Which RAM for A64?

[stasiu]

I currently have 1gig of mushkin 3200, but am RMA'ing it because it won't run stable above 166 and fails memtest. I was thinking of getting the Corsair XMS 3200. It's advertised timings of 2-3-2-6 look good to me. Those are the same timings that Mushkin recommended me using on their BH-5 sticks. Any suggestions for something that has been a good performer with A64's are appriciated, and i'm willing to spend about $350 for it.

[Speed_Mechanic2]

Assuming Socket 754, it's a shame that your Mushkin didn't work out for you. As BH-5 chips usually work great with the Athlon 64.

Good memory with Winbond CH-5 chips is a decent second choice. There is alot of products out there with Winbond CH-5 chips. Some cost very little (Buffalo), some are very high (read overpriced ;)) in price (Corsair LL, OCZ Platinum-CH-5). You will get what you pay for, basically, with product support and assurances, but not necessarally with overclocking performance.

Products from OCZ, Corsair, and Mushkin come with excellant support. Saving money by going with their second or third highest priced (yet equal in potential performance) products would be a good choice.

2x512MB (1GB Kit) OCZ PC-3200 EL (Winbond CH-5) - $227 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-883)
2x512MB (1GB Kit) Corsair XMS 3200 (Winbond CH-5) - $211 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-450)
2x512MB (1GB Kit) Mushkin Black Level I PC-3200 (Winbond CH-5) - $203 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-290)

Or you could always go "BH-5 hunting" if you really want to push your system to the most it will go and are willing to push your memory along with it.

[stasiu]

Hmm...do you think i'd be safe going with mushkin again? I see newegg still has some 3500 lvl 2.

[Speed_Mechanic2]

I believe Mushkin is one of the top quality companies, along with OCZ Technologies and Corsair. All companies inevitably send out the occasional dud stick. Even more likely, though, is the possibility that the RAM gets damaged while in transit or in the stock of the reseller. You could avoid Mushkin simply because of your past experience, and you would have all right to do so. But you would be missing out on what Mushkin would have to offer. Either one of those products I linked to above would be about similar in performance. So you could get any one.

[stasiu]

well, i went for the mushkin again. My board can supply up to 3.3 volts to the VDimm, what do you guys think is safe? I had the 3200 mushkin at 2.8 and it just would not perform at 400mhz ddr. I'm crossing my fingers I don't have another RMA ahead of me.