DDR Ram

[CassH]

Hi i am not a poser i know that i know nothing about computer hardware but i would like to learn.

Today i went to go ge 512 MB of more Ram, but the lady at the computer shop told be there was diffrent types of DDR Ram how do i find out which one my compter use's or is the lady talking about something i dont need to know.

Thank you to anyone that can tell me.

[TekDragon]

DDR Ram is the current standard in memory. DDR2, and maybe DDR3 is on the horizon, but i know little about that and it's irrelevant either way.

Now, what she meant about there being different types of DDR Ram is that

1. Different companies make memory. Just like when you buy a TV, there are 20 companies making them.
2. The companies make different speeds of memory. Just like when you buy a TV, Sony might have 7 different TV sizes.

Now, i'll start off with speed. Speed is the most important aspect of memory, followed by the company (since some companies make inately better memory).

The quality and speed of memory is determined mainly by the following 2 terms: DDR and PC. These will be followed by numbers. Note: the DDR and PC numbers always match - if the DDR is 500 then the PC is 4000. Don't ask what the mathematical formula is, it's just how it works.

The most common speed brackets (organized from fastest to slowest) are as follows:
DDR533 PC4200
DDR500 PC4000 (Most common "extreme" machine memory)
DDR466 PC3700
DDR400 PC3200 (Most common "average gamer" memory)
DDR333 PC2700

There are more, but those are the most common.

The next aspect in measuring speed is the latency timings. These are very important. Timings are measured in 2 way, either 1 number or 4 numbers. The lower the numbers, the better.

Memory that only shows one number is almost ALWAYS slower than memory that shows all 4 numbers. Memory that shows all 4 numbers looks like this: 2-2-3-6 while memory that shows only 1 number often looks like this: 2.5.

2-2-3-6 is faster than 2.5.
2-2-3-6 is SLIGHTLY faster than 2-3-2-6 (note that the numbers add up to the same, but the initial numbers are more important).

Different companies have different timing standards. I'd suggest going with memory with timings of 2-3-3-8 or less.

The last topic is companies. This is a toss up depending on who you ask, but I suggest the following:

OCZ > Kingston > Corsair XMS

OCZ is my personal favorite.

Now, take everything I told you and go here: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=0

Those are ALL of OCZ's memory modules. Go through and compare the speeds (compare timings and the DDR/PC speeds).

Also look at sizes (1 gig = 1000mb).

Finally, look at whether it is dual channel or not. Dual channel means the memory is perfectly matched and can be used "dual channel" in a motherboard that supports that option.

The memory I recomend you get if your an average gamer?

This: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-896&depa=0

The memory I recomend you get if your an extreme gamer?

This:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-930&depa=0

Note - the timings are lower on the DDR500, but that's normal. Those timings will tighten up tremendously with just a bit of tweaking.

[CassH]

Wow thanks one last thing how do i find what speed of memory does my computer use do i look on th card i have in right know or is it ad to take them out after they have already been installed.

Again thanks where did you learn all this?

[Sanguinius]

hmmm. in regards to you thinking corsair is the worst... i have been told otherwise..

[Rbstr]

yeah Cosiar XL is the best memory out there. 2-2-2-5 (@400-433) nothing can beat it, thats the top spec DDR is capable of, it can also do DDR 500 cas 2.5 something.

[CassH]

its ok thanks i found out mine was 2100 and i got a 512 just today i know have 713 mb of ram :D i have enough ram for PA now i just need the 9800pro video card.

[TekDragon]

OCZ is just as fast as Corsair.

With that in mind, all the motherboard sites i've seen reccomend OCZ or Kingston but NEVER mention Corsair. On NewEgg you'll find dozens of reviews from people who bought corsair and found out it had problems with thier motherboard (even motherboards like Asus's P4*800 series.

[TekDragon]

CassH, go to Start - run - type in "dxdiag" - hit run. That's where you find out everything you need about your PC.

As for how i know? Well, my father was a computer specialist w mainframes. My brother is VP of technology at the Republican HQ "Leadership Institute" in DC. I build computers to help put me through college. And finally, I do about 3-4 hours of research a week on the new stuff coming out, and i've had days where i spent 5+ hours researching a single topic.

[Rbstr]

tek don't take it personal, but the XL are faster period, unless OCZ makes 2-2-2-5 chips that are better than the famed BH-5 chips made by winbond like the XL's are, also the people that have problems are far more likey to leave a bad message than the ones that have it work perfectly.

OCZ does make great ram however(to Cass), and so does kingston. It alls depends, sometimes you'll get a bum stick or an exceptional one. I've used kingston for all my memory and have been quite happy but for one bad stick, I picked up the OEM samsung DDR400 cas 3 gig, and it turns out i acctualy is 2.5 and with higher voltage and go 2-2-2-6. The memory depends on how much you want to spend.

[TekDragon]

As I said, OCZ is recomended by motherboard manufacturers. I NEVER hear ANY bad reviews about OCZ sticks not working with motherbaords. All the reviews i've read show OCZ having GREAT tech support, while Corsair is questionable.

Finally, OCZ is EXTREMELY overclocking friendly. Look at their site, they practically BEG you to overclock their chips and turn them from great to unparalleled.

[Electrofreak]

hmmm i try to stay away from the whole RAM fanboi arguements. In my opinion, Corsair, OCZ, Kingston, Mushkin and Geil all make great RAM. Some is a little bit faster and more expensive than others, but there isnt a HUGE difference between any of them. All of them are great quality. I personally go for Kingston because they aren't too expensive and are pretty reliable. Its all a matter of personal preferance and experience.

[Daleon]

Tek, you seriously need to get over your fear of Corsair memory. Sorry but they are one of the top memory makers around. I've also never cared what a MB manufacturer's suggested memory is either. But just taking a quick peak at Abit's site checking out quite a few mb's, I see corsair memory listed all over the place. So stop with the propaganda ok. If your trying to improve your OCZ stock or something just keep buying their memory.

If you truly understood how memory works and is made you would know name brand means little. As each model of ram is different because of the underlying chips used to make it. Which can change from samsung to winbond or infineon, etc all on the same name brand.

Also here is a nice little review putting OCZ heads up against corsair, showing OCZ is hardly the most error free ram around.
http://www.legitreviews.com/Reviews/ddr500_1.shtml

I'll put my 2+ year old XMS 3500 bh5 up against any ram you can find.