RAM deal:

[Snarkasm]

Hey guys, I saw a RAM deal that ends Sunday and was wondering if the RAM it was offering was any good, as I'm looking to go to 4 gigs.

It's the OCZ "Vista Upgrade" 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 800 SDRAM (PC2 6400) Dual Channel, part number OCZ2VU8002GK. Some specs:

* 800MHz DDR2
* CL 5-5-5-15
* 2GB (2x1024) dual channel optimized kit
* Unbuffered
* Copper Mirrored XTC Heatspreader*
* Lifetime Warranty
* 2.1Volts
* 240 Pin DIMM

Just want to know if I'll be happy with 4 gigs of this, or if I should be looking at other brands/timings/speeds. I know they're just calling it a "Vista Upgrade" for marketing BS, so don't worry about that, I'd just rather not waste my money on something that isn't good hardware.

Thanks for your inputs on short notice.

[Leonardo]

Since you didn't post your system specs, I've got to ask:

What motherboard? What operating system? What CPU? Is your motherboard capable of 2.1volts? But actually, the "2.1" just means OCZ still warrants the RAM for operation up to 2.1 volts. 5-5-5-15 is nothing special performance-wise, but that's still good quality RAM you're looking at. If you are using WinXP (not 64-bit) it can use only a maximum of 3GB RAM. But then, you'll get more boost from 3 gigs than from 2!

Unless you are very sensitive to slight performance changes, you probably wouldn't notice the difference between 4-4-4 and 5-5-5. Some hard core gamers say it makes a noticeable difference. If that OCZ is at 4Gb is a better price than other big name brands of the same speed and timings rating, sure, why not.

[Snarkasm]

Whoop, sorry, forgot the necessaries.

AMD X2 6000+ on an Asus Crosshair mobo, Nvidia 7950GTKO, lots of hard drive space
Vista x64
Some gaming, lots of F@H, graphics/video work, and general office/browsing/chat requirements.

The Crosshair is a pretty advanced mobo, so while I haven't checked the specs juuust yet, I'm sure I've seen voltage fields in bios, so I'm fairly confident it'll hit 2.1v if I tell it to. Thanks again, and super thanks for the quick reply.

[Hawk]

Here's a better deal... $44.99 after MIR Deals only good till 10/10 Weds. http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA4308301&cmp=AFC-CJ_CBIT
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-15 ATI CrossFire Certified Dual Channel Kit Retail OCZ2P800R22GK

[Snarkasm]

Just found this deal, too: Ballistix 2 GB memory dual-channel for $55;

Speed: PC2-6400 800Mhz
Latency: 4-4-4-12
Signal Processing: UNBUFFERED
Error Checking: NON-ECC
Voltage: 2.2V
Configuration: 128MB x 64
Warranty: Lifetime Limited
Manufacturer Part Number: BL2KIT12864AL804

But for the price, it looks like Hawk's deal is better. What do you guys think?

[Thrax]

You know you can't use 4GB without using 64Bit Windows, which is even slower and buggier than 32bit Vista, right?

[Leonardo]

AMD X2 6000+ on an Asus Crosshair mobo, Nvidia 7950GTKO, lots of hard drive space Vista x64 Looks like he's good to go, Thrax.

[Thrax]

Looks like it. Enjoy the bumpy ride. :)

[Snarkasm]

I've been running x64 Vista for the last 4 months, haven't had a problem with it aside from having to do lots of administrator work for Folding.