RAM Upgrade as it Pertains to CPU Overclock

[jjblanche]

I have an older system with a Q6600 maxed out at 3.6 GHz. I want to keep that clock speed. RAM wise I'm only running 4 GB. I've been floating the idea of simply buying 2x2GB RAM of exactly the same make and model that's in there and calling it a day. However a friend of mine said this could make my OC unstable and I don't want that.

My two other options are getting 2x4GB sticks but they're quite expensive and rated at 800 vs the current 1000 or just keep the 2x2GB I have in there and not change a thing. What would you guys do if given the choice?

 

[Deuce65]

If you are able to get the exact same memory then it should be fine. Your friend is probably getting mixed up with how Haswell memory control handles overclocks. Should not be an issue.

 

[deadlyghost]

First stop your overclocking profile...and set it to stock settings... Then upgrade your RAM to Corsair Vengeance Dual Channel 8GB(2x4GB)... Dual Channel will give you more performance...

Replace the RAM... and then run your PC....
Then overclock your PC... But remember to see all the settings correctly if they are right or not...! If a single thing is wrong then you would get your system unstable...

The RAM I recommended you has clock frequency of 1600Mhz... So make sure to overclock at right settings.... If you are overclocking in BIOS at AUTO... then it is better reliable... But first non-overclock your PC then only replace your RAM...

Your friend is partially right..

 

[deadlyghost]

First stop your overclocking profile...and set it to stock settings... Then upgrade your RAM to Corsair Vengeance Dual Channel 8GB(2x4GB)... Dual Channel will give you more performance...

Replace the RAM... and then run your PC....
Then overclock your PC... But remember to see all the settings correctly if they are right or not...! If a single thing is wrong then you would get your system unstable...

The RAM I recommended you has clock frequency of 1600Mhz... So make sure to overclock at right settings.... If you are overclocking in BIOS at AUTO... then it is better reliable... But first non-overclock your PC then only replace your RAM...

Your friend is partially right..

 

[Deuce65]

First stop your overclocking profile...and set it to stock settings... Then upgrade your RAM to Corsair Vengeance Dual Channel 8GB(2x4GB)... Dual Channel will give you more performance...

Replace the RAM... and then run your PC....
Then overclock your PC... But remember to see all the settings correctly if they are right or not...! If a single thing is wrong then you would get your system unstable...

The RAM I recommended you has clock frequency of 1600Mhz... So make sure to overclock at right settings.... If you are overclocking in BIOS at AUTO... then it is better reliable... But first non-overclock your PC then only replace your RAM...

Your friend is partially right..

This is not correct.

 

[Jake Wenta]

I have an older system with a Q6600 maxed out at 3.6 GHz. I want to keep that clock speed. RAM wise I'm only running 4 GB. I've been floating the idea of simply buying 2x2GB RAM of exactly the same make and model that's in there and calling it a day. However a friend of mine said this could make my OC unstable and I don't want that.

My two other options are getting 2x4GB sticks but they're quite expensive and rated at 800 vs the current 1000 or just keep the 2x2GB I have in there and not change a thing. What would you guys do if given the choice?

As long as the RAM is the same, you should have any problem adding it your build. It's best to go with the same Size, Timing and Frequency & Voltage-so same Model. Dual channel sometimes has it's benefits, but smaller sticks are better. And Quad Channel isn't an issue. But you may have to reduce your overclock a little, as the memory controller will be working more with more RAM-so it may or may not make your system unstable at the current OC.

 

[deadlyghost]

This is not correct.

As per my overclocking experience it is correct... Since two different frequency RAM are changed while overclock profiles are active it causes stability...

I also changed RAM when overclock profile was active and I made my computer unstable.... If this was not correct I would have not posted the answer... If you have anything to correct me then please correct.. Do not say me wrong if there is no reason...

 

[Jake Wenta]

This is not correct.

As per my overclocking experience it is correct... Since two different frequency RAM are changed while overclock profiles are active it causes stability...

I also changed RAM when overclock profile was active and I made my computer unstable.... If this was not correct I would have not posted the answer... If you have anything to correct me then please correct.. Do not say me wrong if there is no reason...

You will not have different sticks running at different frequencies as the BCLK and RAM multiplier set the frequency. You have to get the same rated RAM to work with the current Frequency, voltage and timings. Otherwise you will have an unstable system.

 

[deadlyghost]

This is not correct.

As per my overclocking experience it is correct... Since two different frequency RAM are changed while overclock profiles are active it causes stability...

I also changed RAM when overclock profile was active and I made my computer unstable.... If this was not correct I would have not posted the answer... If you have anything to correct me then please correct.. Do not say me wrong if there is no reason...

You will not have different sticks running at different frequencies as the BCLK and RAM multiplier set the frequency. You have to get the same rated RAM to work with the current Frequency, voltage and timings. Otherwise you will have an unstable system.

Yes that's what I meant... If you want to have a different frequency RAM then you need to change your overclock profile before changing RAM... If not then PC will get unstable...

 

[Jake Wenta]

Yes that's what I meant... If you want to have a different frequency RAM then you need to change your overclock profile before changing RAM... If not then PC will get unstable...

If he wanted different frequencies, then he'd have to get new RAM and not add on. And then mess with just the RAM multiplier, voltage if needed and timings. Not mess with the CPU frequency.