Price Guides November 2004: Video and Memory
by Adam Rader on October 30, 2004 8:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Guides
DDR2 Memory
With half of the barrier to PCIe/DDR2 systems nearly out of the way (i.e. the cost of having to buy a new video card and RAM), it's easier to focus on DDR2 as the last stepping stone to the bragging rights associated with having something so new that it still costs more than a weekend at a 5-star resort.Currently, the best value in DDR2 memory resides in PC4200. PC5400 is still a bit more expensive than would be preferred and also carries a lack of motherboard support. Corsair comes to mind for this category with their PC-4200 512MB Value line. Keep in mind, however, that DDR2 still has more latency than standard DDR, which has so far translated into slower overall performance, even at higher clock speeds. This is somewhat similar to the way that Intel's Prescott core was lacking performance on a clock-for-clock comparison to Northwood. Much like the Prescott, it will only get better as the clock goes up and that has so far meant better performance for the P4 and will do the same for DDR2. As is also expected, the cost of DDR2 is going down steadily as shown in the chart below.
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BornStar18 - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
The 512MB PC3200 Corsair RAM that's listed for $69.90 after shipping shows as 256MB on Axion Technologies' website. Am I the only one that's confused by that?Desto - Sunday, October 31, 2004 - link
I dont think the availability is the reason for the lack of 6800´s in the list (actually they have added two more 6800 since it first was published :)...I can think of three possible reasons. First one is that ATI is is favoured for some reason...second is that there are so many 5700 and 5900 in stock that the vendors want them listed since they figure ppl with bigger budgets will buy the faster 6800 anyway. Third reason is lazyness/ignorance Either way I´m pretty suprised to see this kind of "manipulation". Maybe its a strong word but its so obvious to me...I live in sweden and there are plenty of 6600 6800 and 6800GT in different brands and even 6800le (only 8 pipelines but very affordable) Im pretty sure USA has got a lot lot lot more in stock than tiny sweden...Im actually interested in a 6800 with a passive heatsink which newegg sells for 282 which is cheaper than the 2 presented in this list....but than again....this list seems to be sponsored by the vendors...which is normal perhaps...but I think something as obvious as this might lower peoples respect for the site...one might wonder if certain tests favor one vendor more than the other. I have read tomsshardware and anandtech for seven years and I have always had very high respect for their work...this is the first time I react and the reason for making an account so I can write this comment (hello world :)
Poser - Sunday, October 31, 2004 - link
#4 I would think they left them out because they're not widely available. Go to www.newegg.com and search for 6800GT or 6800 Ultra and look at how many are actually in stock. Pretty dismal.mongoosesRawesome - Sunday, October 31, 2004 - link
The graphs are nice, but there are no 6800GT's listed at all, no 6800 Ultra's listed, and only one vanilla 6800 listed. Meanwhile, you actually recommend the FX5900 at $215. Where are the 6800's? Seems like you left out a pretty big component of this "price guide."Gnoad - Sunday, October 31, 2004 - link
If god wanted us to use ddr2, he wouldn't have invented TCCD chips.CrystalBay - Sunday, October 31, 2004 - link
Dell buys it...GhandiInstinct - Sunday, October 31, 2004 - link
Has anyone honestly bought DDR2? I think .3% of the worlds population own this memory.