Crucial RAM Question

[bullfrog_173]

I am currently looking for another 512mbs of RAM (mainly for Half Life 2 ), and while browsing Crucial's UK website I came across these two products:

CT6464Z40B

CT6464Z335


From what I can see, they both cost the same, but:
"CT6464Z40B" is PC3200, CL=3 and 2.6V ; while
"CT6464Z335" is PC2700, CL=2.5 and 2.5V

The question is, simply, "which one is better?" As you may have aleady realised ( ), I am still learning the basics, so I hope someone here could help me out.

Thanks

[mike_w]

PC3200 means that it runs at 200mhz, while PC2700 runs at 166mhz. Generally, RAM runs at the same speed as the CPU, so that's the limiting factor - what is your CPU? The PC3200 RAM is better though because it can run at greater speeds. The CL stands for cas latency. Basically, the lower the better, but the performance difference is neglible from what I've seen.

[bullfrog_173]

I have an athlon xp 3200, ASRock K7S8XE.

So is there any clear reason why they are both the same price?

Thanks for the quick reply

[mike_w]

In that case, you'll want the PC3200, since it runs at 200mhz, and the FSB of your CPU is 200 (and you want the memory and CPU FSB to run in sync). If you get PC2700, it'll be slowing your PC down.

I'd guess that they're the same price due to supply and demand - every wants PC3200, so price goes down, and less want PC2700 so price goes up.

Goodnight!

Mike

[bullfrog_173]

Thanks a lot, that killed an entire flock of birds with one pebble.

I guess I'm changing topic here, but is this good ram for the price? I mean, I won't overclock, I've heard crucial are a good make, it's in the price bracket I'm aiming for, and the product is right for my processor.... Do people here think this would be a reasonable buy?

(Oh yeah, and I know I don't need ECC, and need unbuffered / non-parity ram)

[demantik]

Thanks a lot, that killed an entire flock of birds with one pebble.

I guess I'm changing topic here, but is this good ram for the price? I mean, I won't overclock, I've heard crucial are a good make, it's in the price bracket I'm aiming for, and the product is right for my processor.... Do people here think this would be a reasonable buy?

(Oh yeah, and I know I don't need ECC, and need unbuffered / non-parity ram)

Any Branded Ram is good, unless your into overclocking.

I'd stay away from generic ram, Crucial are a top brand.

[bullfrog_173]

OK thanks Mike and demantik - this has helped a lot! I will keep looking at the prices of other manufacturers and take your advice into account, and I will probably come back here with more questions soon . Anyone else with any other tips to add: please do so.

Thanks,
James

[BenW]

Just get the Crucial Think they won PcPro's reliablility award for customer service this year aswell!