Help required choosing RAM please

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euanandrews

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#25629 27-Aug-2008 13:43

Memory/RAM appears to be a boring choice for my HTPC, but I still want to get the best/most suitable, while still spending as little as possible, although I am willing to spend more if the extra spent is justified...

What do you guys recommend?

I am looking at 2GB min, possibly 4GB....

I have so far narrowed down to these selections, but want to know if its worth spending almost double for the more expensive models...

2GB choices:
- Corsair XMS2, 2x1GB, DDR2-800 - $97
- Corsair Dominator, 2x1GB, DDR2-1066 - $138
4GB choices:
- Corsair XMS2, 2x2GB, DDR2-800 - $190
- Corsair Dominator, 2x2GB, DDR2-1066, fan - $274

Is there a noticable performance increase?
Do they run cooler with the built-in heatsinks?

kiwijunglist

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#160140 27-Aug-2008 13:48

you should check google, but from what i've read 2gb is plenty for exclusive HTPC and it doesn't need to be fast ram.
however an advantage of 4gb is ability to make a ram drive and use the ram drive for timeshifting
advantage = decreased harddrive useage, hardrive lasts longer, less/zero hardrive noise for livetv.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

euanandrews

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#160175 27-Aug-2008 15:29

My system is built to look and work like a HTPC, but will also be used for everything else...will be my main system...
My Toshiba lappy gettin old and tired (to be retried to the bedroom) and the Compaq desktop is prehistoric, used only as emergency backup.

That said, I have no probs it being over-spec for a HTPC, and am also trying to future proof to some extent.

What you say about the RAM drive is interesting, I know nothing of that and will now research it to see if I would use it and what the benefits would be of doing so.

Asmodeus

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#160192 27-Aug-2008 15:56

Im also a little undecided on RAM. My HTPC will be primarily used for home theatre but I will be doing the occasional gaming on it.

Is this RAM sufficient?

http://www.elive.co.nz/view_product.php?product=p1424

It is listed as: SuperTalent DDR2 800 4GB w/ Heatsink 5-5-5-15 and Life Time Warranty - Made in USA

It's certainly cheap...

eXDee

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#160206 27-Aug-2008 16:24

The Corsair XMS2 is what you want, i'm running 2gb and it works good. Though ascent is $17 more than C1 for the 2gb which is a fairly good retailer, but i just asked ComputerLounge to price match it instead.
Remember if you choose 4gb you have to run Vista 64bit in order to be able to use all 4gb rather than 3.25ish due to 32bit + windows limitations.
You won't notice the difference between 1066 and 800, the main difference in the two is only noticed when it comes to overclocking.

@Asmodeus: Supertalent make pretty good ram for cheap, its better than generic and is recommended for the budget buy.

Asmodeus

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#160214 27-Aug-2008 16:34

eXDee: The Corsair XMS2 is what you want, i'm running 2gb and it works good. Though ascent is $17 more than C1 for the 2gb which is a fairly good retailer, but i just asked ComputerLounge to price match it instead.
Remember if you choose 4gb you have to run Vista 64bit in order to be able to use all 4gb rather than 3.25ish due to 32bit + windows limitations.
You won't notice the difference between 1066 and 800, the main difference in the two is only noticed when it comes to overclocking.

@Asmodeus: Supertalent make pretty good ram for cheap, its better than generic and is recommended for the budget buy.

Thanks eXDee. So you dont anticipate it would be a bottleneck when I did my occasional gaming and would cope with HDTV/Bluray playing no probs?

Will also have a look at the XMS2 as am flexible

rhysb

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#160396 28-Aug-2008 10:45

You haven't specified what OS you will be using, but I presume you will be using Vista. Vista makes very good use of extra ram, so I would recommend buying more ram rather than faster ram. The performance difference of "performance" memory in the overall system is very small when you take into account the CPU, HDD and GFX.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

Asmodeus

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#160412 28-Aug-2008 11:22

rhysb: You haven't specified what OS you will be using, but I presume you will be using Vista. Vista makes very good use of extra ram, so I would recommend buying more ram rather than faster ram. The performance difference of "performance" memory in the overall system is very small when you take into account the CPU, HDD and GFX.

Right thanks, yes I will be using Vista home premium x86. I may just go for the supertalent as the cost is nearing my limit now anyway

Cheers