The faster sort
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
- £25.01
@ eBuyer.co.uk. (£29.69, £33.60)
4GB kits (2x 2GB)
Crucial
PC2-8500 - CL7 latencies - 1.8V - no heatspreaders - £41.39
@ Crucial (£55.95, £75.20)
Again, huge drops in pricing for DDR2-1,066MHz. The Crucial 4GB pack doesn't ship with any fancy heatspreaders or cooling, but at just 1.8V and £41.39 delivered, it is hard to resist.
What's more, a
price of a similar pack, albeit with fancy heatspreaders, back in
September, was £75.20.
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 £45 for any DDR2 set - 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 farther. Imagine if we were back at the halcyon days of $2 to £1, rather than a measly $1.35.
Our pick of the DDR2 bunch is the 4GB OCZ XTC PC6400 kit, currently costing £34.If new-fangled DDR3 is more your cup of tea head on over to a similar article that delineates the current value proposition.
