relative memory performance

[Kirth Gersen]

Hi,

This is my first visit to the memory forum: it's just so arcane . I've looked at the FAQs, and my eyes have glazed I'm afraid. I'm not an overclocker, I just want to create the best bang per buck gaming rig for my next build.

So the question is: what are the performance benefits of faster RAM (in general terms)? I don't want to screw around with timings, just plug the memory in and go.

For example, looking at the OC shop, you can get 2Gb of Crucial 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-4200C4 for £54:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-082-CR&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=697

At the other end, you can get 2Gb of OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-9200 1150MHz Reaper for £159:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-089-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=817

So, do you get 3 times the performance for 3 times the price? Will games run 3 times faster? I doubt it, but I have absolutely no idea what is the relative performance increase. Would I get bigger performance benefits by buying 4Gb of the cheap RAM?

Help

 

[Kirth Gersen]

Thanks Cob