Best ram kit for under 150$?

[Smith]

Generally, who makes the best ram out there right now? I'm looking for a 2 gig dual channel kit for under 150$ CDN. I've been looking around and it looks like all computer parts have dropped in price significantly since last September (when I put together this computer).

I was looking at this kit: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011680&cid=RAM.835

But theres a lot more. They also stock mushkin and ive heard very good things about them. Its been a while since I last bought computer parts so I'm kinda in the dark now. Could someone pick out the best kit for my price range for me?

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProdList&cmd=pl&id=RAM.835

Thanks.

[Smith]

All these views and nobody has anything to share?

[clocker]

Mushkin used to be the best kept secret in RAM but IMO, their QC went to hell over the past few years.

I've been using/recommending Patriot RAM for two years now and haven't heard (or had) any complaints.

[Smith]

Thanks for the info clocker. So between these two, you would go with patriot? I'm looking for raw performance because these are going in a computer that is used exclusively for media and games (the next gen ones too).

Patriot: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=013789&cid=RAM.835

Mushkin:http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=013425&cid=RAM.835

I also noticed that for the same price theres an ocz kit:http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014092&cid=RAM.835

What are your views on OCZ?

[clocker]

Yeah, I'd go Patriot.
Out of a couple hundred sticks we only got one or two that were DOA and it worked in every single PC we installed it in.

No experience- hence, no opinion- on OCZ.

[mr. nails]

if u guys are all about patriot why not pimp urself out and grab 4gb of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220144) for $106?

[clocker]

Because he's in Canadia and Newegg doesn't ship there.

[Smith]

Alright clocker, I will pick up that kit on Thursday and install it. Is there anything I have to do to my mobo in preparation for installing this ram, like drivers? Is it a simple swap (with the power unplugged of coarse)

Edit: Also, is there a program I can use to take before and after comparisons of the performance I've gained?

Benchmarks?

[Peerzy]

If its anything like normal RAM then just power down, remove power cable, ground yourself, remove and replace your current sticks and then power up. It should show your new amount of RAM on the first POST screen and it may notice you've changed hardware and ask you to enter the BIOS (Just enter and exit it) and it should be fine. No RAM I've ever come across has ever used software/drivers.

[clocker]

Also, is there a program I can use to take before and after comparisons of the performance I've gained?

Benchmarks?
Everest Home Edition (http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html)
The Aussie mirror is the fastest.

[mr. nails]

Also, is there a program I can use to take before and after comparisons of the performance I've gained?

Benchmarks?

not a benchmark, but VERY valuable when just wanting to see if the ram is good.

check this (http://www.memtest.org)

[Smith]

Heres something to look at. I remember when I first got this computer I couldnt get the OCZ low latency ram I wanted. The guy said he couldnt get the computer to boot up with it. So I was looking around the interweb and I found this thread. Seems a lot of people are having problems with my mobo. Infact almost every other post says "avoid this board" What does this mean for me?

Edit/ After further reaserch ive discovered my board only puts out under 2.0v for ram(1.95 MAX, which means I wont be able to run my low latency ram at stock speeds (let alone oc it)

So now it looks like im going to need a new mobo to get the best out of my ram...Do I have any other options?

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=29&threadid=1908388&FTVAR_STKEYWORDFRM=&STARTPAGE=1&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

[clocker]

RAM latency is overrated.
Yeah, lower is better but I wouldn't get too excited about it.

If you decide to replace the motherboard I'd just ditch the AM2 platform altogether and jump to Intel.

[Smith]

Thats what I'm thinking now. After even more research most people with this mobo are getting 5-5-5-18 timings.

I think im going to jump to core 2 duo within the next few months..but I dont know anything about these things.

What should I be looking for? (gaming wise)

e/ Lets put it this way. Hows this board: http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014019&cid=MB.157

Ive done some searching and for 150$ that seems to be my best choice?