Need ram suggestions

[Conall]

One of my sticks of Crucial Ballistix died tonight, and I'm looking to upgrade to something better in case the other is bad as well. I've had nothing but trouble from this ram since installing it three years ago, so I wouldn't be a bit surprised..

I don't keep up with computer parts anymore, and have no idea what I should get.
I'd like something well made, reliable, and of course compatible with my motherboard, a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L. I don't really do anything requiring a lot of memory, and just want to replace the 2GB (Or rather 1GB, now..) I currently have with another 2GB. Don't want a single stick, but rather two 1GB sticks just in case something like this happens again.

So, in short, what is the best set of 1GB sticks I can get for under $100?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Asylum]

I've all ways had good luck with kingston.

This should fit the bill.

Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM D...

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

I have a Gigabyte ep45-ud3r. I have never had a problem with Gskill memory. If you're in the US try the following newegg link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611+600006042+600006112&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=147&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

I would recommend the following though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

The extra 2 gigs will drastically improve your experience if you're run windows xp. The RMA process is nearly painless, and newegg is king on the customer service.

Otherwise, go with the kingston hyperx:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104008

Both options offer good timings (5-5-5-15), the correct voltages, and are well under the $100 price point (even with shipping).

 

[LagunaX]

G.Skill has never disappointed me as far as a dead stick while Crucial Ballistix has ( though they replaced them).
Either the 1066 G.Skill or Kingston - the price is about the same.
Too bad you can't find Mushkin, Patriot, or Team Xtreem DDR2 anymore - that was great micron ram!

 

[Conall]

Four gigs wouldn't help me much since I'm using 32bit Windows XP..
This reminded me, though.. Can't a 32bit OS support up to three gigs?
I took quick look on Newegg and found some 3x1gb memory for about the same as the 2gb of Kingston Asylum mentioned.

I noticed some differences in the description compared to my current ram.
They say triple channel instead of dual channel, ddr3 instead of ddr2, and pc3 instead of pc2.
I have no idea what any of this means, and don't know if any of that would make it incompatible with my computer or not. Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[cheesy999]

Four gigs wouldn't help me much since I'm using 32bit Windows XP..
This reminded me, though.. Can't a 32bit OS support up to three gigs?
I took quick look on Newegg and found some 3x1gb memory for about the same as the 2gb of Kingston Asylum mentioned.

I noticed some differences in the description compared to my current ram.
They say triple channel instead of dual channel, ddr3 instead of ddr2, and pc3 instead of pc2.
I have no idea what any of this means, and don't know if any of that would make it incompatible with my computer or not. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Its DDR3 not DDR2 so it will be incompatible

 

[Conall]

Well that narrows it down, thanks.
I've been reading reviews for the ram I've been finding on Newegg and some of the manufacturer responses say to insure your bios are up to date.
In the three years since I built this machine, I have never updated that. I assume that would be a problem.. Is there anything I need to know about updating the bios, or is it no more complicated than updating anything else?

 

[Bo$$]

One of my sticks of Crucial Ballistix died tonight, and I'm looking to upgrade to something better in case the other is bad as well. I've had nothing but trouble from this ram since installing it three years ago, so I wouldn't be a bit surprised..

I don't keep up with computer parts anymore, and have no idea what I should get.
I'd like something well made, reliable, and of course compatible with my motherboard, a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L. I don't really do anything requiring a lot of memory, and just want to replace the 2GB (Or rather 1GB, now..) I currently have with another 2GB. Don't want a single stick, but rather two 1GB sticks just in case something like this happens again.

So, in short, what is the best set of 1GB sticks I can get for under $100?
Thanks in advance.

crucial give a lifetime warranty
try and RMA the sticks

 

[Conall]

I know they do, but I don't want to use their ram again and also want a replacement faster than I'd likely get by RMA'ing.
I'll still look into having it replaced after I get the new ram, so I'll have some backups.

Edit: Got a question about timings and speed.
High speed and low timings are ideal, correct?
This is the ram I have now; Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM...
I've been seeing a lot of ram that has more speed but also higher timings.
Specifically, "DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) 5-5-5-15".
Would that be better or worse than what I currently have?

 

[cheesy999]

I know they do, but I don't want to use their ram again and also want a replacement faster than I'd likely get by RMA'ing.
I'll still look into having it replaced after I get the new ram, so I'll have some backups.

