Anyboy know where to get a deal on Memory?

[360VICS]

I just ordered my DAW:

*ASUS P4P800-DX, SATA Raid, S.478, 533/800FSB, Audio/LAN, DDR333/400
*Intel Pentium™ 4 2.60GHz HT 512K 800FSB S.478
*80Gb Serial ATA Seagate 7200rpm

But I still need memory. To my knowledge this Mobo supports dual channel memory. So to take advantage of the speed I’d like to get some.

Does anyone have advice for me?
What memory should I get?
Where can I get it for the lowest price?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[wogg]

You must resist the urge to get cheap memory. RAM is an important thing to spend money on quality stuff.

I like Corsair memory personally, but Kingston, OCZ, and some other tweaker brands also work well.

You will need PC3200 RAM that is specifically rated for CAS2 timings to get the most out of that P4.

Go with the Asus's recommended brands (they might have a list on-line somewhere) and by from a reputable on-line merchant like www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com) or www.mwave.com (http://www.mwave.com)

[+Erik.+]

@wogg - i've stuffed my machine full of it :P


seriously though, why is expensive memory so important? that's a question, not a statement.

[wogg]

It's all about faster timings for lower latency with fewer errors.

You can get lucky with generic RAM though for sure. Hell my gaming box has a generic 512MB stick in it. What I do if I'm going generic is buy RAM spec'd faster than what I will be clocking it at. So if I need 266MHz PC2100 RAM I'll buy a stick of PC2700 and underclock it while forcing 2-2-2-5 timings in BIOS.

With my DAW though I went for broke and bought high end Corsair RAM spec'd for PC2700 with 2-2-2-5 timings to match my 333MHz FSB Athlon. That was pretty much based on advice from PC gaming geeks that have a tendency to overclock. Overclocking quickly shows what quality RAM is good for. I figured it will be that much more stable at stock clocks. It has worked out smooth and stable for me. Could I have gotten generic to run the same? I dunno...

What is your RAM timed at in BIOS Erik?

[Afrotronic]

Try www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com)

[360VICS]

Thanks guys. I never intended to buy cheap just get the best stuff for the best price.

I ended up buying two Kingston DDR400 PC3200 / 512 from www,newegg.com (thanks wogg) for $76 each and $2.99shipping.

How'd I do?

[This message has been edited by 360VICS (edited 01-16-2004).]

[bubba freaktree]

newegg.com is a great place. huge selection, prices consistently at or near lowest around, and if there's a problem, they don't run and hide on you.

i've been using crucial ram with great results. it's pretty much "tier 2" quality level. the top is corsair. they have an extra level called xms, which apparently is the best of the best.

but my crucial works just fine. i wouldn't go any lower into bargain/unknown ram.

[habibbijan]

You did fine. NewEgg is a great place for ordering parts. If a faulty for some reason, they offer instant RMAs online. No hassles.

[BAP]

ZipZoomFly.com has been good for me [used to be googlegear.com]. Free 2nd day shipping on many items.

[korz]

Are Kingston and Crucial now making CAS-2-2-2 DDR memory now? When I had to buy memory for my Asus P4B533, I had to buy Mushkin and it was like $125 per 512M. I bought 1G worth, but it was the most expensive part of my box!

[wockachucka]

Originally posted by Afrotronic:
Try www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com)

It's a nice thought, but many of the retailers featured there are "online chop-chops" with little (if any) customer service, and a return policy that is laughable.

No reason not to stick with Newegg. Their prices are generally just as low, and they stand behind their stuff.

[+Erik.+]

sorry wogg, i forgot about this thread!

Don't know what the ram timings are, always default.

I do know i've never ever sucessfully overclock the PC with various motherboards or processors so I guess the cheap ram is the cause of the instabililty.

Still, no problems on a normal system though.

Originally posted by wogg:
It's all about faster timings for lower latency with fewer errors.

You can get lucky with generic RAM though for sure. Hell my gaming box has a generic 512MB stick in it. What I do if I'm going generic is buy RAM spec'd faster than what I will be clocking it at. So if I need 266MHz PC2100 RAM I'll buy a stick of PC2700 and underclock it while forcing 2-2-2-5 timings in BIOS.

With my DAW though I went for broke and bought high end Corsair RAM spec'd for PC2700 with 2-2-2-5 timings to match my 333MHz FSB Athlon. That was pretty much based on advice from PC gaming geeks that have a tendency to overclock. Overclocking quickly shows what quality RAM is good for. I figured it will be that much more stable at stock clocks. It has worked out smooth and stable for me. Could I have gotten generic to run the same? I dunno...

What is your RAM timed at in BIOS Erik?

[bubba freaktree]

newegg.com