How much difference does fast memory make?

[Monkey Puzzle]

Currently speccing a cheap machine - everything bar monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse for £400-500. Is it worth getting good RAM or is the money better spent elsewhere?

 

[HangTime]

On a system that cheap money is DEFINITELY better spent elsewhere. Just get a cheap-ass dual channel kit, although obviously make sure you get enough of it (2gig ideally).

Gfx card (if gaming) and CPU make vastly more difference to performance than memory speed/timings in the majority of situations

 

[St0rmer66]

The price to performance ratio on high speed RAM is incredibly low. But if you already have the best CPU and Graphics card, what else is there to upgrade to get better performance? Some people just feel they HAVE to have the best, no matter the cost and this is why they make high speed RAM. For a £400-500 budget on a whole PC, a cheap 2GB "Value" kit will be more than ample. I wouldn't spend over £75 on 2GB and preferably less.

 

[MumboJumbo]

For me i thought the max price id pay would be around 100 quid... well... how could i resist, its got a dragon picture on it

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-067-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=817

 

[Monkey Puzzle]

So would it be worth just getting some cheap value 2x1GB GeIL 6400C5 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-064-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=

the 2x1GB Ballistix 5300 for £64 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-088-CR&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=

or paying £70 for the OCUK 2x1GB 8500 sticks http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-013-OK&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat= ?

- bit concerned about all the stories of constant RMAs with the ballistix.....

 

[Cob]

Which CPU and are you going to be overclocking it?