One of the best advices relating to computers is to never be an early adopter. Other than the ridicules price tags, the performance gain from the first models of the newest generation of computer components over the previous generation is usually minimal, if any. A current example of this is DDR computer memory with the change from DDR to DDR2. While DDR2 memory has a handful of technical advancements over DDR memory, its early model's (PC2-3200 and PC2-4200) speed and performance are easily matched by the latest DDR modules. It is only at its third speed level of PC2-5400 that DDR2's speed is reasonably out of reach from DDR.

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In this review I will be examining the high performance line PC2-5400 dual channel DDR memory modules from three of the biggest names in computer memory: the Ballistix from Crucial, the HyperX from Kingston, and the Gold Series from OCZ.

Packaging:

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Even though it is same type of product, each company has a vastly different way of packaging their computer memory. The Crucial Ballistix comes packaged in a small rectangle cardboard box.

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Inside, each DDR memory module is sealed in an anti-static bag. Included with the memory is a multilingual (6) installation guide.

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Each Kingston HyperX DDR2 module comes packaged in a familiar single compartment, black plastic memory case with a clear top cover. Along with the memory, each case also includes a sheet of installation instructions.

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The OCZ Gold Series DDR2 memory modules come packaged in OCZ¡¯s notorious snap shut blister pack with an orange graphic card insert. The back of the package features some information about OCZ along with lists of awards and quotes from numerous reputable review sites.