DDR is on its last legs with both AMD and Intel now supporting the newer DDR2 modules for their latest platforms. The chaps over at MadShrimps have tested two 2Gb DDR high end memory kits from A-DATA and Team Group strive to help you get the most out of your Athlon 64 setup. Here's a taster:

A-Data Vitesta DDR500 Extreme Edition 2x 1Gb kit
This good looking memory kit surprised me with a good performance and overclocking overhead, while still remaining affordable for the enthusiast and/or gamer with a limited budget. In fact, looking at the price these UCCC based modules are priced similar to 2x512Mb TCCD memory kit. You can never have enough system RAM and 2Gb will speed up loading times and give you multi tasking freedom.

If A-DATA would use Brainpower PCB instead of the reference JEDEC I wonder how this will impact performance? The use of UCCC chips means slightly more relax timings compared to other popular chips.

Team Group Xtreem DDR500 Cronus 2x 1Gb 2,5-4-4-8 LE
This exclusive kit from Team which comes with shiny-gold heat spreaders sure knows how to draw attention. The performance is incredible, with a width range of possibilities to choose from when it comes down to balancing between pure speed and tight timings. If you're searching for the best DDR kit available right now, stop looking.

In order to get the most out of these sticks you need a high end system to go with them and as these modules don't come cheap it will up the overall price of your computer. They need higher voltage to perform well and at 2.9v the CE5 chips do get hot, I recommend active cooling if you want to overclock them.