Upgrading RAM from 1333 to 1600 MHz - will I get the benefit?

[cralz_]

Hi all,

I want to expand my system's RAM from 4Gb to 8Gb. My current RAM is 4Gb DDR3 1333 MHz, and while looking for another identical chip I noticed it's not much more expensive to get 2x 4Gb 1600 MHz. So my question is, will my system actually be able to utilize the 1600 MHz, and if not, is there anything I can do to allow it? I've provided screengrabs of my system from CPU-Z.

I built my computer about 5 years ago on a budget, and I've done a couple things so far to try to squeeze some extra life out of it. It's an AMD Athlon II X3 450 unlocked to Phenom II X4 B50, and I used the BIOS feature "OC Genie" to overclock from 3.2 to ~3.6GHz (motherboard is MSI 870-G45). I don't know a lot about overclocking, so after some research it seemed like that was the safest and easiest way to try it. So far everything is stable.

CPU-Z info:
CPU
Caches
Mainboard
Memory
SPD

Thank you for any help.

 

[aquielisunari]

will my system actually be able to utilize the 1600 MHz,

Yes it will. Why? https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130290 Look to Memory Standard DDR3 800/1066/1333/1600 (OC). You may have to manually set the speed in your BIOS.

On a side note RAM kits are best. Mixing old and new RAM can turn out good or bad. Sometimes modules will get along and sometimes they won't.

 

[Finstar]

I think your biggest performance gain would come from running dual channel memory. And as said above: pairing old and new sticks can end up badly. So my recommendation is that you get the new pair of 4gb sticks.

 

[cralz_]

Thanks for the quick replies! I will have to research how to manually set the RAM speed in the BIOS. I was actually looking to buy the exact same RAM chip I have now, but I got it on sale back then, which is what led me to looking up the price difference to upgrade to 1600.

 

[Finstar]

Looking back at this, i think it just comes down to price. If the new 1600MHz sticks cost more than 140% of the 1333MHz sticks price then i'd say get another 1333MHz stick.

 

[cralz_]

I've been looking through the manual for my motherboard, do I adjust my RAM speed by adjusting the FSB/DRAM ratio? The other options I have to adjust my memory are timing mode, drive strength, an advanced control and 1T/2T memory timing.

 

[aquielisunari]

I've been looking through the manual for my motherboard, do I adjust my RAM speed by adjusting the FSB/DRAM ratio? The other options I have to adjust my memory are timing mode, drive strength, an advanced control and 1T/2T memory timing.

Yes, I think so. DO you see the 1333MHz speed there? I would try a simpler approach before the manual one. Click on OC in your BIOS. Loo for "Extreme Memory Profile"(aka XMP) and make sure it is enabled. F10 to save and exit.Shut down your PC and unplug it. Touch something metal to discharge any static charge you may have. Press power button on your PC(without plugging it into the outlet). Install new RAM modules. Power up PC, enter BIOS and confirm speed is at 1600MHz. If not you will need to manually set it.