add or replace RAM sticks

[syrup]

When I built my PC ~3 years ago, I bought a 2x4 GB RAM setup (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428). Recently I've been getting warnings of 'RAM low' limits when running multiple applications (when I had no trouble doing the same in the past).

I'm looking to get new RAM sticks, but I'm wondering:

1) Are my current sticks "dying"? I've heard RAM sticks will start failing, but I'm not sure if this current situation indicates my RAM sticks dying.
2) I'm looking to get the same RAM sticks - should I just replace the old sticks (staying at 8GB) or can I go 4x4 (16GB) since they're the same sticks? If the latter, do I need any additional setups when going 4x4 (other than setting the BIOS to the RAM stick settings), or do I just need to stick all the RAM sticks in and it'll auto-detect and setup accordingly?

Relevant system build details:
CPU - i5 3570K
MOBO - Asrock Z77 Extreme4 (I think I'm locked to 1600 speed with this)
GPU - Asus GTX 770
STORAGE - 120GB Kingston SSD (for OS only), 1TB Seagate HDD, 500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Adding may or may not work even if identical , go with a whole new set all in the same retail pack.

 

[captaincharisma]

if you're looking to go to 16GB i would go for a kit with 2 8GB sticks. this way the ram will still be able to run in dual channel mode

 

[syrup]

if you're looking to go to 16GB i would go for a kit with 2 8GB sticks. this way the ram will still be able to run in dual channel mode

Do you have any recommendations? I'm a bit out of touch with what's popular+good these days.
Also not sure if I can go higher that 1600 sticks.

 

[thx1138v2]

What SR-71 said.

Also, it doesn't matter if you use 4X4Gb or 2X8Gb other than price as long as you put the 2X8Gb in the correct slots which would be the ones you are using now for the 2X4Gb.

The mobo will auto-detect them. The only reason you would need to go into the BIOS is to select an XMP profile to overclock them, if available.

 

[geofelt]

1) Run memtest86+ to test your ram.
You should complete at least one full pass with NO errors.

2) Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when 4 sticks are involved.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.

I suggest simply buying a new compatible 2 x 8gb kit. G.skil will have an app where you enter your motherboard and you will get a list of compatible kits.
There is no value in a 4 x4gb kit. It will be more expensive, and will operate in dual channel mode for common motherboards.

Keep your old kit as a spare.

You just replace the ram and the bios will detect it running at default speed.
If your motherboard supports faster ram via XMP you can use that to run faster.

But, generally, there is little value in real app performance or fps with faster ram.
Here is a study:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

2X8 is the better option , puts less stress on the MC , look into Gskill Snipers.

 

[syrup]

2X8 is the better option , puts less stress on the MC , look into Gskill Snipers.

Like these?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231609&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[captaincharisma]

if you're looking to go to 16GB i would go for a kit with 2 8GB sticks. this way the ram will still be able to run in dual channel mode

Do you have any recommendations? I'm a bit out of touch with what's popular+good these days.
Also not sure if I can go higher that 1600 sticks.

CORSAIR Vengeance LP is good. i was using this kit in my own 3570K system till the mobo died on me back in the summer

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Yes that's a very good set.

 

[syrup]

Yes that's a very good set.

What makes the sniper series "better"? I was originally thinking:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489

since it's on sale, and the one I'm already using is also from the Ripjaws series.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Ripjaws are great too , I saw your board and I ran Snipers on mine the same one , ripjaws is also a very good choice.

 

[syrup]

if you're looking to go to 16GB i would go for a kit with 2 8GB sticks. this way the ram will still be able to run in dual channel mode

Do you have any recommendations? I'm a bit out of touch with what's popular+good these days.
Also not sure if I can go higher that 1600 sticks.

CORSAIR Vengeance LP is good. i was using this kit in my own 3570K system till the mobo died on me back in the summer

I think I was considering these back then, but I was worried the heat spreaders would not fit with Hyper 212 Evo CPU cooler.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

You can slightly raise the fan on the 212 to clear the modules , if they aren't real tall heatsinks.

 

[captaincharisma]

if you're looking to go to 16GB i would go for a kit with 2 8GB sticks. this way the ram will still be able to run in dual channel mode

Do you have any recommendations? I'm a bit out of touch with what's popular+good these days.
Also not sure if I can go higher that 1600 sticks.

CORSAIR Vengeance LP is good. i was using this kit in my own 3570K system till the mobo died on me back in the summer

I think I was considering these back then, but I was worried the heat spreaders would not fit with Hyper 212 Evo CPU cooler.

yea hard to say there. i ended up just using the stock cooler so i'm not sure. you may be fine with them if the cooler is not too close to the ram slots.