RAM questions

[kevinhwang]

is there a huge difference in what brand of RAM i get? when looking on sites like ramseeker.com i see a difference of at least 100 dollars for just a stick of 1GB RAM. Is there a certain advantage to getting crucial instead of a stick from any other site?

thanks

 

[jeremy.king]

is there a huge difference in what brand of RAM i get?

YES

 

[calebjohnston]

crucial can guarantee that the RAM you get will work with your computer, and offers to replace it if it doesn't (but it will). There can also be a difference in quality of build. It's best to stick with something like "crucial" or "datamem" for RAM.

 

[jsw]

The last 4.5GB of RAM I've bought was from OWC. I love them, they guarantee the RAM, and their prices are good.

 

[TLRedhawke]

There is a difference between manufacturers of memory, yes, but not with the branding of it. I've said it before, to much criticism: Crucial memory is often overpriced, considering what it is. The point is, Crucial (as with any other really respectable memory dealer) uses Samsung or Micron original memory. These types of memory carry lifetime warranties, and in my experience, almost never fail.

My point is, there is no real need to just follow the flock, and go to Crucial for overpriced memory, when the exact same thing (quite literally) can be obtained from a number of merchants. I usually suggest going to your nearest small computer merchant, and asking him to price out some Samsung or Micron original of the appropriate type. They can usually get you a good price, and you won't have to pay for shipping.

 

[grapes911]

I usually suggest going to your nearest small computer merchant, and asking him to price out some Samsung or Micron original of the appropriate type. They can usually get you a good price, and you won't have to pay for shipping.

That is very risky. Not all Samsung or Micron chips carry the correct specs to work in a Mac.

Check out datamem.com (as someone else said). They are very cheap, have a lifetime warranty, and guarantee mac compatibility.

 

[CanadaRAM]

The only catch is -- appropriate type.

Some Macs are very strict in their requirement for the standards be adhered to, including the Serial Presence Detect settings.

Some RAM models, even though nominally the right type (For example, the Crucial CT12864X335 is PC2700 DDR 333 MHz SODIMM 2.5V CL2.5 200 pin non-ECC - nominally correct but will fail every time in a 15" or 17" 1.0 GHz Powerbook G4) are not 100% to standard, and sensitive Macs will choke on them. Neither you nor a PC-shop are going to know which ones are and are not.

Your best bet is to purchase from a seller who knows Macs, and can guarantee compatibility with your specific model, offers a lifetime warranty, and a no-cost return if it doesn't work (no restocking or shipping fees)

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[superbovine]

There is a difference between manufacturers of memory, yes, but not with the branding of it. I've said it before, to much criticism: Crucial memory is often overpriced, considering what it is. The point is, Crucial (as with any other really respectable memory dealer) uses Samsung or Micron original memory. These types of memory carry lifetime warranties, and in my experience, almost never fail.

My point is, there is no real need to just follow the flock, and go to Crucial for overpriced memory, when the exact same thing (quite literally) can be obtained from a number of merchants. I usually suggest going to your nearest small computer merchant, and asking him to price out some Samsung or Micron original of the appropriate type. They can usually get you a good price, and you won't have to pay for shipping.

Or you could just by Crucial RAM on newegg.com for a better price. What you get from crucial is quality and their support which is far better than most.

 

[California]

Samsung is what Apple usually ships with OEM.
Can't go wrong there.

 

[Laser47]

Or you could just by Crucial RAM on newegg.com for a better price. What you get from crucial is quality and their support which is far better than most.

Thats what I did when I bought ram for my ibook. On crucial a 1gb stick was 192$, that same stick of ram was on newegg for 112$

 

[Heb1228]

You should search before you ask general questions like that... its pretty likely the topic's already been covered and guys like CanadaRAM have answered it 5000 times already.

Just some advice for next time...

 

[Heb1228]

Or you could just by Crucial RAM on newegg.com for a better price. What you get from crucial is quality and their support which is far better than most.

The Crucial RAM on newegg is not guaranteed to work. I went though 2 sticks that both caused kernel panics on my PB before ordering from datamem. Not a single kernel panic since then.

But newegg was great about taking the memory back, it just cost me the shipping basically, that and two weeks of trouble. But I'd recommend newegg for anything else you buy.