Memory compatibility question

[slash1011]

Hi guys/girls, just a tad confused about how to go about upgrading my RAM for my new computer setup.

I'm currently in the process of building a new gaming rig and still using some old parts which will soon be switched out (waiting on getting paid! xD)

Details of what I currently have:
Motherboard: Gigagbyte GA-Z87-UD3H
CPU - Intel i7 4770K
SSD - Samsung 840 pro series 128GB
PSU - Corsair HX 1050 Pro series

Going to get an EVGA GTX780.

Now the question (finally 😛) is around the motherboard and new ram I should get. I want to get 16GB, I currently have 8GB 1333MHz G.Skill ram.

I was going to completely replace the RAM, so not just buying another 8GB. I was looking at either:
16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 1866Mhz: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MEMCOR28608&name=Corsair-DOMINATOR--PLATINUM-16GB-(2x8GB-DDR3-1866M
16GB G.Skill Trident 2400Mhz: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MEMGSK0519&name=G.SKILL-TridentX-16GB-(2x8GB)DDR3-2400MHz-(PC3-192

Now price isn't too much of an issue, however I don't want to pay for something that is useless for me. I've read a bit into the RAM and it seems like I wont need more then 1866Mhz for gaming, since the upgraded frquencies is mainly for benchmarking. I do mainly play MMO's as well as COD/Battlefield/Crysis and any other new release game (yes I do actually work, hah).

If you have recommendations on what would perform the best in my system that would be much appreciated. HOWEVER my main concern is how to overclock my motherboard to allow it to recognize over 1600mhz frequency ram sticks.

I've been trying to find some info on that, but my digging around hasn't found much in the way of helpful step-by-step processes to do this. If it's a huge pain to do then I will just go buy 16GB of 1600Mhz ram lol.

Sorry for the narrative, and thanks for any help you can give! 😀

 

[KrazyKap]

4x4GB will generally run faster than 2x8 if that's what you wanted to know. So the easiest solutution is two more sticks of 4GB each, which should be fine.
Other than benchmarking, higher clocked RAM is useful for integrated graphics, but you will probably not notice a difference in gaming with a GTX 780

that will save you over $200, and you could use that to bump up the rest of your system if any of that hasn't been purchased yet.

Also, if you are living in NZ, check out pricespy.co.nz to find the best prices and the forums could potentially help you further as deals are different here as opposed to US or worldwide.

 

[Tradesman1]

To start, NO, 4 sticks will not run faster than 2, the preferred is 2x8GB for 16GB, 4 sticks places additional unneeded stress on the MC (memory controller) Of the two sets, the Tridents are win-win, lower price and much much better performance in addition to the additional bandwidth picked up by the 2400 sticks...To even them out if you were to downclock the 2400 sticks to equate at 1866 you would prob run the Tridents at a much tighter CL8 or even 7 compared to the Corsair's CL9

 

[slash1011]

Thanks for both the replies, i'll definitely look into pricespy. I've been going of pcpartpicker.com for the price info. Also, I wouldn't want to get another 2 4GB sticks since they'll have to be 1333MHz and i'd rather upgrade the RAM.

Also in regards to what you said Tradesman1, what do you mean "run the Tridents at a much tighter CL8 or even 7 compared to the Corsair's CL9"? (I'm new to building pc's so trying to learn about how everything works. I was one of those people that put in a new mobo without thinking about the fact I would need to re-install windows to make it work.) At least I plugged it in right. 😛

Also any information on how to go about changing BIOS settings to make new RAM work with my motherboard (see OP for mobo) would be super appreciated since as far as I know I need to change the settings for anything higher then 1600MHz to be picked up automatically.

 

[Tradesman1]

DRAM performance is based not only the freq but also on the CL - or more correctly a combo of the two...Think of CL as the number of seconds it takes to complete and action - so 7 is better than 8,9,10 etc (less time to do it), then when you think of freq think of it as how much DRAM can be used in each action - so just say your DRAM can move 1,000 MB per action, at CL9 in 63 seconds it will move 7,000 MB, while a CL7 set in the same 63 seconds will move 9,000 MB - this is very simplified....and the higher the freq the more it can move in each clock cycle of the CL

 

[slash1011]

DRAM performance is based not only the freq but also on the CL - or more correctly a combo of the two...Think of CL as the number of seconds it takes to complete and action - so 7 is better than 8,9,10 etc (less time to do it), then when you think of freq think of it as how much DRAM can be used in each action - so just say your DRAM can move 1,000 MB per action, at CL9 in 63 seconds it will move 7,000 MB, while a CL7 set in the same 63 seconds will move 9,000 MB - this is very simplified....and the higher the freq the more it can move in each clock cycle of the CL

Cool, thanks for explaining that. 😛

So in regards to that it sounds like the 2400MHz ram would be the better option. How would I go about changing the motherboard settings in the BIOS to recognize the higher frequency instead of limiting the 2400MHz sticks to run at 1333 or 1600MHz?

 

[Tradesman1]

Simply enter the BIOS, enable XMP, and select profile 1