High-Density DDR3: Five Dual-Module 8GB Kits Compared

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liquidsnake718

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At an average of $200 dollars a stick I can safely say I am not an "Enthusiast" even though I love computers, hardware, consoles, games, and talking about computers.

However my next build has almost been conceptualized (waiting for certain parts and prices), so DDR3 here I come.
 

falchard

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Its about twice as much as getting 8GB off 2GB Modules. So the price increase isn't too bad considering 4GB ram sticks are the largest you can currently buy. I am still waiting for that to dip in price and for the more massive ram sticks to come along. We have been max 4GB for quite some time now.
 

arkadi

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4 now i can live with 12gb limit on my x58 mb. But it is good to know that ppl that really need more then that can do it for affordable price
 
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Only problem I have with the review is where is the same tests on a AMD platform for all us AMD users that will be or are already looking at AMD AM3/DDR3 builds.
 

Crashman

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[citation][nom]micky_lund[/nom]ouch 400+ for 8gb ram?[/citation]

Yeh, ouch, but can you imagine paying $800 for it last summer? Newegg still has one of those super-expensive kits.
 

verrul

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dont expect more than 4gb anytime soon there really is no need in a system to run more than 4 to begin with you really dont see any speed improvements past 4 and no program is built to handle that size of memory block currently. Sure there are the occasional special systems that use more than 4gb but not for a single program. Besides that there is the TDP and FCC inforced efficiency ratings they have to come in under ram is an energy hog for an overclocker
 

Crashman

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[citation][nom]terrybear[/nom]Only problem I have with the review is where is the same tests on a AMD platform for all us AMD users that will be or are already looking at AMD AM3/DDR3 builds.[/citation]

Tom's Hardware has recently been getting very similar overclocking and timing results between AMD and Intel systems when using the same modules and DIMM voltage. That's why the high-end system for the last two System Builder Marathons used the same RAM both times.
 

Crashman

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[citation][nom]anamaniac[/nom]What about 16GBm 1066MHz DDR3 DIMM's? Only $1,700 a piece. =DGranted, however, it is server ECC memory, and was never designed to be in a desktop. (Would love a 2P rig running dual 4GHz sexacore Gulftowns with HT, with 9 DIMM's per socket, running (18 DIMMs x 16GB/DIMM) 288GB of RAM.)http://www.amazon.com/HP-Memory-24 [...] B002I8SHK2[/citation]
Nobody will use more than 12GB of memory, 16GB should be enough for anyone.
 

sir_malaki

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I've been using 8GB of G.skill Ripjaws 1600 (4x2GB) for about a month on a AM3 based system and love it. Very easy to overclock, although not all the time - just playing to see how fast I can push the Phenom IIx4 965 Black Box. Stock is 3.4GHz, made it to 4.4GHz before showing signs of memory/cpu issues (getting warm, need to get better cooling).

The only complaint I have is how tall the heat sinks are, in a mATX case space is a premium. The memory is cool looking though. I bought it from Newegg for $219.99 USD
 

pocketdrummer

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What ever happened to the Socket 1366 component reviews? All I see here anymore is the 1156 components. I realize that it's more "mainstream", but those of us who made the plunge into the "enthusiast" platform want to know more! How about the "Five Triple-Module 12GB Kits Compared"? ugh...
 
I'll tell you what's limited demand for higher RAM Density..... The darn persistent 32-bit OS. I still say Vista should have been 64-bit only. Wish the university would have provided the 64-bit Vista when I was still going there, but hey they gave 32-bit to me free so I can't complain :D
 

volks1470

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Well this is good, but why are RAM prices still high in general?? I remember back in April I bought two A-Data 2GB 1333MHz DDR3 sticks for $50. Now i'm seeing prices around $85-$100 for basic RAM. Ridiculous!!
 

cangelini

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[citation][nom]pocketdrummer[/nom]What ever happened to the Socket 1366 component reviews? All I see here anymore is the 1156 components. I realize that it's more "mainstream", but those of us who made the plunge into the "enthusiast" platform want to know more! How about the "Five Triple-Module 12GB Kits Compared"? ugh...[/citation]

We'll have more of these within the next month!
 

rpmrush

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I still haven't seen any need to run more than 2GB of ram even when gaming and benching in Vista. For those with 12GB, your just filling up your X58 board cuz you can. There is zero need for anything beyond 4GB in the current 32bit environment. Even with a 64bit OS (I have Vista 64bit and Win 7 64 bit) the majority of all programs are 32bit. For those who actually utilize 64bit programs, well 8-12GB might be useful. Anyone with 64 bit Win7..load up 64bit Internet Explorer and open 10 different tabs and watch your ram get filled up..lol
 

El_Capitan

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Just under a year ago, I bought 4 kits of Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 - Retail kits for $64.99 each, no tax, free shipping. That's a total of 16GB's for $259.96. My i7 920 system using 8GB's has it overclocked at 1600 with 7-7-7-19 timings. I have two Phenom II x3 720 BE systems using 4GB's each.

The cost for these kits are now $111.19 plus $5.99 shipping at Newegg.

I guess I just knew when to buy. Lucky me. :)

 

jeffk464

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Only $400-$500, thats normally what I pay for my whole system. It hurt my feeling to pay $75 for 2x2GB when 3 months before I payed $50 for the same thing. I also heard that the performance pay off from going from 4gigs to 6gigs or ram is very small for most people.
 

jeffk464

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You know the funny thing is I don't really care about performance anymore. So long as my computer can handle every form of multimedia out there and boots and loads software reasonably quick, then I'm happy. I like the trend of win7 being designed not to hog resources, not having to upgrade hardware just to run the newest OS is a big win for customers. Almost everyone I know now uses a computer for surfing the net, a little productivity, and playing the occasional video and or music. Considering all you need is a 2.0ghz dual core cpu and 2gigs of ram to run HD video means my computer needs have hit a plateau. I don't know I might feel the need for a new laptop when 3D displays and blue ray are standard.
 

BigStack

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Is there any reason they couldn't produce 3GB modules? Does the math not work or something? I'm looking at an 1156 build, so I'd be doing either two or four DIMMS. 4GB should be sufficient, but I wouldn't mind 6GB. 8 seems overkill.

I think 3GB modules would sell at least as welll, if not better, than 8GB.
 
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