2GB (1GBX2) or BUST!

[codeseven]

Ok, screw it, I've been researching and reading everything I can about memory in general and 1GB memory specifically, at many Forums and have recieved alot of much appreciated help. As of today, I now have all my components delivered, except for the memory, which now is the only thing holding off assembly of my new PC that I have been waiting to build for several years.

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 939 90nm 1mb L2 cache
DFI LP NF4 SLI-DR
1-BFG GeForce 7800 GTX OC 256mb
WD 74 Gb SATA 10,000 rpm Raptor
PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 510 SLI
NEC 3540A DVD RW
Mitsumi Floppy 7 in 1 USB Card Reader/Smart Media Internal Drive
Lian Li PC-60B Plus case

I RMA'd 1GB (2X512) OCZ PC-4000 VX Gold in favor of 2GB (2X1GB). I want 2GB for future games and I would like to be able to add more of the same memory later on without regretting what I buy now so I want it to be the best. But for the life of me I haven't been able to find conclusively which 2GB (2X1GB) to buy. Rather than await hearing anything definitive from OCZ about their own PC-4000 1GB sticks coming out, I'm ready get this long awaited PC put together as soon as possible.

From all I can gather on different Forums, one brand of 1GB module seems to be most often mentioned as the one to get, and thats Crucial Ballistixs. Specifically, the Tracer series.

http://www.crucial.com/ballistix/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=6C6EDBDEA5CA7304&WSMD=LANPARTY+nF4+SLI%2DDR&WSPN=BL2KIT12864L503

Please let me know if I'm making a mistake, otherwise I'm in search mode for the cheapest place to get'em and them sent ASAP!

Thanks for helping me decide on what I have so far, I appreciate it.

Mike

[Scar]

well, if you can't wait for the OCZ release (which i'm trying to) get the single crucial sticks from newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146029 and save yourself 60+ dollars.

[codeseven]

Thanks Scar. If bought seperately, will both sticks still match? But then again, when bought in pairs, are they really tested to match up to begin with?

[Scar]

i've bought plenty of individual/unmatched sticks and used them in dual channel without ever having a problem. as long as its same brand, timing & speed rated, you shouldn't have any problem. :beer:

[Otter]

Crucial doesn't sell dual channel kits, but they do say any two matching sticks will run together in dual channel mode. However, they suggest that you order them at the same time to be sure they match. You'd probably be okay if you ordered them at different times, but there is a chance you'll get caught on the wrong side of a revision.

AFAIK, tracer is the same as regular ballistix except for the LED's.

I think those are the same chips as Ballistix, but binning seems to be responsible for a good part of Ballistix performance. I haven't heard of anyone getting Ballistix performance from these, but then, I've heard very little about Crucial's 1GB sticks at all.

[codeseven]

Crucial doesn't sell dual channel kits, but they do say any two matching sticks will run together in dual channel mode. However, they suggest that you order them at the same time to be sure they match. You'd probably be okay if you ordered them at different times, but there is a chance you'll get caught on the wrong side of a revision.

Thanks Otter, makes sence, as a matter of fact thats just what I did, ordered these,

http://www.crucial.com/ballistix/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=6C6EDBDEA5CA7304&WSMD=LANPARTY+nF4+SLI%2DDR&WSPN=BL2KIT12864L503

Should be a slight improvement over my old PC and it's 512mb PC-133 SDRAM. Though I'm still looking to see if OCZ comes out with their own PC-4000, I dont think I'll be dissapointed, which was my goal when putting this new rig together to begin with. :)

[Otter]

Wow. Crucial's staring to sell DC kits. There used to be a rant on their site about how DC kits were just a way to mark up the price. I guess they got tired of loosing sales because so many people believe that buying a kit is absolutely necessary to run in dual channel. :rolleyes:

When you get these things, please let us know what they can do. :)