RAM descisions

[Lord_Kitty]

So, I'm in a dilemma about which RAM to buy for my system (3570K). I have 2 options.

I can buy a 2x4GB Crucial Ballistix Sport 1600 MHz. Its.around $75 + $45 shipping to my country. That's actually a good deal, plus I will have by next week.

The other is a Mushkin 2400MHz kit at around $95 + $25 shipping. That's also a good deal. But it can take over a month to get to me.

Is it worth it to buy the 2400MHz RAM. I know the performance difference is very small, but I guess I could run it at a lower frequency with very tight timings. Or I could just go with the Ballistix Sport and have a good kit, and supposedly safer shipping.

Both kits are on eBay and from US sellers. The overall prices including shipping are similar to each other, and a little higher than local prices. It seems that local shops (I'm from Mauritius) have difficulty keeping a good stock of RAM. The ones who do have a few kits in stock are selling it at an inflated price, just like AMD cards in NA.

 

 

EDIT: Fixed a lot of mistakes. I posted this on a phone

Edited March 1, 2014 by Lord_Kitty

[Hotnuggets]

So, I'm in a dilemma about which RAM to buy for my system (3570K). I have 2 options.

I can buy a 2x4GB Crucial Ballistix Sport 1600 MHz. Its.around $75 + $45 shipping to my country. That's actually a good deal, plus I will have by next week.

The other is a Mushkin 2400MHz kit at around $95 + $25 shipping. That's also a good deal. I can take over a month to get to me.

Is it worth it to buy the 2400MHz RAM. I know the performancr difference is very small, but I guess I could run it at a lower frequency wih very tight timings. Or I could just go woth the Ballistix Sport and have a good kit, and supposedly safer shipping.

Both kits are on eBay and from US sellers. The overall prices including shipping are similar and a little higher than local prices. It seems that local shops (I'm from Mauritius) have difficulty keeping a good stock of RAM. The ones who do have a few kits in stock are selling it at a big inflated price, just like AMD cards in NA.

just get the 2x4gb Crucial Ballistix kit. You wont even notice the performance difference between the 1600mhz and the 2400mhz, plus youll get the ram within a week instead of a month.

[dizmo]

What's the CAS of each set?

I am leaning more to the set you'll get quicker, but do you need it or are you "upgrading"?

[Flyguygamer]

Get the slower ram and save the cash and get it sooner. The extra speed doesn't do much.

[Analog]

Absolutely no point of higher frequency RAM, unless you get it for cheap. 

[Lord_Kitty]

What's the CAS of each set?

I am leaning more to the set you'll get quicker, but do you need it or are you "upgrading"?

 

The Ballistix is CL9 and the Mushkin one is 11-13-13-31 at 1.65V.

 

Absolutely no point of higher frequency RAM, unless you get it for cheap. 

 

That's why I'm having problems deciding. Both are the same price when accounted for shipping. I will just receive the Crucial one sooner.

[LukaP]

Get the ballistix. You wont notice speed difference. You will notice shipping speed

[dizmo]

The Ballistix is CL9 and the Mushkin one is 11-13-13-31 at 1.65V.

 

 

That's why I'm having problems deciding. Both are the same price when accounted for shipping. I will just receive the Crucial one sooner.

Definitely the Ballistix then. They're basically the same speed.

[Lord_Kitty]

Definitely the Ballistix then. They're basically the same speed.

 

 

What I was thinking is that, if the stick can run at 2400MHz CL11, maybe it will run at 1600MHz or even 1866 at CL7/8, right? Or am I completely off?

 

Anyway, I think I'll go for the Ballistix. I've been using a 2GB Kingston Value RAM while waiting for better and also, for the 270X I ordered to arrive.

[dizmo]

What I was thinking is that, if the stick can run at 2400MHz CL11, maybe it will run at 1600MHz or even 1866 at CL7/8, right? Or am I completely off?

 

Anyway, I think I'll go for the Ballistix. I've been using a 2GB Kingston Value RAM while waiting for better and also, for the 270X I ordered to arrive.

My dad's explained changing RAM timings and over clocking and such a few times to me and I can never remember how it works.

I think you've got the basic idea though. It's usually best to go for the lowest CAS and the highest MHZ you can. 1866mhz is the sweet spot for performance to cost ratio.

[Lord_Kitty]

Alright, I'm going to order the Crucial Ballistix Sport. If anyone want to add anything, please do so.