Lower profile RAM, same or better performance

[Antha]

I was intending to purchase a 2X4GB dual-channel kit of Corsair Vengeance Blues before I found they were of such height that they could be in conflict with the CPU fan in the future.
I'm really not sure which alternative to pick, I don't really understand how latency timings work/what makes for better timings.
These cost around £50 outside of promotion, but I'm happy to pay a little more (or less).

If further details are needed I'd be happy to provide. I haven't bought this PC yet, for the record. However the planned motherboard is an ASUS P8Z68-V PRO and the CPU will be an i5-2500k.

 

[itzdanielp]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226219

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104255

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148463

There are some choices from just about every reputable manufacturer.

Those are all around 25(?) pounds so well within your price range. I don't know any UK sites, but you should be able to find those models over there for similar prices.

 

[Antha]

Thanks for the links, but I'm still pretty much at stage 1, unless you're saying all of those manufacturers' RAM is basically on equal footing and it's just a brand-choice?

As an aside: as great as it would be that we simply had US->UK currency conversions for prices on many computer parts, components here are more expensive (in my native currency, no clue in terms of weighted baskets/buying power comparisons) and I'd get charged mucho tax if I tried importing.

 

[buzznut]

I own the Mushkin radioactive set itz posted above and I really like them alot. I would caution however on my mobo with the Spire Eclipse II I have to populate the two outermost ram slots, the heatsinks on the ram are about 1/8" too tall to get them under the cooler. Which is a bummer as I'd eventually like to order more of the same.

I would get the Corsair Vengeance with the low profile heatspreaders if possible in your area.

 

[geofelt]

The current Intel nehalem and sandy bridge cpu's have an excellent integrated ram controller. It is able to keep the cpu fed with data from any speed ram.
The difference in real application performance or FPS between the fastest and slowest ram is on the order of 1-3%.

Synthetic benchmark differences will be impressive, but are largely irrelevant in the real world.

Fancy heat spreaders are mostly marketing too. 1.5v ram does not need any extra cooling.

Only if you are seeking record level overclocks should you consider faster ram or better latencies.
Read this Anandtech article on memory scaling:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3/1
---------------bottom line------------
Do not pay much extra for faster ram, 1600 speed is probably the sweet spot.

 

[itzdanielp]

Thanks for the links, but I'm still pretty much at stage 1, unless you're saying all of those manufacturers' RAM is basically on equal footing and it's just a brand-choice?

As an aside: as great as it would be that we simply had US->UK currency conversions for prices on many computer parts, components here are more expensive (in my native currency, no clue in terms of weighted baskets/buying power comparisons) and I'd get charged mucho tax if I tried importing.

Quality is not going to vary too much across brands. They have all gotten pretty decent (of the ones I linked)

My personal fav is Kingston, but corsair, g-skill, mushkin and patriot are all solid.

 

[Antha]

Thanks for the informative replies, I'm probably going to grab a pair of vengeance whites as their profile is low and their stats seem to be the same... and aesthetically they'd fit in well.

 

[itzdanielp]

Good choice good luck!