does memory brand really matter?

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I was
originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x the price
of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a significant
difference in quality/performance/reliability or should I go for one of
the cheaper options?

here's what I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...37330GZ&DEPA=0

thanks

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
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** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:27:36 -0400, Nate Nagel thoughfully wrote:

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I was
originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x the price
of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a significant
difference in quality/performance/reliability or should I go for one of
the cheaper options?

here's what I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?
submit=ENE&Configurator=MemoryConfigurator&CFG=CFG 0037330GZ&DEPA=0

thanks

nate

Any of the generic name brands shown should work, actual performance not
a factor. Just check the memory module specifications against the
motherboards specified requirements.

If the memory module doesn't work you'll have to add in shipping costs
for exchanging the memory.

On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:27:36 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I was
originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x the price
of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a significant
difference in quality/performance/reliability or should I go for one of
the cheaper options?

here's what I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...37330GZ&DEPA=0

thanks

nate

Kingston memory is often no better and sometimes worse than
other brands, there is no justification at all for it to
cost more.

I'd get this one, haven't had any problems with A-Data
memory and it's priced a little better than some because of
the free shipping. Plus, on the off chance that the memory
doesn't work (similar chance with the Kingston or any
other), having free shipping means you aren't out that cost
when you get a refund.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211132

"jaster" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:27:36 -0400, Nate Nagel thoughfully wrote:

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I was
originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x the price
of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a significant
difference in quality/performance/reliability or should I go for one of
the cheaper options?

here's what I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?
submit=ENE&Configurator=MemoryConfigurator&CFG=CFG 0037330GZ&DEPA=0

thanks

nate

Any of the generic name brands shown should work, actual performance not
a factor. Just check the memory module specifications against the
motherboards specified requirements.

If the memory module doesn't work you'll have to add in shipping costs
for exchanging the memory.


Although the "generic" memory should probably be OK...
I have definately had problems with that on the very low end of the
price-spectrum...

If it's guaranteed to work, then the risk isn't too great however.

By all means avoid the cheap stuff, that cannot be returned!!!

On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:04:15 -0500, philo thoughfully wrote:

"jaster" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:27:36 -0400, Nate Nagel thoughfully wrote:

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I
was originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x the
price of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a
significant difference in quality/performance/reliability or should I
go for one of the cheaper options?

here's what I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?
submit=ENE&Configurator=MemoryConfigurator&CFG=CFG 0037330GZ&DEPA=0

thanks

nate

Any of the generic name brands shown should work, actual performance
not a factor. Just check the memory module specifications against the
motherboards specified requirements.

If the memory module doesn't work you'll have to add in shipping costs
for exchanging the memory.


Although the "generic" memory should probably be OK... I have definately
had problems with that on the very low end of the price-spectrum...

If it's guaranteed to work, then the risk isn't too great however.

By all means avoid the cheap stuff, that cannot be returned!!!

I tried to exclude the cheap stuff by stating those shown in his link.
However, I've never used A-Data and I've had problems with Crucial,
Kingston and Corsair before with Kingston being the most costly
experience.

Nate Nagel wrote:

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I was
originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x the price
of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a significant
difference in quality/performance/reliability or should I go for one of
the cheaper options?

You want memory modules made with prime quality chips, that is, chips
that passed all of the chip manufacturer's tests and are guaranteed to
meet all its published specifications. These chips will have their
full manufacturer part numbers printed on them, and if you Google such
a number you'll get dozens of pages of technical information about the
chip.

Unfortunately most retail memory modules aren't made with prime
quality chips but instead with either UTT -- UnTesTed -- chips, which
weren't fully tested at the factory or didn't pass all tests. Module
makers buy these and test the chips themselves, or with whole wafers
(can't be fully tested) that the module maker slices and dices
itself. Unfortunately module makers don't seem to be as strict or
sophisticated as the chip makers are, and many module companies test
with nothing but ordinary PCs.

