4X 2GB 1333 RAM vs 2X 4GB 1600?

[Eran Mayshar]

I'm a gamer and I like to play high end games. I presently have 2 X 2GB of 1333 RAM. If I were to just buy another 2 X 2GB at 1333 (like my current RAM is) so that I had 4 X 2GB sticks at 1333 would that be better than having 2 X 4GB sticks at 1600?

 

[issy2401]

ram speeds don't make much of a difference it would make a little if you have an APU tho....if your on a budget go with the 2 X 2GB @ 1333 but if your not go with the 2 X 4GB sticks as it gives you room for upgradability if you have 4 RAM slots

if you go with the 2 X 4GB stick you can use that along with the 2 X 2 GB stick you currently have allowing you to have 12GB of RAM which is pretty great

 

[Eran Mayshar]

Which RAM should I get then, at 1333? What brand? I'm no so familiar with RAM these days.

 

[Tradesman1]

I'd go the 2x4GB at 1600 if your CPU can run them, there's no guarantee a 2x4GB set at 1333 will play with your current sticks (you can always try when you get new sticks, would help to know mobo and CPU

 

[Eran Mayshar]

My motherboard is a M5A97 R2.0. My CPU is a Phenom II X2 565. I plan to get a AMD FX-8350 4GHz Socket AM3+ 8MB as I believe it's compatible with my current motherboard. Right?

 

[Tradesman1]

Yep, and with an 8350 could get 1866/9 in a 8GB set should be more than sufficient

 

[Eran Mayshar]

Yep, and with an 8350 could get 1866/9 in a 8GB set should be more than sufficient

From what I've read, I would hardly get much peformance increase in games between 1333 and 1866. For the $40 difference in price, is it really worth it? I read having more sticks of ram is sometimes better. Money is a problem so I'm looking for the best value for money here. I would have gotten 16GB of 2133 RAM once but the prices have gone too high these days so I'm going to have to settle for something much cheaper.

 

[Tradesman1]

Strictly in gaming, the 1866 is worth maybe 3-5 FPS, higher freq DRAM shines more in multi-tasking and memory intensive apps/tasks...and Yes, big thing is you need to stick within your budget...