Which 512MB dimm to choose ?

[iparout]

Hi.

I'll be upgrading the memory anytime soon and I would like to add another 512 MB to the 256 MB Samsung PC2700 I currently have.

I have a Pentium 4 2.53 GHz running at 2.85 GHZ @ 150 FSB and 2x187.5 = 375 MHz DDR speed on the Samsung DIMM, all at default voltages. RAM timings are 2.5-4-4-8

I was thinking of going for the Samsung PC3200 512 MB dimm, however I read in some review that it doesn't perform well, so I am re-considering. I know that with the current setup, almost every PC3200 dimm will do, however I would like to keep the RAM in case of a future upgrade, that's why I am searching for a dimm that will be able to OC quite decently. Of course, high-end solutions like DDR550 and stuff like that would be an overkill for me. I just want a dimm that will be able to run at around 220-230 MHz at the timings I am running now.

I don't want to spend a fortune on RAM, I am thinking something around 120 euros would be enough.

Any recommendations are welcome...

Thanks in advance.

P.S. : Also, links to 512 MB dimm round-ups will be more than helpful. I did a search but didn't find anything useful, since most people prefer the 2x256 MB solution rather than 1x512 MB.

[flapperhead]

first of all some of the samsung pc3200 will overclock quite hi. 2.5-4-4-8 is very loose timings. if u plan on keeping the loose timings, a 512 stick of the pc3200 kingston valuram with bt-d43 chips will run those timings up to 250+ and can be caught on sale for as little as 79.00-89.00 at best buy.

[Reefa_Madness]

Your talking about buying in euros. Educate those of us across the pond that are not so euro literate, what is the approximate US $ conversion on that right now. I remember a while back it was about $1.20 or so I think, but I don't know anymore. Would that make it somewhere around $150 - $160 range that you are willing to spend?

As flapper said, if you can find you some of the Hynix BT-D43 you should be able to use it now, and have plenty of headroom for future upgrades, as this is the stuff that alot of the DDR500 and plus uses. It can be found pretty cheap in the Kingston ValueRam. Since this ram doesn't come with heat spreaders you can spot the chips markings without any trouble through their packaging.

[iparout]

Originally posted by Reefa_Madness
Your talking about buying in euros. Educate those of us across the pond that are not so euro literate, what is the approximate US $ conversion on that right now. I remember a while back it was about $1.20 or so I think, but I don't know anymore. Would that make it somewhere around $150 - $160 range that you are willing to spend?

As flapper said, if you can find you some of the Hynix BT-D43 you should be able to use it now, and have plenty of headroom for future upgrades, as this is the stuff that alot of the DDR500 and plus uses. It can be found pretty cheap in the Kingston ValueRam. Since this ram doesn't come with heat spreaders you can spot the chips markings without any trouble through their packaging.

Yeap, sorry for not making it clear. I am talking around the $150 range.

So, the RAM you are talking about is this (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-424&depa=0), right ? If so, I can see that it says 3-3-3 as default timings... I would prefer the CAS Latency to be 2.5 and not 3 though... Anyways, I'll look around for reviews of this stick of RAM.

Any more recommendations ?

[blackshadow]

A good choice might be Kingston Hyper X pc 3000 which normally ships with bh-5 chips when you order from zipzoomfly.com It overclocks well and has extremely tight timings assuming you get bh-5. I believe that it is around $114 for 512 mb.

[iparout]

Ok, I have found that Corsair and GelL are too expensive for me, so I have to decide between the following ones which are in my price range :

KINGSTON KVR400X64C3 512MB PC3200 400MHz VALUE RAM, which is CL 3

KINGSTON KVR400X64C25 512MB PC3200 400MHz VALUE RAM, which is CL 2.5 and about $20 more expensive than the CL3 version

DIMM DDR 512MB PC3200 (400MHz) SAMSUNG GOLD, which are most probably CL3 and are at the same price as the 1st dimm on the list (Kingston CL3)


Which of the above would you recommend ?

Thanks once again.