Question 12gb (4GB x2) (2GB x2) or 8gb (2gb x 4)?

[hm2zh89]

DDR3 1333mhz 12gb (4GB x2) (2GB x2) or 8gb (2gb x 4)?

I currently have 8GB of ram. 2GB of ram across the ram slots. But someone is selling a 12GB of ram on ebay for a good deal. Would I see a increase in performance especially with 4GBs and 2GBs spread across over my currect 8GB? Its DDR3 after all and my budget won't allow for me + PC won't allow me do more than 1333mhz.

My goal is to make my build last for another year then I'll move on, I have no problems with games providing I dont have too many apps in the background. But ideally I'd like to start streaming as well and I know that is difficult with my current set up.

 

[kanewolf]

Unknown, but not very likely unless you are actually running out of RAM.
What CPU and motherboard are we talking about?

 

[hm2zh89]

Unknown, but not very likely unless you are actually running out of RAM.
What CPU and motherboard are we talking about?

Its a HP Elite 8200 CMT prebuilt. with a i5 2400. I'm wondering if I'll benefit from this little upgrade in anyway especially with the combination of listed on ebay for the 12gb over the 2gbs x4 of ram 8gb I have now.

 

[kanewolf]

Its a HP Elite 8200 CMT prebuilt. with a i5 2400. I'm wondering if I'll benefit from this little upgrade in anyway especially with the combination of listed on ebay for the 12gb over the 2gbs x4 of ram 8gb I have now.

I doubt you will notice any change. You could actually hurt performance since the DIMMs are unbalanced.

 

[hm2zh89]

I doubt you will notice any change. You could actually hurt performance since the DIMMs are unbalanced.

So its not really worth it? Prior to posting my question here I've read a few posts of people saying that you need to spread the ram in a certain way. I was under the impression that 12gb will at least be better than 8gb any case.

 

[hm2zh89]

I doubt you will notice any change. You could actually hurt performance since the DIMMs are unbalanced.

What about 3x 4GBs? Would that be better than how I previously would've installed it? 16GB prices are extortionate even in the used market.

 

[kanewolf]

What about 3x 4GBs? Would that be better than how I previously would've installed it? 16GB prices are extortionate even in the used market.

No. An i4 2400 is a dual channel memory controller CPU. Two DIMMs is optimal. Four identical would be next, followed by three.

 

[hm2zh89]

No. An i4 2400 is a dual channel memory controller CPU. Two DIMMs is optimal. Four identical would be next, followed by three.

Ah so 3 is ranks the lowest in performance even if the total (12GB in this case) exceeds my 8GB in 4?

Noob question but I am very much new this level of technicality.

 

[kanewolf]

Ah so 3 is ranks the lowest in performance even if the total (12GB in this case) exceeds my 8GB in 4?

Noob question but I am very much new this level of technicality.

Are you actually running into memory limitations? You keep making the assumption that memory is an issue, but I don't know what you are basing this on.

 

[hm2zh89]

Are you actually running into memory limitations? You keep making the assumption that memory is an issue, but I don't know what you are basing this on.

Well, I about use about 6gb of my memory just browsing the internet sometimes. And it happens frequently. Running games I want to play at 1080p 60fp on high-medium isn't too difficult at modest framerates. I can do ultra on some if I bump down to 900p. I don't think I'll be able to stream and the step would be the ram considering 16GB is the minimum these days. I assumed that 12GB in any case would be better than 8GB regardless of configuration.

So its either 12GB or 8GB because the prices for 16GB 1333mhz DDR3 isn't worth it, at that point I would rather just use that to save for my next build.