Kingston's "Value" RAM

[jakelm]

Should I be embarassed? I use it.. Who else does? I'm thinking of switching to something more "rich" sounding.:p


Seriously, DIMM DDR 1g 400mhz 184 pin./. I cant think of anything better to use for the money.

[steveinaz]

Chips on a board--Back when I built all of my computers, I used good name brand memory, but I didn't pay the Kingston price.

[jakelm]

Chips on a board--Back when I built all of my computers, I used good name brand memory, but I didn't pay the Kingston price.

You find Kingston expensive? From experience I find the pretty reliable. I couldnt tell you about performance though, never compared.

[jakelm]

Maybe I should spend alittle more on something like this

[steveinaz]

Keep in mind, my last build was about 7 years ago--I'm RUSTY. I think I have some cheap Sanyo memory in my computer, and oh yes--she's still runnin.

[Marty913]

Maybe I should spend alittle more on something like this

Actually, two of the others on that page (Corsair & OCZ) are probably better buys but I have absolutely nothing against Kingston. I am currently using 4GB of GSkill which I have found to be the best memory (DDR2) for the money. I've used it in my last several builds. Never has failed me.

[jakelm]

Actually, two of the others on that page (Corsair & OCZ) are probably better buys but I have absolutely nothing against Kingston. I am currently using 4GB of GSkill which I have found to be the best memory (DDR2) for the money. I've used it in my last several builds. Never has failed me.

I hear different stories about mixing brands of RAM

[ben62670]

Corsair. I am running G-kill too. Pain to tweak. I should have stuck with Corsair.

[Marty913]

I hear different stories about mixing brands of RAM

I have never found it to be a problem as long as the specifications are the same. Back in the early days (pre-DDR) it certainly was and motherboard chipsets were a lot less forgiving. If you're using DDR then mixing memory brands is not a problem.

[dylanblada]

Kingston used to be expensive, now they have a little of everything (like all the other brands). Truth is, as long as you're not overclocking, or running business server, there is no need to spend any more than the cheapest RAM.

[jakelm]

Kingston used to be expensive, now they have a little of everything (like all the other brands). Truth is, as long as you're not overclocking, or running business server, there is no need to spend any more than the cheapest RAM.

I'm an overclock nut though (well, I try to be), but pretty much stick to just overclocking the CPU.

My little Athlon 4200 x2, 2.2 is currently running @ 2.7

[Sherardp]

Im a little rusty myself, still running an Athlon 3200XP with 2 GB Corsair Ram. Dell has gotten so cheap, Im not even sure I will build my own rig again. Though I do find it fun to sit down and put one together.

[fbm211]

I did a new build last feb and in4 months I had 5 RMAs on the crucial balistix 1066 so I swithced to OCZ 1200 and havent had a problem since.And I have the core2duo E8400 overclocked to 3.6GHZ.And the EVGA 8800(G92) at 750/1675.

[dylanblada]

Even if you are OC'ing, OCZ. for instance, makes some really good, cheap RAM for it with good timings. And if we're taliking DDR2 here, most RAM is SO cheap it'd be ok to spend another $10-$15 for decent RAM.

[GEBBY44]

Tried em all - Corsair, Kingston, OCZ - and if you plan on doing any overclocking, the best value I've found is Patriot. With all the rebates and crap, you can usually get it for cheaper than those others. It's reliable as hell and works great in my oc'd quad core setup. I've also heard g-skill is good too, though I've never tried it.

[BaggedLancer]

i use ocz and nothing but ocz

[jakelm]

I shop at newegg, is there a cheaper store? Geeks.com maybe?

Kingston has really never given me any problem, but like someone posted earlier, being I DDR and not DDR2, mixing brands shouldnt be a problem. Might give OCZ a try, I still cant find Patriot, in 184 Pin DDR 400mhz.

But since I have the cheap Kingston in the system already, i dont know how much good it would do to mix it with more expensive RAM.

[jakelm]

Excuse the ignorence, but, what is Cas Latency?

