Memory Question..

[paruhd0x]

I'm looking to get some new ram... What is better CA3 or CA2 I'm looking to get a 256MB PC133 dimm... Thanks all.

 

[LXi]

CAS2 is better.

 

[Pyro]

but more expensive and rarely worth it

 

[LXi]

Is it *that* much more expensive? I dont think so.

 

[paruhd0x]

Do you know what brand? I'm looking into the Crucial website right now. You guys agree that is a good way to go?

 

[LXi]

If you want cheap, high performing, great quality, brand name RAM, get two sticks of these.

 

[paruhd0x]

Thanks LXi, will PC150 work on my Abit KT7?

 

[LXi]

Absolutely.

 

[paruhd0x]

Thanks a ton. Saved me a ton of researching time. I'll go get em right now with that handy Christmas money

 

[oldfart]

I've posted this a few times. I'm not trying to sound like some Crucial sales person. I just like to help fellow ATers get the best bang for the buck. You can buy the Crucial cas3 memory and run it at cas2 (2-2-2). I have in my CUSL2, (2) 128 meg cas3 sticks and (1) 256 meg cas3 stick. I'm running perfectly at 133 FSB with my settings @ 2-2-2. Yes, thats 512 meg of ram. Overkill, but buy it while it's cheap! Anyway, 128 meg cas3 goes for $60 and the 256 cas3 goes for $128.

 

[LXi]

Im not trying to put you down pal, but only $16 difference, I'd rather get something that gurrantees 150Mhz.

 

[paruhd0x]

Hmm... I just looked at mwave.com's Policy... I do not like the 7day warranty that they offer.

 

[oldfart]

Lifetime is not so bad. neither is 2 day free shipping.

 

[LXi]

paruhd0x:

The RAM carries lifetime Kingmax warranty.

 

[oldfart]

$169 - $128 = $41 before shipping if my math is correct. If you need to run 150 FSB, get PC150. If not, why pay the extra?

 

[LXi]

Im talking about 2 sticks of 128MB, which is $144, that thing is guarranteed 133MHz 2-2-2, absolutely worth it.

 

[MagnusInscitia]

Saying PC150 and meaning it are two completely different things...

For piece of mind I'd go with Crucial, they'll make sure it's compatible and it's probably the best quality retail SDRAM available. I bought a 64mb bank of PC100 a year or so ago. After running a few diagonistics on it, I found that the PC100 Crucial could easily perform at 133MHz whereas a recently purchased generic 128mb PC133 barely (aka is not very stable) reaches 133MHz.

But, that's just my take and sometimes you can find real steals...

 

[oldfart]

In that case, maybe so.

 

[LXi]

<<Saying PC150 and meaning it are two completely different things...>>

Look, I do not doubt Crucial, they're one of the best RAM makers and nobody can deny that. But if that statement of yours implies that Kingmax is crap and they're lying about PC150, then you're wrong.

 

[paruhd0x]

I'm looking for Performance and peace of mind... I'm looking towards Kingston whoops I mean Kingmax because of the nice price the garantee of performance and the lifetime warranty. Any opinions before I click the order button?

 

[LXi]

One more opinion, its Kingmax, not Kingston. Dont worry, you're not the first one who got them mixed up.

 

[MagnusInscitia]

No offense intended...I was not attacking the quality of Kingmax. I have friends that use it and are very happy with it.

However, ram can be fickle (or rather the banks/cards can be). Depending on who (and how) the chips are mounted to the PCB can make a difference (recall that there are only a handful of companies that actually manufacter the chips). I've recieved so called generic ram that actually had Micron (crucial) chips but performed very average.

Generally, ram from crucial is assembled in a highly competent manner. The same can not always be said for other vendors.

Essentially, I'm saying beware the source. Like anything, it can be good or bad.

 

[MagnusInscitia]

Looking at the specs listed, the Kingmax would definitely be a viable option.

 

[Boozy43]

well i'll just toss in my good ol opinion.

if i were you, i would look around here and buy from someone who frequently sells quality ram....Skorpion1Gee comes to mind...i bought 2 sticks of 128MB each (pc-133 cas2) off him and i am more than happy with the deal he gave me.

i was guaranteed to get 143 at cas2-2-2 and have had no problems acheiving this plus some.

it may cost a couple extra bux buying pretested ram but IMHO it is worth it...it's worth it for me cause i didnt want to be stuck with anything less than 143 @ cas2-2-2 ...and also, IMHO cas2-2-2 makes a huge difference compared to cas3....i believe it is close to a 10% performance (speed) increase....just my opinion tho...good luck dude.

 

[LXi]

MagnusInscitia:

I misunderstood you. Kingmax makes both chips and PCBs on their own. Unlike Micron who sells chips to gerneric and brand name module makers alike, so of course their own Crucial division makes the best modules based on Micron chips.