Memory Upgrade Moment - Need Advice

[xionas]

Greetings,

I bought a high-end PC about 3 years ago but I feel that at the moment its 2GB RAM and the fact that it runs Windows 7 32bit holds me back.

I would like to upgrade to 8GB so I wont have any issues in the future as well as try out Windows 7 64bit. It's the first time I attempt to upgrade my system so please bear with me.

Problem is that I currently use (2x1GB) OCZ dual channel that are discontinued, which in fact is really dissapointing since Im really pleased with OCZ's platinum non-low voltage series ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-227-244&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=1#scrollFullInfo )

In addition, I use a decent Core 2 Duo CPU ( http://ark.intel.com/products/33911/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E8500-%286M-Cache-3_16-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB%29 ) and a Nvidia Geforce GTX 285 GPU.

Lastly, my motherboard is ASUS P5Q3 ( not the Deluxe version, however I dont think they differ a lot ) with an Intel® P45 chipset. ( http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5Q3/#specifications ). I would like to mention that reading through the QVL list found at the website most models are discontinued here in local stores ( I live in Athens ) and that the Corsair 8GB (4x2GB) dual-channel kits that are highly-reccomended by Corsair for my motherboard seem to be problematic on some boards after I looked them up on the web. ( http://www.corsair.com/cmx8gx3m4b1333c9.html/ or http://www.corsair.com/dominator-with-dhx-pro-connector-8gb-dual-channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cmp8gx3m4a1333c9.html/ ).

Looking forward to your suggestions,

Xionas

 

[nikorr]

Hi there,

Are u a student?

 

[xionas]

I found ( http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=223 ) but its only 4GB. Its CAS latency is 7 like my old OCZ memory (which is a good thing)

If im not mistaken CAS latency is calculated by looking at the first number in the sequence (e.g 7-7-7-21 is CAS latency 7, 5-7-6-18 is CAS latency 5 etc ) ?


Will that do the work ?

Hi there,

Are u a student?

Yes

 

[xionas]

Okay so I ordered http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&Tpk=F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH


Will I see any difference using this kit if I upgrade now to Windows 7 x64bit with 4GB RAM compared to my current Windows 7 x32bit with approximately 3GB RAM shown?

 

[nikorr]

Hi, are u going to mix the 1.5v RAM with 1.8v RAM? Not a good idea.

 

[xionas]

The old OCZ 2GB kit will be taken out.

What about ~3GB x32bit vs 4GB x64bit (for web applications/gaming use) ?

 

[nikorr]

That would not make much sense.

Get 8GB RAM and x64bit if u don't wont choke the system.

RAM is not to make your PC faster, it is there to make your frozen moments go away, run smooth when u do a few things at the same time.

And if u will get SSD, than u are in great shape, without spending a lot of money.

 

[nikorr]

Get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

 

[xionas]

Cheers,

My MoBo states though that "DDR3 1600MHz or above DIMMs work only on the Orange slots for one DIMM per channel"

Dunno what that actually means. Will I have any issue with the 1600Mhz kit you suggested?

 

[nikorr]

It will work fine, in the Orange slots. Only in those 2 slots.

No other RAM in the other slots at the same time.

 

[xionas]

I found this at Corsair forums:

"Ram Guy:
The Intel X38, P35, P45 and X48 chipsets only support memory made with 128 By 8 memory IC's so our Vengeance modules are not compatible with any of these older chipsets and they will only support 2.0 Gig modules made with 128 By 8 memory IC's according to the Intel White papers for the chipsets."

and

"With that MB you cannot run the memory faster than the CPU FSB and when you fill all four slots you may have to run the memory at DDr800 to keep the system stable but I would set the memory frequency to DDR1066 and set the timings manually to Cas 8-8-8-24 at 1.7 Volts and disable legacy USB and see if it will pass www.memtest.org."

My cpu: FSB Speed (according to Intel)
1333 MHz
FSB Parity
No

Are you sure the 1600Mhz kit you linked would work properly with my system?

