Which is better? Micron, Kingston, or Samsung?

[iLoveDivX]

i'm gonna get 512 pc 2700 for my epox 8rda+ and was wondering which of the three is better for overclocking (i think their prices are relatively similar right now). i wanna hit 200mhz. the name brand ones are about 20 bucks more than the generic stuff. will that 20 bucks hit the 200mhz mark for sure or should i just go with generic? also, i heard that getting two 256mb is better than one 512 for the epox; is that true?

 

[Bovinicus]

I would never suggest generic memory to anyone, even if they are not overclocking. For reaching higher memory speeds, less DIMMs is better. However, with only one DIMM, you cannot enable 4-way interleave. This settings boosts performance a good 5% throughout a broad range of applications without forcing your hardware to run as far out of spec.

The chip manufacturer is not the only thing to consider. The company that packages the chips onto the PCB is just as important in terms of maintaining signal integrity. I suggest buying Crucial memory. The prices are good, they use Micron chips, they use 6-layer PCBs, you get a lifetime warranty, and you can order directly from the company with free 2nd day shipping. For extreme overclocking, Corsair is your best bet. They used to use Samsung chips, but now I beleive they use Winbond chips. Corsair memory really likes aggressive timings. Of course, you are going to have to pay a premium for Corsair memory.

 

[GigaBit]

Well, I´m a bit suspect in this matter, since I work for Samsung, but I can assure Samsung RAM is top of the line, although any of the others are excellent too. I´m working with Crucial Ram in my home and had no problems whatsoever.
I´d stick just one Module of 512 MB, it´s much better concerning heat dissipation and future upgradability.

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: GigaBit
Well, I´m a bit suspect in this matter, since I work for Samsung, but I can assure Samsung RAM is top of the line, although any of the others are excellent too. I´m working with Crucial Ram in my home and had no problems whatsoever.
I´d stick just one Module of 512 MB, it´s much better concerning heat dissipation and future upgradability.

Umm ill forgive you for saying that seeing as its your first post

NO, do not get 1, get 2x 256 if you want 512 and get 2 x 512 if you can afford it.

The Epox 8RDA+ runs dual channel DDR RAM hence the reason the memory slots are paired in to two, and then another sits by itself

Get 2 of however much you can afford and run them dual channel.

Dan

 

[DannyBoy]

Just to add: Micron comes first for reliability in memory. Samsung are also good and fall just under them IMO. I agree that corsair is for overclockers who want to run serious memory timings.

Dan

 

[GigaBit]

Yes, MrFitty is absolutely right. I forgot the Chipset was Nvidia´s Nforce.
If you want performance then get 2 modules of 256 MB or more and have fun! That Chipset is awesome in Speed.
But one RAM module alone will work fine too... Although not faster....

 

[CaptnKirk]

NewEgg carries both the Samsung (TRUE) and the Crucial PC2700, DDR333
for under $ 90 for a 512MB stick. Thats about 1/2 of what it cost in November - so you can get 512MB now for what 256mb cost was 3 months ago.

Stay with either the Samsung or Crucial, unless you want to drop the big bucks on Corsair to go overclocking - but keep in mind that the Crucial or Samsung will do just about everything that you will need it to do. I don't think the added price for the Corsair gets you that big of an advantage over the other.

Word of caution - there is some very expensive stuff there that is trash, so stick to the Big Three mentioned above.

And, yes, the NewEgg Samsung OEM is TRUE SAMSUNG, I can read it on the Chipset and on the PC Board, and Manufacturers part numbers,

 

[iLoveDivX]

has anyone had actual success overclocking their epox 8rda+ with any specific ram to 200mhz?

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: iLoveDivX
has anyone had actual success overclocking their epox 8rda+ with any specific ram to 200mhz?

Send a message to "Confused". That is my friend garry & i know for a fact he has is 1700+ AXP oc'd at 2400+ right at this very moment. Give him a pm on here im sure hell be happy he has another person to blag off his oc;ing to

Infact ill give him a shout when he comes online later and send him the link to this thread

Dan

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: GigaBit
Yes, MrFitty is absolutely right. I forgot the Chipset was Nvidia´s Nforce.
If you want performance then get 2 modules of 256 MB or more and have fun! That Chipset is awesome in Speed.
But one RAM module alone will work fine too... Although not faster....

Unless he is using a board with onboard graphics, then dual channel DDR will not make a noticeable difference in performance compared to a single channel setup. However, as I said, you will also be able to enable 4-way interleaving which boosts performance another unnoticeable amount. These two little boosts together could prove useful, especially if you use memory bandwidth intensive programs. 2 DIMMs is probably the way to go. However, if you plan on upgrading the memory later on down the line, one stick of 512MB should be sufficient. Then, you can just get an identical stick of 512MB to make 1GB, and get a mild little performance boost.

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: MrFiTTy

Originally posted by: iLoveDivX
has anyone had actual success overclocking their epox 8rda+ with any specific ram to 200mhz?

Send a message to "Confused". That is my friend garry & i know for a fact he has is 1700+ AXP oc'd at 2400+ right at this very moment. Give him a pm on here im sure hell be happy he has another person to blag off his oc;ing to

Infact ill give him a shout when he comes online later and send him the link to this thread

Dan

Yeah I've got my 8RDA+, crappy PC2100 No-Name DDR and Tbred B 1700+ at 2.06GHz, 206x10.

My memory craps out after 140MHz, but the 8RDA+ has LOADS of memory ratios, to be able to run the memory at 50, 66, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 133, 150, 200% (i think that's all of them) of the FSB speed.

So, as my RAM craps out at 140, I have FSB at 205 and the memory at 66% of that for 138MHz. Obviously it won't be as fast as if you can run the memory more in sync with the FSB, but for the stuff I do, pure CPU speed is all that I really need at the moment, not memory bandwidth until I can afford some better RAM that will do 200+ MHz

Just PM me if you want any more info


Confused

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: Bovinicus

Originally posted by: GigaBit
Yes, MrFitty is absolutely right. I forgot the Chipset was Nvidia´s Nforce.
If you want performance then get 2 modules of 256 MB or more and have fun! That Chipset is awesome in Speed.
But one RAM module alone will work fine too... Although not faster....

Unless he is using a board with onboard graphics, then dual channel DDR will not make a noticeable difference in performance compared to a single channel setup. However, as I said, you will also be able to enable 4-way interleaving which boosts performance another unnoticeable amount. These two little boosts together could prove useful, especially if you use memory bandwidth intensive programs. 2 DIMMs is probably the way to go. However, if you plan on upgrading the memory later on down the line, one stick of 512MB should be sufficient. Then, you can just get an identical stick of 512MB to make 1GB, and get a mild little performance boost.

This is exactly right, only the IGP versions of the nForce2 really use the bandwidth advantage given by the dual channel. For future upgradability, go for 1x 512MB now, then later on add another 512MB. Getting 2x256 will only limit you later on on your upgrade paths


Confused

 

[EXman]

This is exactly right, only the IGP versions of the nForce2 really use the bandwidth advantage given by the dual channel. For future upgradability, go for 1x 512MB now, then later on add another 512MB. Getting 2x256 will only limit you later on on your upgrade paths

I agree 512 sticks are cheap now and ram prices are still dropping... I have had success with generic as well Have 512mb from Legend now and it runs w/o a hitch

but I do have 2x512 sticks of the new HyperX Kingston commin in tomorrow

 

[PCMarine]

They are all pretty good, but I'll have to favor Crucial.

 

[arcenite]

2 things.

1. Crucial or Bust
2. Title should read, "Which is the best? ..."

Just being a little anal

Bill