Rig Help - Upgrading from 6GB 1600mHz (3x2GB)

[SnuSnu4you]

Hello everyone, long time reader, first time poster.

My question is this: Should I add on 3 more chips of 2GB 1600mHz? OR Should I upgrade to 8 or 12GB of 2000mHz? (my mobo can handle 2000mHz max).

I am upgrading my RAM in hopes that Arma 3 (game) will run faster/smoother on my rig. I play in 1080x1920.

I appreciate all help given!

Regards,
Aaron


System Specs:

CPU: i7 920
MOBO: Asus p6t (non deluxe) (6 slots total, 3 open)
GPU: NEW GTX 770! (yay!)
HDD: (2) 1TB WD
RAM: 6GB 1600mHz (3x2GB)
PSU: 700 WATT

 

[skit75]

I've been thinking about more RAM also on my rig which is similar to yours. I can regularly approach 5GB usage and just want a little more overhead. I'm running a tri-channel config... (3) 2GB and these Corsair modules aren't really carried by the big vendors now. I may be able to hold out until my next video card upgrade though, which appears is what you just did.

 

[SnuSnu4you]

I've been thinking about more RAM also on my rig which is similar to yours. I can regularly approach 5GB usage and just want a little more overhead. I'm running a tri-channel config... (3) 2GB and these Corsair modules aren't really carried by the big vendors now. I may be able to hold out until my next video card upgrade though, which appears is what you just did.

Yeah I have held out for a while to get that 770 (upgraded from a gts250 LOL) . But now I feel like my bottle neck is memory..

Thanks for the reply

 

[Legohouse]

Hello,

Hello everyone, long time reader, first time poster.

My question is this: Should I add on 3 more chips of 2GB 1600mHz? OR Should I upgrade to 8 or 12GB of 2000mHz? (my mobo can handle 2000mHz max).

I am upgrading my RAM in hopes that Arma 3 (game) will run faster/smoother on my rig. I play in 1080x1920.

I appreciate all help given!

Regards,
Aaron


System Specs:

CPU: i7 920
MOBO: Asus p6t (non deluxe) (6 slots total, 3 open)
GPU: NEW GTX 770! (yay!)
HDD: (2) 1TB WD
RAM: 6GB 1600mHz (3x2GB)
PSU: 700 WATT

Yes, go with 1600MHz memory - 3 x 2GB. No, if you are going with higher memory speed (higher than 1600MHz) then the highest speed memory when mixed with the existing memory will be downclocked to the lowest speed present. Maybe you can overclock 1600MHz in your BIOS but I do recommend that. So probably matching the memory speed, voltage and latency of the existing memory is a better idea.

Yes, upgrading memory should enhance the overall system performance. You can find compatible memory in one of the memory sites - newegg.com, amazon.com, Kingston.com, crucial.com or Memorystock.

If you need any more info let me know. Cheers, mate!!

 

[SnuSnu4you]

Hello,

Hello everyone, long time reader, first time poster.

My question is this: Should I add on 3 more chips of 2GB 1600mHz? OR Should I upgrade to 8 or 12GB of 2000mHz? (my mobo can handle 2000mHz max).

I am upgrading my RAM in hopes that Arma 3 (game) will run faster/smoother on my rig. I play in 1080x1920.

I appreciate all help given!

Regards,
Aaron


System Specs:

CPU: i7 920
MOBO: Asus p6t (non deluxe) (6 slots total, 3 open)
GPU: NEW GTX 770! (yay!)
HDD: (2) 1TB WD
RAM: 6GB 1600mHz (3x2GB)
PSU: 700 WATT

Yes, go with 1600MHz memory - 3 x 2GB. No, if you are going with higher memory speed (higher than 1600MHz) then the highest speed memory when mixed with the existing memory will be downclocked to the lowest speed present. Maybe you can overclock 1600MHz in your BIOS but I do recommend that. So probably matching the memory speed, voltage and latency of the existing memory is a better idea.

Yes, upgrading memory should enhance the overall system performance. You can find compatible memory in one of the memory sites - newegg.com, amazon.com, Kingston.com, crucial.com or Memorystock.

If you need any more info let me know. Cheers, mate!!

Thanks so much for a detailed and knowledgeable answer!

But if I upgrade to 2000mHz, I will be passing down my 6GB of 1600mHz to a buddy of mine. So i guess my question is if the upgrade will be cost effective. Should I get the 12GB of 1600mHz, or upgrade (fairly cheap upgrade) to 8GB of 2000mHz? Am I wasting my cash upgrading? Thanks so much as I can tell you have a much better understanding of memory than I.

 

[Legohouse]

Thanks so much for a detailed and knowledgeable answer!

But if I upgrade to 2000mHz, I will be passing down my 6GB of 1600mHz to a buddy of mine. So i guess my question is if the upgrade will be cost effective. Should I get the 12GB of 1600mHz, or upgrade (fairly cheap upgrade) to 8GB of 2000mHz? Am I wasting my cash upgrading? Thanks so much as I can tell you have a much better understanding of memory than I.

Yes, it is always better to have the highest frequency memory but I do not recommend 2000MHz cause I do not think it will be stable but it should work. But personally I think its just waste of money.

In Intel Ivy Bridge processors any above 1600MHz is considered to be a "waste of money" as they do not have much say in performance. So I would stick with 1600MHz as it is what most call as the "sweet spot" in speeds for now. If you are passing the memory to your friend then you can try 1866MHz CL9 memory. And get three modules as your motherboard supports Triple memory architecture.

 

[SnuSnu4you]

Thanks so much for your help! I am sticking to 1600mHz and getting 12 GB. Looks like my buddy isnt getting my old chips x). Now I just need to find out what kind of RAM I already have.

THANKS AGAIN

 

[Tradesman1]

Just a thought, but depending on what you do, you could benefit from higher freq DRAM especially if already using up to 5GB of 6, that indicates you are probably using your paging file quite a bit (which slows things down, having the extra DRAM should cut that back --but--apparently you are really using the system for more than just email and small browsing, so may want to look into a higher freq

 

[SnuSnu4you]

Just a thought, but depending on what you do, you could benefit from higher freq DRAM especially if already using up to 5GB of 6, that indicates you are probably using your paging file quite a bit (which slows things down, having the extra DRAM should cut that back --but--apparently you are really using the system for more than just email and small browsing, so may want to look into a higher freq

Thanks for the response

I am looking around, if I find a good deal I will pull the trigger. I will download a RAM usage utility and see my results. Maybe that will give me a better idea. Thanks again

 

[Tradesman1]

Sounds like a plan - do you use Win Resource Monitor, (built in)

 

[skit75]

I'm currently using http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224 which are discontinued at Newegg now. I payed about $156.00 US in 2009 for this kit.

It seems there are much better options now.

Also my machine does not feel slow, at all. I routinely load quicker than 95%+ of other gamers in games such as League of Legends... which I understand is more CPU dependent. But I know when a new Video card gets in there, I will have more memory to map thus reducing my overall system capacity.