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    Another RAM Question

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by cavman, Oct 11, 2007.

  1. cavman

    cavman Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, so I just bought a Sager 5791 (Vista64), and am looking at putting 4 gb of ram in it. I'll use this computer mainly for gaming. Here's what I've found on Newegg so far:

    GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit NotebookBuffered/Registered: Unbuffered
    ECC: No
    Voltage: 1.8V
    Your Price:$259.99
    Mail-In Rebate: $90.00
    Price after rebate(s):$169.99

    G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit
    Buffered/Registered: Unbuffered
    Cas Latency: 5
    ECC: No
    Your Price:$169.99

    I'm considering the second one cause its up fronp price, don't have to deal with mail in rebates.
    can anyone explain what --buffered/unbuffered---cas latency---and ECC mean.
    Also, is this a good option for my setup for gaming, or should I shell out more money and get something else???
     
    cavman, Oct 11, 2007
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    AFAIK all notebook RAM is unbuffered and without ECC. They are options for desktop RAM.

    Either of those two options should be OK.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Oct 11, 2007
    #2
  3. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Buffered (Registered),ECC. Registered memory is more expensive because of the additional components, so it is usually found only in applications where the need for scalability and stability outweighs the need for a low price (servers, for example). It also takes a performance hit so for most users not desirable Desktops included. Cas latency of 5 is standard for 667Mhz DDR2 RAM. The second set you want to buy looks good, both choices are the same so go with the price advantage.

    I would want non-buffered no ECC for my notebook for speed.

    Link to Registered/Buffered
    Link to ECC
    Link to Cas Latency
     
    powerpack, Oct 11, 2007
    #3
  4. Tony_A

    Tony_A Notebook Evangelist

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    If you don't mind the rebates, Newegg is slightly cheaper if you buy 2 individual 2GB sticks, rather than in a set---- ~$80, sometimes a little less, per 2GB stick after rebates.

    That said, beware of "limit 1 per household" rebate limits if you choose this route.


    Lastly, I'm not aware of any 2GB CAS 4 sticks in your memory yet---only 1GB or smaller are this fast. (2GB sticks all seem to be CAS 5) you may want to wait a little.
     
    Tony_A, Oct 11, 2007
    #4