Crucial Ballistix vs Corsair XMS2

[Sojo]

Which one should I buy?
I'm going to use it with E8400. I intend to oc. So the candidates are:

Crucial Ballistix 2GB PC2-6400 48$ - BL2KIT12864AA804
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/images/Enlarge_image/large/80061-9_A.jpg

Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB 52$ - BL2KIT12864AL804
http://ai.pricegrabber.com/pi/2/45/82/24582321_640.jpg

Corsair XMS2 2GB PC2-6400 35$ - TWIN2X20486400C4
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/images/product/85025-5.jpg

Corsair XMS2 2GB PC2-6400 57$ - TWIN2X20486400C4DHX
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/images/Enlarge_image/large/85025-30_A.jpg

These prices are after rebate. (Gathered from Newegg, Zipzoomfly and Buy.com)

[lodingi]

I am using Crucial but you can't go wrong with Corsair. It's a toss up.

[omz]

many people choose crucial because they always use Micron chips on their RAM. these chips are known to overclock really well. the difference between teh tracers and normal ballistix is that the tracers have LED lights while the normal ones do not. i'm pretty sure that they both use the same micron chips, so if you like the lights go for it:p
people choose corsair because they are a really well known rband...however, you aren't guaranteed any sort of memory chip. you can try googling the ddr2 ram list and look up your part number to see what chip you will most likely get.

one thing that many people experience with ballistix tough is that the sticks decay over time... some people have their sticks hold the OC for the lifetime of the computer, while otehrs have issues at stock speed after a couple weeks.

personally, i like those yellow heat spreaders on the ballistix;)

[squares]

I have the tracers, lights blink furiously.

[Hulto]

There aren't any reasons why one should choose XMS2. Micron D9GMH are known for their overclocking potential, something which XMS2 isn't.

[AmongTheChosenX]

There aren't any reasons why one should choose XMS2. Micron D9GMH are known for their overclocking potential, something which XMS2 isn't.

this only makes me feel even better that I just bought Ballistix :)

[WaTaGuMp]

I just upgraded my CPU Mobo and RAM not to long ago and I went with Crucial Ballistix Tracers,personally they are both good go with what you can get cheaper.

[E4g1e]

There aren't any reasons why one should choose XMS2. Micron D9GMH are known for their overclocking potential, something which XMS2 isn't.

Only partially true. While the Micron part is true, the XMS2 may use Micron chips or some other companies' chips. You'll have to crack the codes in order to determine which company's IC chips the XMS2 uses.

[AmongTheChosenX]

Only partially true. While the Micron part is true, the XMS2 may use Micron chips or some other companies' chips. You'll have to crack the codes in order to determine which company's IC chips the XMS2 uses.



couldnt you jsut pry the heatspreader off and look at the chips?

[E4g1e]

couldnt you jsut pry the heatspreader off and look at the chips?

You could -- if you want to risk voiding the factory warranty altogether.

And not all Crucial-branded DDR2 memory modules use Micron IC chips.

[Ste]

couldnt you jsut pry the heatspreader off and look at the chips?

Not to mention that fact that you can damage the RAM by removing the spreader. Sometimes the adhesive is so strong that some of the chips will be pulled off, so be extra careful if you choose to do so.

I would just leave them on.

[RugenNixie]

I just wish that Crucial made something other than bare stick 4GB kits.



http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/935/1/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=935)

[skudmunky]

I just wish that Crucial made something other than bare stick 4GB kits.



http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/935/1/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=935)

Me too. I'm probably going to go with 2x2 gig of the G.Skill ram everybody is talking about since there's no 2x2 gig crucial ram. Though, 4x1 gig of the Tracer is also appealing.

[AmongTheChosenX]

yeah i considered the Gskill route too, but i figured the ballistx we're higher quality RAM. I love the performance of them. Sometimes I forget I only have 2 gigs and not 4!

[BlindedByScience]

A lone vote for Mushkin memory (http://www.mushkin.com/). I had issues with my Ballistix memory (RMA'd twice over 18 mos) but the Mushkin in my wife's machine convinced me to get some for my old dinosaur. I have recommended this memory to friends for builds and without exception, every one one is really pleased with the performance.

Truth is you've probably got the three best memory companies in the business listed; Ballistix (Micron), Corsair, and Mushkin. You'd probably do very well with any of them.

Watch the leading brands for a sale....that's what I do....:cool:

[nefariouscaine]

I vote for Crucial *but* I must say that to a certain extent the failing issue mentioned above holds true

I currently got my 2nd freshest kit of Ballistix (got another unused) and i have them under clocked to extremely tight timings at low voltage (1.92v per bios)

I had a couple (3 kits actually) of kits of the Ballistix Anniversary series (god I loved those blue heatspreaders) and they overclocked like mad but over all the shelf life IMO of *those* sticks wasn't very long.
They ran fine at stock and never had issues until I tried to push the envelope with clocks/voltage etc - like running CAS3 at 800mhz (and then trying for T1...)

Crucial also has excellent customer service and after basically frying my kits I got new shinny ones in about 7-10 days time. I never told them the nice things I did to their pretty memory and they didn't ask - and didn't ask where I got them or that I send a copy of the receipt. I just sent in my RMA'd kit and got new ones.

[Skott]

If you want to just run something stock and stay cheap the XMS2 6400C4 are good for that. They'll OC a moderate amount. I've used them before. If you want to OC beyond moderate (more than a 25% OC) then Ballistix. I dont care for the LED on RAM but thats the only reason I wouldnt choose the Tracers. They tend to be more expensive too because of the LED. Just fluff really but if you want fluff they work fine. I voted for the Crucial Ballistix. I'm using them in latest build and they work great and not overly expensive.

[dj_2004]

I voted regular Ballistix. While I also own the Tracer variant, I do not see the reason to spend more for annoying, although mesmerizing, LEDs.

Corsair and Crucial are both great companies but I feel that Ballistix will overclock a bit more.

Also, what place are you getting the $52 figure from? Newegg has it for $40 after MIR with no shipping.

[Sojo]

Thanks for your advices. I bought 2 pairs of Tracers from newegg 75$-35 (rebate) 40$. Good deal I think. :)