DDR2-8500 and thoughts
DDR2-1,066MHz+ (PC8500)
DDR2 doesn't usually scale much past 1,066MHz and focus for
higher speeds has now moved on to DDR3
The extra bandwidth that DDR2-1,066 provides is of particular benefit
when running the host CPU at higher-than-default speeds. DDR2 of this
speed will generally require above-JEDEC (1.8V) voltages.
2GB kits (2x 1GB)
Kingston
DDR2-1,066 - 5-5-5-15 latencies - 2.2V - integrated
heatspreaders
- £29.69
@ eBuyer.co.uk. (£33.60)
4GB kits (2x 2GB)
OCZ
PC-2 Platinum PC2-8000 - 5-5-5-18 latencies - 2.1V -
platinum heatspreaders - £55.95
@ eBuyer.co.uk (£75.20)
Whilst the OCZ 4GB pack isn't quite DDR2-1,066MHz it does provide astonishing value, being around £20 cheaper than an equivalent set just two months ago.
Summary
It's a proven fact that 4GB of memory provides a better computing experience than 2GB, and the modest outlay is such that we'd recommend all users plump for 4GB and not pay more than £60 for any DDR2 - going above DDR2-1,066MHz rarely pays dividends.
DDR2 prices keep on dropping to levels where not upgrading is literally counter-productive. The drops are in stark contrast to the poor dollar-to-pound rate, meaning that, in fact, pricing has plummeted.
Our pick of the DDR2 bunch is the 4GB Corsair XMS2 kit, currently costing under £40.If new-fangled DDR3 is more your cup of tea head on over to a similar article that delineates the current value proposition.
