Member Avatar for belama

Hey I was looking at some RAM at some reliable local store web sites, there is something kind of weird. I found out that their 2x1024MB of PC4200 had a whopping 100$ of difference.


DDR-2 Corsair 2GB (2*1024) 533fsb TWINX VALUE (life) CAN$244.75


Corsair 2x1024MB PC2-4200 ValueSelect DDR2 $ 341.00

These sound like the same to me, don't they? I'm wondering if dealsdirect has a low price or if pccyber overchages. Do you know? I know both their single 1 gig stick is 137$. Kind of confusing this is.

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Dani AI

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A large visible price gap for what looks like the same 2‑GB memory kit is a common frustration. raised the right question; replies from and pointed to currency and cross‑border buying as possibilities. Below are the practical reasons this happens and a short checklist to confirm whether two listings are actually equivalent.

Common causes of big retail spreads:

  • Currency, taxes and shipping — a domestic price shown in one currency can look much lower once converted and duties are added.
  • Different SKUs: retail kit (matched pair) vs two loose sticks, OEM or tray parts, and registered/ECC vs unbuffered consumer modules. Those differences often carry large price premiums.
  • Performance binning and timings: identical capacity doesn’t mean identical CAS latency, voltage, or rated speed. Lower-latency modules or factory-tested matched kits cost more.
  • Warranty, packaging and retailer margin: lifetime warranty or official distributor coverage raises price; clearance or overstock discounts lower it.
  • Listing mistakes or mismatched pages: sometimes a product page shows the wrong price or the part number listed is for a different item.

Quick verification checklist (order matters):

  1. Compare manufacturer part numbers — the exact part number is the single best way to tell if two listings match.
  2. Confirm “kit” vs single-stick and whether the listing is for registered/ECC or unbuffered non‑ECC.
  3. Compare CAS, voltage and rated speed. If any differ, treat them as different products.
  4. Check currency shown, add expected tax/import charges, and confirm the retailer’s return policy.
  5. When in doubt, call the store and ask them to read the part number off the package.

Compatibility cautions: don’t buy registered/ECC for a consumer board that expects unbuffered modules; always prefer a matched kit for dual‑channel systems. If a price is dramatically lower, verify the part number and warranty before purchasing.

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Member Avatar for Phaelax

Well for your second link at pccyber, I saw the ram you listed for: $254
This is what I found for $341, registered memory(which I dont think you want):

And, I'm not sure, but if "CAN$244.75" means canadian, then it would be $211 in US currency.

Edit: Ah yes, it says on the website that it is all in Canadian currency.

Member Avatar for nizzy1115

newegg has them for $148, but do they ship canada? For some reason i think they don't. But maybe you could have someone in the states send them up to you.

Member Avatar for belama

I've posted this 6 months back guys. Thanks for trying to help tho :)

Member Avatar for nizzy1115

lol, well what kind of deal did you end up getting ;)

Member Avatar for belama

lol, well what kind of deal did you end up getting ;)

I just ended up taking 2x 512 mb of DDR-2 533mhz at pc cyber for 157$ canadian. It is now 117$ so I could upgrade to 2 gigs for cheap if i wanted.

BTW, the prices i posted on the first post, werent right for pccber. It was really something like 400$.

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