Compatibility and triple channel benefit

akirastylez

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Nov 14, 2010
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Noob here, trying to buy some extra ram for my setup. I apologize if this a silly question.

CPU: intel i7 950

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211&cm_re=950-_-19-115-211-_-Product

MOBO: ASUS P6X58D-E LGA

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641

Memory: Patriot Viper II Sector 7 Edition 6GB Model PV736G1600ELK

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...m_re=patriot_ddr3_1600-_-20-220-503-_-Product

I'm trying to decide if I should purchase two sets of these ram and use only 3 sticks of 2 GB, will I be able to keep my triple channel benefit and will there be compatibility issues between the two sets of different branded RAM? Thanks for the responses in advance!

PNY MD4096KD3-1600-X8 XLR8 4GB ( 2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3

http://www.jr.com/pny/pe/PNY_MD4GBK...are&SiteID=lw9MynSeamY-8v6n6/3WsN28xY9ghNRA5Q
 

hellwig

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Are you saying you want to run 12GB of memory total? I would say that's not really going to give you much of a benefit. If you are already running 6GB of Patriot Viper II memory, that should be more than sufficient for most people.

As for mixing brands, that shouldn't be much of a problem as long as they have the same voltage (and they do, 1.65V). Just make sure all the Patriot is paired together (I.e. is slots A, C, E) while the PNY is on the other slots (B, D, F).
You will still be able to use the triple-channel capabilities of your motherboard, however, you may not see the full-potential of your board. Often times, when a board is loaded with the maximum number of memory sticks, it has some reduced performance (not sure you'd really notice it though).

But ultimately, why do you want to do this? Two kits of that PNY memory is going to cost you $120 (if you are going to buy it from that site). Meanwhile, the Patriot memory you already have is also $120, so why not just buy a second set of that if you really need 12GB of memory (and I doubt you really do)? Are you planning to do something with that 4th stick of PNY?
 
If you have PV736G1600ELK then PLEASE get an identical set!!! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220503

You do NOT want to mix-match your RAM!!!

If this is a NEW Build then 6GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) TR3X6G1600C8D http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

Otherwise 12 GB in Tri Channel CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) CMP12GX3M3A1600C9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145321

The ASUS P6X58D-E is a Tri/Hexa Channel MOBO, and you 'should' add IDENTICAL RAM in sets of 3 or 6. Tri Channel is more efficient and slightly faster {Channel A -> Channel B -> Channel A -> Channel B etc}. However, by no means does it justify the waste/expense of trashing a otherwise good 3X2GB matched set.

 

akirastylez

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Nov 14, 2010
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Thanks for the replies Hellwig and Jaquith. Sorry I didn't clarify my situation. I was interested in more RAM because whenever I feel lag on my computer, I open up the windows task manager, and the Physical memory reads 80 - 90% usage. This is what I usually have running when I'm on my computer: Starcraft 2 , firefox with multiple tabs, Windows live messenger, and Windows media player (my GPU is GTX460 768). So I figured I'm short on ram and need to jump to 12 GB of ram (maybe I'm wrong?). I wanted to buy the 4 sticks of PNY so I could save one stick for a cheap HTPC build in the future.
 
Please post (2) critical items: 1. EXACT RAM Part-Numbers installed 'now' ; IF you have the {PV736G1600ELK} 3x2GB you 'should have enough RAM,' 2. You 'may' have another problem, H/W Reserve, please post the following Resource Monitor image:
RM_7PRO6GB.gif
 

akirastylez

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Nov 14, 2010
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This is the Patriot RAM model I have installed (Model PV736G1600ELK) all 6 GB.

resource.gif


here is the image of the resource monitor.


According to that I'm only using 30 to 40% of my memory. But I'm sure I've seen Physical memory shoot up to 80 or 90% in the task manager. I think I notice it when I switch between programs. like tabbing and out of starcraft, opening a new youtube websiter, or opening a movie. I figured my CPU can't be what's lagging me. Is it possible my HD or GPU?

This is my HD:

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

This is my GPU:

GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-768I GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125334


Again, thanks for all the responses! Really appreciate the help and thoroughness!

 
It looks normal considering StarCraft II Wings of Liberty {SC2.exe} running in the background. Eyeballing the usage ~ 35% (100% would be all the way to the top).

If "Physical memory shoot up to 80 or 90% in the task manager" then one or more of the Apps: 1. Memory Leak (D/L patch to App), 2. Corrupted App (reinstall).

The 'bitch' is finding what combination(s) are causing the problems. MSCONFIG -> select Diagnostic and 'run' -> "...Starcraft 2 , firefox with multiple tabs, Windows live messenger, and Windows media player..." all while the Resource Monitor is open. Next, if the problem disappears then -> one of the start-up Apps is causing the problem/leak.

This is a tedious PITA process! Next turn-on Sets:

1. Load Diagnostic
2. Load Diagnostic + Microsoft
3. Load Diagnostic + Microsoft + Known {Apple, etc - SERVICES}
4. Load Diagnostic + Microsoft + Known {Apple, etc - SERVICES} + Startup {KNOWN}
5. Then start adding the rest 2-3 at a time; it is a slow process