Memory is quite simply one of the most critical system components featured in todays computers, the particular memory that I am referring to is also known as RAM (Random Access Memory). It is RAM that has allowed computers in the past and present to operate at such snappy speeds. The RAM is one big buffer used to store any data that's being used, temporarily storing it for ultra fast access. This data is of course being used by the computers CPU (Central Processing Unit) and allows this piece of hardware to go about its business with minimal delay.

Given that virtually everything thats anything on a computer travels through the RAM at some point in time, it is a very heavily used component. For example the Internet browser you are using to read this very review is most likely using some of the system memory (RAM). In fact Internet browsers use quite a large amount of system memory, particularly if multiple windows are open. If your computer was to have cheap generic or faulty memory, the Internet browser may occasionally crash forcing it to shut down.

The widely used Microsoft Internet Explorer browser series for example, is usually blamed for being poorly developed software as it is often the victim of random crashes. However, while I do not often use IE6, this particular browser operates flawlessly on my personal computer. On the other hand I have used other office computers that struggle to load half a dozen web sites without suffering from a fatal IE crash. So what makes some computers so unstable and vulnerable to these minor system crashes? Well I personally place the majority of the blame on poor system memory or RAM.

Often when building a new computer users will skimp on the all important memory component. Rather than buy a trusted brand name they will go with the cheaper unknown. Usually this cheap generic memory is not guaranteed to operate at specific timings and compatibility is also usually quite poor. These cheap memory modules are more often than not designed just for single channel use and will create problems when used in dual-channel environments. Therefore my advice to anyone building a new computer is to make sure the memory purchased is of a well known and respected brand name.

There is one name that stands out in my mind and that name is Corsair, simply because I use their memory in all my systems. Over the past 4 years Corsair has proven to me time and time again that their memory is top notch stuff. Although there are quite a number of other well respected memory manufacturers out there today, I still remember Corsair as being one of the pioneers of high-performance memory modules. However, even Corsair has a wide range of memory to choose from and the price variation can be quite large.

Quite regularly I receive e-mails from readers asking this question Which Corsair memory should I buy XMS or Value Select? Of course like most questions of this nature there is no simple yes or no answer that will apply to everyone. Though by asking yourself a few questions there is often a way to simplify this question. First of all I believe most users just need to understand why Corsair offers the more expensive XMS memory and what it does.