Kingston vs Crucial vs Simpletech vs ...

Hi everyone

I am going to upgrade my ram for the first time, and i was just trying to get some landmarks of the market. What are the big names? Which ones are usually the most expensive? What exactly should I look for when I try to compare two sticks ? and are the answers the same for laptops and desktops ?

Thanks a lot!
ludovic

 

Mushkin, Crucial, and Corsair, are probably the big names. (Also GeIL and OCZ).

Crucial is probably the most expensive.

However, personally, I would just go to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1+1052910525&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&SubCategory=381 (assuming you need DDR2), pick out the size you need, forget about the ones without lifetime warranty, make sure the bus speed I needed was supported (667 is what is usually recommended) look at the CAS rating (lower is better), read the reviews (with a grain of salt), and then . . . forget all that and buy the cheapest ones (j/k)

Seriously, I narrow it down that way and then if it's $3 or $4 for a brand I have heard of over one I haven't I'll pay the extra. If it's $15-$25 more for a brand I have heard of and the cheaper one has good reviews (and lifetime warranty), I'll buy the cheaper one.

Formats are different between desktops and notebooks, but concept and selection process are the same.

 

kingston, corsair, ocz, crucial>all

they are all good brands, most others I see are much cheaper quality IMHO. Find a good cheap module with one of those brands and youll be set.

 

I will not care about the brand name because all of them are very famous without doubt anymore. As long as they don't have any error by testing, i will be happy to use one of them.