[SOLVED] Upgrading desktop RAM from DDR2 to DDR3

[garvind25]

Hi,

I have a desktop with Core 2 Quad (Q6600) processor and Gigabyte G41 Combo motherboard. Presently I am using two 2GB (800MHz) DDR2 RAM sticks. My m/b supports both DDR2 and DDR3 RAM (any one at a time)

I want to upgrade my RAM from DDR2 to DDR3. In this context I wanted to know the following:

** Will upgrading the RAM affect my processor in any way? Since my processor is old and used to get heated, presently I have under-clocked it.

** Will upgrading from DDR2 to DDR3 improve the PC performance without affecting the processor and m/b? My m/b is about three years old.

I look forward to your responses.

Thanks,
Arvind Gupta.

 

[boju]

8gb ram would be more substantial upgrade vs speed from 800MHz to 1333(maximum speed). Since ddr3 doesn't come in 800mhz flavours, afaik, 2x 4gb 1333 would be worth doing just for the increased ram.

Though, getting a better cpu cooler so you don't have to underclock would be ideal too.

 

[Koekieezz]

Hi,

I have a desktop with Core 2 Quad (Q6600) processor and Gigabyte G41 Combo motherboard. Presently I am using two 2GB (800MHz) DDR2 RAM sticks. My m/b supports both DDR2 and DDR3 RAM (any one at a time)

I want to upgrade my RAM from DDR2 to DDR3. In this context I wanted to know the following:

** Will upgrading the RAM affect my processor in any way? Since my processor is old and used to get heated, presently I have under-clocked it.

** Will upgrading from DDR2 to DDR3 improve the PC performance without affecting the processor and m/b? My m/b is about three years old.

I look forward to your responses.

Thanks,
Arvind Gupta.

if you want a good performance increase on ddr3 platorm, at the very least get a sandy bridge processor, they will server you well.

 

[boju]

if you want a good performance increase on ddr3 platorm, at the very least get a sandy bridge processor, they will server you well.

Mobo is a bit too old for that

 

[Koekieezz]

Mobo is a bit too old for that

yup, by what i mean is replacing he whole system to a lga 1155 system
also iirc, intel system on that plaform could only take 2gb max per slot? or 4gb?

 

[boju]

Depends on motherboard. There are ddr2 4gb sticks available and assuming motherboard supports 2x 4gb because specs say 8gb total. That's not ddr2 and 3 together, as we know they are seperated slots.

 

[Koekieezz]

Depends on motherboard. There are ddr2 4gb sticks available and assuming motherboard supports 2x 4gb because specs say 8gb total. That's not ddr2 and 3 together, as we know they are seperated slots.

yeah, i was abit forgot for c2q and g41 combo memory density limitation, thx for the info

 

[garvind25]

Pls provide clarity on the fact that if I upgrade from DDR2 to DDR3, will it affect the processor? I do not want to increase the processor clock speed/ get a new heat sink for the the processor.

Thanks for your replies.
Arvind Gupta

 

[Koekieezz]

Pls provide clarity on the fact that if I upgrade from DDR2 to DDR3, will it affect the processor? I do not want to increase the processor clock speed/ get a new heat sink for the the processor.

Thanks for your replies.
Arvind Gupta

Will upgrading the RAM affect my processor in any way? Since my processor is old and used to get heated, presently I have under-clocked it.

No.

Will upgrading from DDR2 to DDR3 improve the PC performance without affecting the processor and m/b? My m/b is about three years old.

by a little.

is it worth it? depends on your budget and your use.

Sandy brige and ivy bridge platform are still worth considering today for upgrades if you went ddr3.

 

[boju]

Pls provide clarity on the fact that if I upgrade from DDR2 to DDR3, will it affect the processor? I do not want to increase the processor clock speed/ get a new heat sink for the the processor.

Thanks for your replies.
Arvind Gupta

Not really. DDR3 1333 will run cpu memory controller faster but won't introduce much heat. That's if running faster ram is even stable with your underclock. Capacity is main improvement here and 2x 4gb of DDR3 1333, 1066, or even DDR2 800 will do that.

 

[garvind25]

Not really. DDR3 1333 will run cpu memory controller faster but won't introduce much heat. That's if running faster ram is even stable with your underclock. Capacity is main improvement here and 2x 4gb of DDR3 1333, 1066, or even DDR2 800 will do that.

Thanks for your reply. My under-clocking stats are as follows:

CPU Clock ratio: 6x
CPU Frequency : 1.66 GHz (266X6)
MCH Frequency Latch : Auto

I need to decide if I should buy DDR2 or DDR3 RAM. Accordingly, pls advice if I should go for DDR3 1333 MHz (OC) based 4 GB RAM or 2 X 4 GB DDR2 (800MHz) RAM. BTW Gigabyte G41 -M Combo only supports 4 GB DDR3 or 8 GB DDR2 RAM at a time.

Thanks.
Arvind Gupta.

 

[Koekieezz]

well aim for the one that suits your need, personally just go ddr3 so when you upgrade to a better ddr3 platform you could reuse the ram.

 

[boju]

Thanks for your reply. My under-clocking stats are as follows:

CPU Clock ratio: 6x
CPU Frequency : 1.66 GHz (266X6)
MCH Frequency Latch : Auto

I need to decide if I should buy DDR2 or DDR3 RAM. Accordingly, pls advice if I should go for DDR3 1333 MHz (OC) based 4 GB RAM or 2 X 4 GB DDR2 (800MHz) RAM. BTW Gigabyte G41 -M Combo only supports 4 GB DDR3 or 8 GB DDR2 RAM at a time.

Thanks.
Arvind Gupta.

Whatever is available to you and price. 2x 4gb either for DDR2 or 3, motherboard supports up to 8gb for either.

An sata ssd will also improve things.

 

[garvind25]

Whatever is available to you and price. 2x 4gb either for DDR2 or 3, motherboard supports up to 8gb for either.

An sata ssd will also improve things.

Thanks for your reply. Pls read page 8 of motherboard user guide to find that it supports only 4 GB of DDR3 RAM (not 8 GB).

Regards,
Arvind Gupta

 

[Koekieezz]

Thanks for your reply. Pls read page 8 of motherboard user guide to find that it supports only 4 GB of DDR3 RAM (not 8 GB).

Regards,
Arvind Gupta

per DIMM. so 2x4gb is still compatible.