jcw122 said:
Hey every1...i was just wondering...what are the top/best brands to buy for DDR memory
Your best bet, when looking for memory is to not get too concerned with brands until you've made a few preliminary choices.
What processor and what board will you be using. Intel and AMD processors operate differently, so each will benefit more from a particular type of ram, whether it be ram capable of running at faster speeds, but lower latencies, or whether faster timings should be your main objective. Along the same lines, certain chipsets used by the various motherboard makers play nicer with certain ram. Checking out manufacturers websites to see if the boards you are interested in have issues with certain "makes and models" of ram could save you headaches and money.
Once you have determined what you need in the way of ram (speed/latencies) then you can proceed with which manufacturer has the best product for you. If you decided for example that it is Hynix chips that you are looking for, then by reading in the forums and product reviews, you can get a feel for which manufacturer is doing a better job of implementing those chips into their DRAM modules, as things like the spd programming and the pcb used will impact just how well those same chips will work on different brands.
There is no perfect ram, and what works for one guy's rig may not be the best setup for yours. When you are asking for suggestions, it would be in your best interest to clarify the system specs so that you don't get all sorts of non-pertinent advice. I guy telling you what he is using on his XP rig will, in most cases, do you no good if you are planning on running a high fsb P4 rig.