 

[nikorr]

4 x DIMM, Max. 16 GB, DDR3 1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel memory architecture
*DDR3 1600MHz or above DIMMs work only on the Orange slots for one DIMM per channel.

Yes, it will run fine. That is why only orange slots will do. And max support is 4GB per slot.

 

[nikorr]

Post the link of that thread.

 

[xionas]

http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=99729


Towards the end, Ram guy suggests http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMX16GX3M4A1333C9-1333MHz-Memory-Module/dp/B0054KPK9C 16GB(4x4GB) for his use with ASUS P5Q3


However, these seem a little slow compared to the ones you linked regarding CAS latency/frequency

 

[nikorr]

There is no reason for the RAM to not work.

I think I advised at least 100+ people on RAM and not one complained that it didn't worked. Some had problem, but clearing CMOS took care of that.
Not one with incompatible RAM.

But u can get this one @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315

Great for the older systems.
I have that RAM at home on some older PC for years. Works great.

 

[Chainzsaw]

There is no reason for the RAM to not work.

I think I advised at least 100+ people on RAM and not one complained that it didn't worked. Some had problem, but clearing CMOS took care of that.
Not one with incompatible RAM.

But u can get this one @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315

Great for the older systems.
I have that RAM at home on some older PC for years. Works great.
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/20-145-315-TS?$S300W$

^--+1 nikorr always has excellent advice. Plus these Ram chips have a nice low-profile heatsink. I usually hate ram with massive heatsinks on them.

 

[nikorr]

^--+1 nikorr always has excellent advice. Plus these Ram chips have a nice low-profile heatsink. I usually hate ram with massive heatsinks on them.

I am not big fan of them too,

they obstruct the airflow in the case and they are just for show : )

 

[xionas]

I think I will buy two http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-139-046&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=4#scrollFullInfo since they are QVL by ASUS for my motherboard.


Are these worse than the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315 you recommended?

 

[nikorr]

It will be just fine.

There is 100 of different ones out there and 20 people can give u 20 different opinions.

Make sure u take a kit of 8GB, not 2 x 4GB single sticks, as 1 stick is not optimized.

Its better that way.

 

[xionas]

These Kingston kits are the only 4GB dimms my ASUS MoBo has verified.

Whats the difference performance-wise between a dual channel 8GB kit and 2 x 4GB single sticks of the same model sold separately which can work together in dual-channel mode according to VQL and user feedback?

Furthermore, whats your opinion on MoBo's VQL generally? Is it random (does ASUS devote its time to test ALL available dimms) or made for marketing purposes and do you often ignore VQL when you make a new build?

Looking forward to your answer.

 

[toolmaker_03]

personally I would go with ECC memory, it's not just for servers, the memory is faster than standard memory of the same speed and it adds a level of stability to you system. Samsung makes good ECC memory, OCZ used to, and maybe in the future they will again. but for now take what you can get, the fact of the matter is that if there not making it, in ECC configuration yet, it is because that speed is not stable tech, yet, and you are asking for issues. but some people prefer speed over stability and that is a choose you'll have to make for yourself.

 

[nikorr]

[fixed]These Kingston kits are the only 4GB dimms my ASUS MoBo has verified.

Whats the difference performance-wise between a dual channel 8GB kit and 2 x 4GB single sticks of the same model sold separately which can work together in dual-channel mode according to VQL and user feedback?[/fixed]
No difference in performance.
[fixed]Furthermore, whats your opinion on MoBo's VQL generally? Is it random (does ASUS devote its time to test ALL available dimms) or made for marketing purposes and do you often ignore VQL when you make a new build?[/fixed]
RAM makers have to pay for testing, that is why only few RAM kits made to the list.

Even the RAM on the list may not work. U never know, but most will work fine.

 

[nikorr]

If u want to be sure if the RAM works with particular mobo, get on the website of the RAM maker and find it there in the RAM configurator.

http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore/

 

[xionas]

After a lot of research,

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=97C05BDFA5CA7304 or two http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/Default.aspx?PartId=KVR1333D3N9/4G

Which is better for gaming and more stable?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nikorr]

The Kingston one.