And what would all do, 1 stick of 1g or 2 sticks of 512?

[fbm211]

Join toms hardware forum and you will find the exact translation.The lower the number the better/faster ...However with todays faster DDR3 (mhz) memory it doesnt matter as much as it used to.Use two sticks for dual channel. I have two sticks of OCZplatinum PC3200 dual channel DDR I could sell you if your interested.(2x512mb) timings 2-3-2-5

[Marty913]

I shop at newegg, is there a cheaper store? Geeks.com maybe?

Kingston has really never given me any problem, but like someone posted earlier, being I DDR and not DDR2, mixing brands shouldnt be a problem. Might give OCZ a try, I still cant find Patriot, in 184 Pin DDR 400mhz.

But since I have the cheap Kingston in the system already, i dont know how much good it would do to mix it with more expensive RAM.

Patriot is a relatively newer brand (DDR2 & up) so I don't think you'll find plain DDR there. If I were you, I'd go with Kingston Value, same specs as your current DDR, and get it as cheap as possible. It will not be reusable in any future machine you buy or build.

[kuntasensei]

I used to build my own systems, but when my Athlon 3200+ rig died last week, I just couldn't face it. Since I got my Xbox 360, I haven't been into PC gaming so I didn't really need a monster rig... so I snagged this sweet deal.

Quad Core 6600, 3gb of ram , 720gb of hard drive space, Nvidia 8500 GT, NTSC/ATSC TV tuner, Vista Home Premium 32-bit and a free 24" LCD monitor. Been playing with it for the last two days - works like a champ. Yeah, that HD-DVD drive they include is nigh worthless... but with the HDMI output, I could swap out for a Blu-ray drive later and make a decent HTPC out of it.

[VSchneider]

Jake, if you are only upgrading RAM for your Athlon (which can only take DRR, right?) you want two identical (or at least with compatible latency numbers) sticks to run dual-channel with the lowest Cas Latency (CL - the first number in the specs). I am using a par of CL2 Corsair with my AMD 4200.

If you want to overclock something other than the CPU, your memory quality starts to matter, too.

The Value RAM runs at 400 MHz and CL3, and if you push it faster it will likely begin making errors, where a "more expensive sounding" RAM may just heat up but still work.

- Val

[jakelm]

I'm just going to get the same thing I have now.

Question: 2 sticks of 512 or 1 stick of 1g?

Thanks for the help.

[ben62670]

Does your puter do dual channel? I still prefer pairs if not.
Ben

[jakelm]

Does your puter do dual channel? I still prefer pairs if not.
Ben

My puter does 4channel, I have 2 512 in right now

That leaves me 2 channels, I was going to stick 2 1g's in there.

[WilliamM2]

My puter does 4channel, I have 2 512 in right now

That leaves me 2 channels, I was going to stick 2 1g's in there.

He is referring to dual channel memory. You need the same ram config in each channel to do that.

[ben62670]

Not slots, but channels;)

[jakelm]

He is referring to dual channel memory. You need the same ram config in each channel to do that.

Sorry head not working today.

And just think..I build these things...lol

So I could not use 1g and a 512 in A1 and A2?

And a 1g and a 512 in B1 and B2?

[concealer404]

Patriot is a relatively newer brand (DDR2 & up) so I don't think you'll find plain DDR there. If I were you, I'd go with Kingston Value, same specs as your current DDR, and get it as cheap as possible. It will not be reusable in any future machine you buy or build.

Patriot's been around for years. I still have PC3200 sticks running around in a AMD Mobile 2500+ rig at 2.9ghz on air. Some of the best ram ever. Holds lower latencies longer than my tried and true Crucial Ballistix, although the Ballistix will go to a higher overall clock.

[WilliamM2]

Sorry head not working today.

And just think..I build these things...lol

So I could not use 1g and a 512 in A1 and A2?

And a 1g and a 512 in B1 and B2?

Sorry, missed this post. Yes you can. Like I said, each channel, or pair of channels must match, and that would work.