Cruical Or Mushkin - Can't Decide

[Sky]

Well I've been looking over the Crucial Ballistix ram:

http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=BL2KIT12864AA804

And Mushkin XP2-6400:

http://www.mushkin.com/doc/products/memory_detail.asp?id=350

And it's been a toss up as to which I'd like to get for the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ClassValue=Motherboard&ProductID=2543&ProductName=GA-P35-DS3R

I know boards can be picky with ram, and so far I've never run into these issues, since all I've used so far is Corsair, and OCZ, but in order to get the same lower CAS4 I'd have to pay more.

Right now Mwave has the Crucial selling for $101, and that made me think real hard for that, hehe. ;)

Anyhow in the past I've heard a lot of people having compatibility issues with Mushkin, but I wonder if nowadays they are just as trust worthy as anyone. Plus from what I gather, even if you don't overclock, I've heard the Mushkin is suppose to be the fastest running out there.

I'm only going to use the stock timings of the Crucial 4-4-4-12, or Mushkin 4-4-3-10.

What's with all this 1.8v ram/motherboard issues I'm hearing, and what's so special about 1.8v?

Also I know DDR3 is around the corner, do you think that PC28500 will make a big difference in performance over PC26400 running at stock?

Now that I think about it, I wonder if I should get PC28500 instead, and Gigabyte's specs on the motherboard say to look at their "Memory Support List" for memory support information, but so many companies do that, and the memory half the time you want to use isn't listed, so I'm hoping this Ballistix PC28500 wouldn't have issues then with the board.

What do you guys think?

P.S. I'm just using the stock speed and timings. I'm not overclocking...

[rybeck]

Hmm... that's hard to choose...
IMHO, as being one just purchased the Crucial RAM from mwave (yes, it was sweet price tag~), I rather stay with the less money if there are no much difference.
Both are based on Micron D9 (I bet you did research...), and Crucial is on sale.
INot sure what will make difference if you ain't planning OC with them though..
In my case, I was struggling between Crucial and G.Skill...

What is this rig for? I won't get the top notch unless there is absolute reason for that... Yes, ddr3 is coming but it will take awhile until it settles down. Save some bucks for bit later, and then if you really need to upgrade the RAM, I will jump on the newer technology.. Still this just my own theory...

[Sky]

Well I wonder if running at stock speeds now, if PC28500 is going to make much difference over PC26400, or if better just to go with PC26400, and save the money for when DDR3 comes out...

Hmm :confused:

[rybeck]

@sky,

Is this rig for CAD or something RAM crabbing works?
Since I was in searching for my rig with 4GB RAM (4 of 1 sticks), and the rig was for 3d modeling work. Is there any particular reason you need to have 1066Mhz?
I am just curious...

[Sky]

This is just going to be for gaming.

[Sphere]

Either should be fine, but I'm just partial to Crucial.

[Sky]

Actually for the money if this board isn't to picky about the ram and volts, I'd love to get the Mushkin XP2-8500

http://www.mushkin.com/doc/products/memory_detail.asp?id=523

This stuff is cheap :D

[hstuehmeyer2000]

i say neither, i would buy this, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208283

[rybeck]

What's with all this 1.8v ram/motherboard issues I'm hearing, and what's so special about 1.8v?



Lower voltage requires, less heat you expect. Since heat is one of causes unstable commuting, you'd love to cool them down as best as you can.

I am not hardcore gamer but I noticed game rig usually equipped with faster components for the sake of gaining faster FPS. If you want to go with value RAM, I'll look for Micron D9 chip memory, and OC reasonably... Let's say look for what's inside not outside... Also consider NB cooling as well as CPU cooling... since it's where getting busy traffic (=heat will be generated)...

[Sky]

i say neither, i would buy this, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208283

Hmm transcendusa.com never heard of them. :confused:

Can't say I'd be interested, I've typically used Corsair and OCZ, and all I'm considering at this point is either Crucial or Mushkin.

And I'm sure Crucial makes much better ram. :D

[jamiee]

I'm running the Mushkin (2x2Gb) XP2-6400 kit overclock'd at 1066Mhz (5,4,4,12 - 2.3v)
They've been running solid in an Asus Striker Extreme board for over a month now.

Before the Mushkin I was running Corsair (2x1Gb) XMS2 6400C4 that wouldn't clock much past 900Mhz no matter the timing or voltage used.

[(cf)Eclipse]

the ballistix are.. cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565


and those 2x2gb mushkin are awesome, i've been messing around with a kit myself, but it costs 3x more... and 4gb isn't really needed yet :(