Look at that. Less than £70 for 4GB of RAM. And as much as we love the technical geekery that makes DDR3 better than DDR2, this configuration outperformed the higher bandwidth rig in several key tests.

We've been using the Mega Kart for some time now, and it's proved a sterling office workhorse, bang-on for piping around game installations, batches of screenshots, and Alan's terrifying internet discoveries.

The only reason to go for 2GB is that either you're strapped for cash or you're upgrading an existing machine. In which case this kit of twin modules is for you. With quoted timings of 5-5-5-15, it was a relief to find these functioning just fine in the same system at the full 8,500MB/s bandwidth.

OCZ's Reaper-X is designed to draw heat directly from the memory chips, rather than just around them. Instead of active fans, though, this relies on a ferocious looking radiator.

This memory is rated for faster speeds than the Corsair Dominator, but lower voltages and memory. We suspect that, underneath the steel Mohicans, the chips are identical, since not many vendors produce these high performance chips.

The Dominator RAM prides itself on being hand-picked and tested from the number one bins, while the DHX heatspreader uses two differently conductive materials to take heat directly from the chips and PCB before expelling it into a set of fans.

It's a sign of just how far prices for DDR2 have fallen that Corsair's once prohibitively priced Dominator RAM is available for less than £100. Given the overclocking potential of Core 2 and Phenom chips, though, there's a convincing argument for stretching to buy the famous DHX heatspreader.

With 16GB of storage on this card you'll be able to store, on average, 320 hours of music or 100 hours of MPEG-4 footage at 384Kbps resolution. This amount of storage needs a fast controller, so this Class 6 card is guaranteed a constant data transfer rate of 6Mbps, but can obtain a maximum speed of 20Mbps.

We checked out the wasp-like, turbo-charged version of the ATV flash memory stick a few months back and now we’ve got its big brother, the black and blue, 16GB version.

This 34mm ExpressCard slots into an available slot on your laptop and adds 4GB of storage space.

You'll either love or hate the design of the ATVs, depending on how much you like the feel of rubber. Rubberized casings are all the rage, in a range of products where differentiation is now the key.

The more traditional type of memory stick, the PD18 is neat andcompact, with one small innovation that is rather pleasing: it comeswith a rubber bung on the keyring

The latest in a neat line of shrinking storage devices, this little chap from ADATA fits an impressive 2GB of space into its diminutive shell. Hook it up to a lanyard or stick it on your keyring and you'll barely know it's there.

Compact flash cards don't normally come into our arena of examination, given that they're generally only for use with high-end digital cameras, but as we had the chance to play with this one, we though we'd include it.

Flash storage really is one of those technologies that has crept up on everyone. It's now everywhere and is seemingly unstoppable. These latest 4GB and 8GB capacity thumb drives are appearing at ludicrously low prices

Kingston was one of the first manufacturers to push DDR3 sticks out of its doors, indicating that it's serious about making a name for itself with the new standard.

As it's important to compare new technology with what is already available to you out there, the final pair of memory sticks we have included for this group test isn't of the DDR3 variety, but instead is an example of what DDR2 currently has to offer

Corsair is clearly a member of the school of thought that says larger heat spreader equals faster memory. And, despite the fact they only have standard timings, these sticks of RAM boast bigger coolers than any other manufacturer

As Flash storage continues to get smaller and more affordable, the A-DATA PD17 is one of the most compact and usable devices we've seen. Available in a choice of gold, red or blue, it clips neatly on to a keyring or lanyard and offers up to 4GB of storage

Not quite the fastest drive on test, but above average in the transfer speeds stakes, Transcend's 4GB Jetflash drive offers respectable performance for the reasonable asking price of £30.

PNY has been in the game a while, so it's no surprise to learn that the Attache Pro features rippingly fast transfer speeds. At £38, it's not unreasonably priced for a 4GB drive, but the performance is hardly reflected in the device's 'striking' looks.

At £19, the Freecom USB DataCard is far from a serious investment. The design is simple and impressive - it's considerably thinner than OCZ's Mega Kart, meaning you really wouldn't feel the girth bulging out your wallet.

The gimpy rubber sheath around the Corsair Flash Voyager GT's exterior may not be everybody's cup of tea, but there's no denying the power of this little stick. 8GB of the fastest Flash around nets you colossal transfer speeds.

The Survivor is pricey for an 8GB drive. But then, it's packed with fast chips, and housed in aircraft-grade aluminium, for the major selling point of the Flash Survivor GT is its sheer toughness.

While it takes a long time to write files to the Pearl, reading from it is impressively swift. But that's not the unique thing about the Pearl. It's tiny - and comes with a stylishly simple necklace chain, so you can wear it as a piece of jewellery.