Will RAM continue to fall in price

[CanadaRAM]

Corsair is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) names in the memory industry.

Annnnddd.... I agree with Eidorian, the ValueSelect RAM is simply Corsair's name on some very ordinary, cheap generic RAM. In this case the reputation is not reflected in the product (Disclaimer -- we sell Corsair RAM, I am happy selling the TWINX series, but not a fan of the ValueSelect)


Eidorian: The second Anandtech article is comparing a MacPro upgraded from 2.0 GHz to 3.0 GHz, with 667 MHz CL5 ECC FB-DIMMs to an Asus motherboard with 800 MHz DDR2 CL4 RAM running 2.0 or 2.1 V on the memory buss.
When they attribute performance differences to the FB-DIMMs saying have high latency it is at least partially because the Asus board is capable of running CL4 RAM at 'overclocker' voltages and at 800 MHz. In some tests there was no difference, in some tests the Asus board had a 1% - 10% advantage.

I am digesting the information from the first Anadtech article and will reply later.

 

[Eidorian]

Eidorian: The second Anandtech article is comparing a MacPro upgraded from 2.0 GHz to 3.0 GHz, with 667 MHz CL5 ECC FB-DIMMs to an Asus motherboard with 800 MHz DDR2 CL4 RAM running 2.0 or 2.1 V on the memory buss.
When they attribute performance differences to the FB-DIMMs saying have high latency it is at least partially because the Asus board is capable of running CL4 RAM at 'overclocker' voltages and at 800 MHz. In some tests there was no difference, in some tests the Asus board had a 1% - 10% advantage.

That would explain it. I know there's at least one more benchmark out there. It's not as painstakingly detailed though.

 

[wakerider017]

Annnnddd.... I agree with Eidorian, the ValueSelect RAM is simply Corsair's name on some very ordinary, cheap generic RAM. In this case the reputation is not reflected in the product (Disclaimer -- we sell Corsair RAM, I am happy selling the TWINX series, but not a fan of the ValueSelect)


Eidorian: The second Anandtech article is comparing a MacPro upgraded from 2.0 GHz to 3.0 GHz, with 667 MHz CL5 ECC FB-DIMMs to an Asus motherboard with 800 MHz DDR2 CL4 RAM running 2.0 or 2.1 V on the memory buss.
When they attribute performance differences to the FB-DIMMs saying have high latency it is at least partially because the Asus board is capable of running CL4 RAM at 'overclocker' voltages and at 800 MHz. In some tests there was no difference, in some tests the Asus board had a 1% - 10% advantage.

I am digesting the information from the first Anadtech article and will reply later.

Please cite your source/experience.

Value Select is not cheap generic ram. It is simply the standard ram that corsair offers.

 

[Mr. MacBook]

optival ram is 140 for 2GB buddy

 

[BilltheCat]

optival ram is 140 for 2GB buddy

optival? Never heard of it. decent ram is it?

As for me I tend to ask people I trust, but make my own mind. Eidorian is one of those folks I have come to trust. MacForums is full of them but their is just something about that cute blonde avatar you know!

I will be buying Patriot methinks. $139 for 2x1GB DIMMS. But I appreciate your input. Thanks.

 

[Eidorian]

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/memory_select_frame.asp_Q_C_E_1372-Intel_2.16

Otherwise here's what I use. You'd be getting the kit version instead.

 

[bobber205]

OMG that is $60 cheaper than crucial!

That 139 for *2* 1GB sticks yes? could I have seen that right?

and you used this and it is fine? Im putting it in my c2d intel iMac.

Everywhere is cheaper than crucial.

 

[BilltheCat]

Everywhere is cheaper than crucial.

maybe. but *I* did not know that before this. It seems like Crucual is a forum sponsor so I would love to support them but not to that extent.

 

[bobber205]

maybe. but *I* did not know that before this. It seems like Crucual is a forum sponsor so I would love to support them but not to that extent.

If you want to support the forum, then donate. But always buy your ram at newegg.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Please cite your source/experience.

Value Select is not cheap generic ram. It is simply the standard ram that corsair offers.

Err... we are a Corsair authorized dealer...

Corsair never used to have 'Standard' RAM, they were an overclocker's maker only. Then about 3 - 4 (?) years ago they introduced their ValueSelect line to get sales in the generic market. "Cheap" (as in price) is inarguable because they are selling these in bulk quantity to discount sellers to address the low cost end of the market. "Generic" because the ValueSelect RAM is built to a specification and not guaranteed compatible with any particular brand of machine. Corsair's line of compatible RAM is called System Select.

I say it is cheap quality wise because I am not impressed with the build quality based on first-hand experience. The PC boards are thinner than most, I almost felt as if I could fold the DDR2 DIMMs in half in my hand. Don't get me wrong, the RAM does work as specified. It's just that you cannot attach the reputation for quality build and high performance that Corsair have gained on their CMX and TwinX series to this line of ValueSelect RAM.

 

[BilltheCat]

If you want to support the forum, then donate. But always buy your ram at newegg.

as you can tell from the handle under my name I *have* donated. I like Newegg and have given them a lot of my money in the past. I bought my iMac from BHPhoto though. Newegg has Patriot ram also but requires a mail in rebate to get the price. Fry's does not.

 

[Mpulsive81]

as you can tell from the handle under my name I *have* donated.

And you can also tell from my SIG! Bill's the shiz-nit