Edit: Got a question about timings and speed.
High speed and low timings are ideal, correct?
This is the ram I have now; Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM...
I've been seeing a lot of ram that has more speed but also higher timings.
Specifically, "DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) 5-5-5-15".
Would that be better or worse than what I currently have?

slightly faster overall
try something like this G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM ...

 

[Conall]

That's interesting. That costs the same as what lilhasselhoffer recommended, even though it's apparently slower.

So, I've narrowed it down to these two. Is there any reason to get one over the other besides speed? The slower one must cost the same for a reason, after all..
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066...
G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM ...

Yes, 4gb. I can't use all four, but I'll still get three out of it which is better than what I've got now.
..That is right, isn't it? Would my computer recognize the second 2gb stick at all?

 

[cheesy999]

Yes, 4gb. I can't use all four, but I'll still get three out of it which is better than what I've got now.
..That is right, isn't it? Would my computer recognize the second 2gb stick at all?

yeah, my computer recognises 3.25gb and i'm using 2x2gb sticks, your set up is very similar to mine so it should work about the same

 

[Dave63]

This is the set I have and very happy with them.
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 ...

 

[Conall]

Finally made my decision.
I decided on three of these. I figure it's essentially the same thing as the ram in the top link of my last post, so why not. Don't have to pay for an extra gigabyte I can't use this way.

After building this computer you'd think I'd know more than I do about them.. but it seems the more I think I know, the less I really do.
I've learned a lot from this, though. Thanks again to everyone who replied.

 

[LagunaX]

Good pick on the G.Skill and on 1066 ram.

I'd have probably gone with 4gb though, since the 512mb from your 8800gt will eat into your usable system ram in a 32 bit system - it's like you only have 1 1/2gb available for your system the way 32 bit windows allocates ram (I know it doesn't make sense but that is how it is).
Read Mussel's explanation here:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91260

That's why modern gamers try to run a 64 bit system so their 1or 2 gb video cards don't eat into their available system memory and they are not capped at 3.25gb.

If you still can cancel your purchase (it is Sunday and you might be able to do it on newegg's website) I would strongly recommend the 4gb 1066 pi black set.

 

[Dave63]

The G.Skill is a good pick but the 4gb would be better I agree with LagunaX use the extra for video.

 

[Conall]

I did not know that about the video card eating away at available ram..
Yeah, I can cancel it. Why the pi black set, though? Isn't the other set better?
Edit: Just realized you said the 1066 pi black set. I thought you meant the set I linked to, but that isn't 1066.

 

[Bo$$]

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2...
these will OC like a bitch @2.0v on a decent board, lifetime warranty and they are the best quality RAM you can buy

my crucial 800mhz kit does 1000MHZ @ 5-5-5-24 2.1v these corsair should easily surpass that

 

[LagunaX]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231246
$5 more you are paying for the heatspreaders.

If you are a newegg deals subscriber use promo code EMCKFJE26 for 10% off expires today.

These Kingston 2x2gb 1066 DDR2 kit are $73 and you can use the above promo too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104098&cm_re=kingston_1066_ddr2_4gb-_-20-104-098-_-Product

 

[Conall]

I don't do any overclocking, so how well something overclocks doesn't matter to me.
I think I'll go with that last set of G.Skill you linked to, LagunaX.

 

[LagunaX]

Just make sure you manually confirm or enter the ram speed, timings, and voltages in the bios or with CPU-z in windows.
A lot of DDR2 1066 ram is tested overclocked ddr2 667 or 800.

 

[Conall]

I've never done that before, but I reckon I can work it out.
Just downloaded cpu-z, and what it's saying about my current stick of ram is interesting..
The description here states that it's supposed to be 800mhz 4-4-4-12, but it's showing as 400mhz 5-5-5-18..
I guess I should have checked it back when I built this machine..

 

[LagunaX]

Yeah with the newer motherboards and DDR3 XMP profiles all you have to do is enable the XMP in bios.

But on older boards like yours for a lot your have to manually enter the settings in the bios or it will default to the lowest relaxed settings.

You sure are learning a lot today =)

 

[Conall]

Got the ram today and installed it.
3.5gb total, 3gb available. Very nice.
Now I need to know how to set the speed, timings, and voltage in the bios.
I had a quick look already, but had no idea what to do. Don't want to brick my machine, so here I am again..

 

[PaulieG]

Go into the bios. Look for the "M.I.T" section. You should find the memory timings under "Dram timings selectable". Change them manually to what the sticks call for. You are only changing the first 4 set of timing, which will match what is printed on the sticks. Now look for system voltage, then change Dram voltage to what the sticks need.