What makes memory good?

Susax · 08-25-2005, 12:45 PM

Ok here's my question. I know it sounds sort of noobie but I always wondered what makes memory really good. Meaning like what criterias should you look at if you buy new ram? I know tha 1024mb is better than 512mb and DDR2 better than DDR but apart from that I have no idea as how to keep cheap memory apart from really good memory

Sierra_abx · 08-25-2005, 12:57 PM

By good, I assume you mean fast? The quality of the memory chips and the PCB (printed circuit board) are what determine whether RAM is good. The better PCB's are made by a company called Brain Power. You want memory that's fast with the lowest possible latencies. This is the ideal combination.

BTW, not everyone believes DDR2 is better than regular DDR.

DDR2 sales have been quite poor, partly because AMD has yet to adopt it.

yamawho · 08-25-2005, 02:07 PM

Welcome Susax

You also want to look into name brand memory like OCZ, Corsair, Crucial etc.
These companies back there products directly so even if the place you got it from disappears, they will still help you out. Also helps where you buy it. The local shops I deal with are always willing to take it back and replace with another model if I'm not happy with it. If your into overclocking then there are types of ram which work better than others in curtain systems ...

Sierra_abx · 08-25-2005, 02:24 PM

Crucial has a 30-day money back guarantee. Not many RAM makers offer that. And if you're looking at 1GB modules, Crucial's Ballistix is the best, period. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Susax · 08-25-2005, 02:53 PM

well tnks for your help....why doesnt amd support ddr2 ram yet? i mean they are supposed to be better aren't they?

Sierra_abx · 08-25-2005, 02:57 PM

AMD's position has always been that it will support DDR2 "when it makes sense." AMD will be moving to DDR2 next year when new socket designs come out. Samsung has been actively pushing DDR2. But many overclockers are not buying it because the high latencies are a major turn-off. Although DDR2 is capable of very high bandwidth, people still don't like the idea of running cas latencies of 4 or 5.

08-25-2005, 12:45 PM	#1
Susax Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5	What makes memory good? Ok here's my question. I know it sounds sort of noobie but I always wondered what makes memory really good. Meaning like what criterias should you look at if you buy new ram? I know tha 1024mb is better than 512mb and DDR2 better than DDR but apart from that I have no idea as how to keep cheap memory apart from really good memory
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08-25-2005, 12:57 PM	#2
Sierra_abx Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 13,880	By good, I assume you mean fast? The quality of the memory chips and the PCB (printed circuit board) are what determine whether RAM is good. The better PCB's are made by a company called Brain Power. You want memory that's fast with the lowest possible latencies. This is the ideal combination. BTW, not everyone believes DDR2 is better than regular DDR. DDR2 sales have been quite poor, partly because AMD has yet to adopt it. Last edited by Sierra : 08-25-2005 at 01:05 PM.
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08-25-2005, 02:07 PM	#3
yamawho Linux user Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,074	Welcome Susax You also want to look into name brand memory like OCZ, Corsair, Crucial etc. These companies back there products directly so even if the place you got it from disappears, they will still help you out. Also helps where you buy it. The local shops I deal with are always willing to take it back and replace with another model if I'm not happy with it. If your into overclocking then there are types of ram which work better than others in curtain systems ... __________________
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08-25-2005, 02:24 PM	#4
Sierra_abx Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 13,880	Crucial has a 30-day money back guarantee. Not many RAM makers offer that. And if you're looking at 1GB modules, Crucial's Ballistix is the best, period. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.
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08-25-2005, 02:53 PM	#5
Susax Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5	well tnks for your help....why doesnt amd support ddr2 ram yet? i mean they are supposed to be better aren't they?
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08-25-2005, 02:57 PM	#6
Sierra_abx Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 13,880	AMD's position has always been that it will support DDR2 "when it makes sense." AMD will be moving to DDR2 next year when new socket designs come out. Samsung has been actively pushing DDR2. But many overclockers are not buying it because the high latencies are a major turn-off. Although DDR2 is capable of very high bandwidth, people still don't like the idea of running cas latencies of 4 or 5.
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