Kingston HyperX RAM - bad idea?

[BustaRomeo]

OK I've got 512MB DDR333 RAM and as you can imagine, Battlefield 2, even on medium settings, is unplayable for the most part because it is constantly writing/reading to/from the hard drive. My RAM is the most probable culprit, and I will upgrade it slowly after I get a new PSU. I'd like to eventually end up with 2GB, but it will come slowly.

My question is, Kingston HyperX RAM, is it worth it? The RAM is quite expensive, especially the ones with lower latencies which I'd like to get. Does HyperX RAM have any super advantage over their ValueRAM? Is RAM a very bad place to go cheap?

[TwoRails]

Value RAM in general is pretty good if you get a name brand. Extreme memeory is mainly for overclockers. If you're running a "stock" system, then value memory is good to go.

[Tin]

you only have 512MB of RAM installed. BF2 is a memory hog, 1GB should suit you fine with the settings youre trying to run. not just that, but youre also using 1 stick of memory that is a step below whats required for an 800FSB P4. you should get yourself something like 2x512MB or 2x1GB for your machine. dual channel is a must for a P4.

[ror_b211]

I personally don't reccommend HyperX, I've had a list of problems with mine, I even had to RMA the first kit I bought, and the kit I have now brings up a host of errors in Memtest86 (Although it seems to work OK). Also the price:latency ratio is pretty bad, I mean the PC4000's RRP is megabucks, the timings are 3-4-4-8 and the max frequency (I've found) is around 252mhz, even at 2.8v. I got it cheap, but if I was paying the full price I'd much rather go for Corsair, Crucial, G.Skill etc.

[BustaRomeo]

I know this. I just want to know whether I should go HyperX or settle for the (much) less expensive memory modules. I try go for the best performance I can afford.

[Tin]

are you overclocking? if so, buying Hyper X will gaurantee that youre getting the right chips for the job, although you could get Value RAM and luck out with the good chips as well, as i have in the past.

[discodanman45]

I have a question for you. In your signature it says you have DDR333 and a 800 MHz cpu. If this is true your RAM is either underclocking your cpu or it is not running 1:1 FSB. You should have pc3200 or DDR400 to match your cpu. I would recommend getting value RAM and staying away from the overclocking RAM. The reason for this is that you have an Intel mobo and you won't be able to overclock. By the way, how are you running that system and video card with a 300 Watt PSU?

[Cricket]

I think I'd stay away from Kingston RAM for now...I've had to RMA a few sticks and glc said the system assembler for their shop don't even use it anymore because of the amount of RAMs they had to do. Look at Corsair RAM...some of their Value Select sticks are CAS 2.5.

Cricket

[BustaRomeo]

Originally Posted by discodanman45 By the way, how are you running that system and video card with a 300 Watt PSU?

Very carefully I will be getting a 450/480W within the next 3 weeks. LoL, no matter what my post is about, people ask this question.

Originally Posted by Cricket CAS 2.5

What is that, and is it better if it's higher or lower? I've seen CAS 2.

So you think I should go for ValueRAM? I'd prefer to stick with Kingston because my dad is a distributor for a major supplier around here and he can get them for very low prices; they don't have Corsair. Unless Kingston is totally out of the question I'd prefer it. Unless Corsair is better for the same price? Your pick.