Ram for i7-960-3.2ghz

[NIK1]

DDR3 1333 MHz memory compared to DDR3 1600 MHz memory.My dell alienware arrora desktop has 12 gigs of the 1333,would it be ok to put 24 gig of the 1600 stuff.I read on a dell site the motherboard can take 24 gig of 1333,12 gig 1600.If I put 24 gig of the 1600 would it clock down to 1333 speed.

 

[zdbc13]

1. Make sure you have the latest BIOS
2. Dell usually tells the truth in their support literature. I doubt if it supports 24gb of 1600.
3. 12gb is overkill for gaming, and probably enough for rendering. What are you doing that requires more?
4. In real world situations there is very little difference between 1066 and 1600. Only in benchmarks will it make a difference.

 

[NIK1]

Thanks for the reply.Dell said 24 gig 1066 ram,and 12 gig of the 1600 ram.So if I filled all 6 dimms 4gbx6 of the 1600 ddr3 would it clock down to 24 gig at 1066 since it only supports 12 ddr3 1600 or24 of 1066.Just curious since the computer store I deal with close to me has the 1600 mhz ram in stock and no 1066 ddr3 ram.I would have to order the 1066 if the 1600 will not work...

 

[Xttony]

You computer must support 1600MHz. Please specify your motherboard or desktop model. Did you change the motherboard while customization?
It is better to get 1066MHz than to get 1600MHz and then underclocking it.

 

[Kiowa789]

Just go with 12 gigabytes of 1600, your computer won't run the RAM if its anything above 12 gigabytes 1600, it won't even boot.
If I were you, just get 12 gigabytes of 1600, the performance increase is noticeable.
(Oh and buying an Alienware was a mistake, outdated hardware in a big ugly flashy case)

 

[NIK1]

I just tried 3 1600 sticks from my neighbors pc and left the origional 3 sticks of 1333 in with all 6 slots full.It booted ok.Now I tried all 1600 in 6 slots and it will not boot at all.even the cpu light on the case was not flashing,but the pc fans were all going.Looks like your right.12 gigs 1600 work,24 gig all slots 1600 will not boot.But 12 gig 1600 and 12 gig 1333 will boot and windows 7 shows 24 gig total.

 

[NIK1]

Alienware Aurora desktop,bought new in 2010Here are the stats......Summary
Manufacturer Alienware
Model 04VWF2
Version A02
Serial Number ..CN697020AJ1296.
Bridge
North Bridge Intel X58 Revision 13
South Bridge Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) Revision 00
CPU
Name Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 930 @ 2.80GHz
Cpu Socket Socket 1366 LGA
It has 12GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MhzIlooked up the ram spped and types this motherboard can handle and found a dell article stating
•Supported Memory:
•Up to 24GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333Mhz - 6 DIMMS
•Up to 12GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600Mhz - 6 DIMMS
•Up to 6GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1866Mhz - 3 DIMMS
•6x 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Slots

 

[Kiowa789]

DO NOT, Mix and match different RAM sticks.
It can cause a lot of problems.

 

[Xttony]

So better get 6x4gB DDR3 memory itself. Don't try to buy ram of higher frequency and then underclocking it. It is known to cause some issues.
Also do you really need 24gB? Rendering can be done with 12gB of ram comfortably. Also if you need to speed up things overclock the processor and instal a CPU cooler.