AFAIK, the only sure way to get retail modules with prime quality
chips on them is by choosing Crucial/Micron modules that do NOT have
heatsinks on them and that are rated to run reliably at standard
voltage (3.3V for SDR, 2.5V for DDR, 1.8V for DDR2). The ones I've
bought were made with Micron, Elpida, or Samsung chips, and, oddly,
the later modules were even made by Samsung. OTOH Crucial's Ballistix
DDR2 memory modules, which have been subject of a lot of consumer
complaints, have heatsinks stuck to their chips, their chips aren't
marked with standard Micron part numbers, and they're specified to run
at 2.0V or higher. Avoid.

Whatever modules you buy, test them overnight with at least two
unrelated memory diagnostics, including MemTest86 ver. 3.x and Gold
Memory ver. 5.x, and don't accept even a single defective bit when the
modules are run at their default SPD settings.

Joel wrote:
kony wrote:

On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:27:36 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I was
originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x the price
of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a significant
difference in quality/performance/reliability or should I go for one of
the cheaper options?

here's what I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...37330GZ&DEPA=0

thanks

nate
Kingston memory is often no better and sometimes worse than
other brands, there is no justification at all for it to
cost more.

I'd get this one, haven't had any problems with A-Data
memory and it's priced a little better than some because of
the free shipping. Plus, on the off chance that the memory
doesn't work (similar chance with the Kingston or any
other), having free shipping means you aren't out that cost
when you get a refund.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211132

I too have no problem with any brand. Last month I bought total 6GB (2)
2GB and (1) 1GB DDR2 to upgrade the new notebooks to 2GB (only upto 2GB max)
and 4GB (upto 4GB max, and the 2GB go to other notebook).

Here, we have 4 notebooks, 3 desktops, and I don't remember the brand's.

thanks for the replies guys, I stopped by Micro Center this AM and they
had PNY memory on sale and with a rebate, my cost $29.99 after rebate, I
bought it, it's in and working now (computer says it recognizes 1.46GB
RAM) we will see if it runs AutoCAD any quicker now. Have not run any
tests on them, I just shoved it in and powered up a few minutes ago, but
so far so good.

nate

On Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:10:42 -0500, Joel thoughfully wrote:

jaster wrote:

On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:04:15 -0500, philo thoughfully wrote:

"jaster" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:27:36 -0400, Nate Nagel thoughfully wrote:

I'd like to upgrade the memory in my laptop (old Gateway 7330GZ) I
was originally going to just go with Kingston, but it's about 2x
the price of many of the other options for a 1GB DDR. Is there a
significant difference in quality/performance/reliability or
should I go for one of the cheaper options?

here's what I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?
submit=ENE&Configurator=MemoryConfigurator&CFG=CFG 0037330GZ&DEPA=0

thanks

nate

Any of the generic name brands shown should work, actual performance
not a factor. Just check the memory module specifications against
the motherboards specified requirements.

If the memory module doesn't work you'll have to add in shipping
costs for exchanging the memory.


Although the "generic" memory should probably be OK... I have
definately had problems with that on the very low end of the
price-spectrum...

If it's guaranteed to work, then the risk isn't too great however.

By all means avoid the cheap stuff, that cannot be returned!!!

I tried to exclude the cheap stuff by stating those shown in his link.
However, I've never used A-Data and I've had problems with Crucial,
Kingston and Corsair before with Kingston being the most costly
experience.

Matter fact, I do read few reported having memory problem but
very very
rare to almost never run into one (unless Google for all people with
memory problem then it's another story). And if you have problem with
all those brands then I guess memory isn't your game.

Or I don't know how many manufacture in the whole world making
memory
chip, but I don't think there is many. And if 4 isn't the max number
then it could be 1/2 to 3/4 of total manufactures (just guessing).

Actually, its more the motherboard is incompatible with the memory. For
the Kingston it was a density problem. For others, it was modules from
2 different manufacturers wouldn't work together and Corsairs XMS2 DHX
wouldn't work in board but XMS2 does.