they make good stable products.

I hope this helps. The choice is yours.

 

[goldpete]

Thanks for all the input. It really helped. I will look at the HZ series.

 

[Cheex]

G.Skill is a good brand. I've never had any problems.

I think that maybe they are the price/performance leaders.

:thumbsup:

 

[BlueAcolyte]

GSkill is indeed a good brand, but if you are looking at the 2x1GB PC6400 RAM sticks, try the A-Data Extreme Edition.

 

[Arcanedeath]

I've had good luck w/ Gskill and they even replaced some DDR 1 PC3200 that wouldn't work in one of my Nforce 2 systems (memtest errors) w/ a newer more compatible version that works fine. edit even though there was nothing technicaly wrong w/ the ram w/ an intel per their tests.

 

[nefariouscaine]

I'm a huge fan of the Crucial Brand as a company - I use high test stuff from them and its become cheap - I paid 60 bucks for a kit of DDR2-800 (thats after tax and shipping) - unfortunately the pricing might be a few bucks more than your budget. Ballistix isn't for everyone and you don't *have* to overclock them (I actually underclock them)

*but*
IMO Crucial takes care of their customers - due to my hobby of overclocking I have needed to RMA a few kits to them - its a simple easy process and they don't ask what happened really nor inquire as to where I got the RAM - I pay for shipping to them and a week after they got it I have a new kit of ram - thats tops to me

*edit*

I've used patriot, mushkin, and g.skill DDR - the g.skill took the cake for performance but I never had an issue so can say how they are in the service area

I've used winamp, a-data, crucial, micron, hp and maybe 1 or 2 i'm forgetting - dolt - transcend and super talent

performance wise I'd never had 1 fail under stock usage but I stand by Crucial service

 

[Cheex]

Also, G.Skill can be noted as the MOST COMPATIBLE memory in the world. Their sticks work on basically ANY mobo.

You'll never have to wonder if it will work or not and that's great!!

 

[Peelback79]

Yay! You guys already answered half of my question! Goldpete, I apologize for horning in on your thread, but my question likewise pertains to G.Skillz.

I looking to get 4gb(2x2) for my new system.
I was going to get the DDR2 800. These for $109
But then there were these for only 20 dollars more. DDR2 800 same thing as above? The only thing I noticed is that the 2nd link appears to have more aggressive timings? Is it worth more, because I'm building my rig to last me at least two years. It's going to be built around the Q6600, which I probably won't overclock right off the bat and even when I do I probably won't go over a 400Mhz fsb. Which brings me to my third question:
These are the same price as the more aggressively timed ram and are DDR2 1000
Is it worth $20 to upgrade to the faster DDR2 800, the DDR2 1000, or just save the money and buy another 4 gigs of the DDR2 800.
Thanks to all who reply. And I'm trying to learn as much as I can about memory timings. I think I can handle oc'ing a processor, but I'd like to know more about how memory works. If anyone has any good links of articles or previous posts I'd definetely like to read them. Thanks again.

 

[AndyD2k]

Would like to know the answers to those questions as well

 

[TraumaRN]

Well I just got 4x1GB of G.skill RAM off Newegg, actually these sticks They've been stable up to 1000Mhz, Timing were 5-6-6-18 if I remember correctly. Awesome ram for the price.

 

[secretanchitman]

have g.skill in all 3 of my computers (swapped out my macbook pros 2x1GB with my dads 2x1GB g.skill ram i bought him for his macbook). all work perfectly and overclock damn nicely on the desktops.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

NefariousCaine and I have had some exchanges per tweaking the latencies, and there've been "discoveries."

Does anyone know how "elastic" to tighter latencies the G.SKILLs are compared to the Crucials? Can you get to tCL CAS=3 at between 700 and 720 Mhz? If that's possible, then they truly are a bargain.

I was thinking that just comfirming use of D9 parts doesn't guarantee tight-latency performance. Myabe it does, maybe it doesn't. I may buy the 4GB 2x2GB kit, because it resolves minor issues about command-rate.

[MAY resolve them -- shall see . . .]

The PK? or PQ? models also have the other, less famous D9 parts. I'm finding it hard to locate the HZ models anywhere. Can't find them at NewEgg . . . .

 

[chizow]

Picked up a 2 x 2GB kit of the DDR2 800 (Dark Blue 5-5-5-15) about a month ago to replace some 4x1GB sticks. Extremely pleased with them, much run cooler with default voltages of 1.8-1.9. Haven't really tried to OC em at all because running my other sticks at 1000MHz didn't do much for performance, just forced me to crank up voltages to run stable. Added another 2 x 2GB kit in the recent sale ($80 after MIR) and everything's been running silky smooth and much much cooler.