Upgrading to 16GB DDR3 (From 8GB). Should I switch brand? Kingston 1600Mhz vs. G.Skill 2133Mhz

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

Tulik

Reputable
Apr 8, 2015
43
0
4,530
I currently run 2x4GB Kingston HyperX 1600Mhz cas 9 DDR3 pc3 128000.
I've been meaning to add 2 more identical sticks, in order to have 16GB, but then I was thinking of maybe just getting 2x4GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X 2133Mhz, and later on get 2 more, in order to make it 16GB (maybe run them in the meantime with the current Kingston kit, but I'm not sure that's a good idea, or even possible - you'll tell me).

Will the difference be worth it? Should I go forward with this upgrade of replacing the kit completely, or should I just get the Kingston?
The PC will be mainly used for gaming and streaming. (i7)

I couldn't make up my mind so I thought I should ask you guys.

Thanks!
 
Solution
PapaWood
Well assuming new build is further down the road when DDR4 is the common memory :) I should of clarified :)

Right now the difference isn't noticeable enough, your better off just saving the money and get the same speed as you currently have :)
Sort by date Sort by votes
I am not sure how much of a difference it will make having a higher speed memory.

The research I've done shows that its not really much of a noticeable difference, save the money and just get 16gb of the same speed memory for now :) maybe upon a whole new build you can save up and get a higher speed memory :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Thanks!
Mmm.. there won't be a new build (at least not anytime soon). My PC is relatively new (only a year old), and I am already upgrading the CPU, SSD and GPU. If you claim there is not much of a difference, why would you advise me to get it upon an entirely new build? I am conflicted now.
If I get 2 now, 2 extra will only cost ~$60 (later on), but if I get Kingstons (about the same price, too), later on, if and when I decide to get G.SKILL, it will cost me twice as much (obviously, for a 4-kit).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Well assuming new build is further down the road when DDR4 is the common memory :) I should of clarified :)

Right now the difference isn't noticeable enough, your better off just saving the money and get the same speed as you currently have :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
What CPU do you have and what do you use your computer for?

High DRAM frequency only benefits high performance users.

When purchasing performance RAM, it is best to use only a single kit of RAM in each computer. So if you plan to upgrade to 16GB DDR3-2133, it is best to purchase a DDR3-2133 16GB kit rather than purchasing 8GB now and 8GB later. This ensures everything runs at full speed.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


First of all, thanks for taking the time to reply to begin with, and I hope I don't come across rude, but you obviously didn't read my OP (or at least, didn't notice ), because I clearly stated what will be the main purpose of my PC, and what CPU I will be using (i7-46790k ,to be exact).

Secondly, I also don't understand the point you were trying to make. Obviously a single kit will be better. I was referring to a 2x4GB G.SKILL kit, and later on to get another identical kit, making it 16GB. I obviously didn't plan to run both G.SKILL and Kingston simultaneously. I'm not sure what you were trying to say... :X
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Streaming doesn't require much and gaming depends on the games you play. First person shooters can take advantage of high frequency RAM.

My point is if you want to upgrade frequency and capacity, do it all at once. If you get 8GB now and 8GB later, they may not run together at DDR3-2133. There is no guarantee for separate kits to work together in the same computer; this includes RAM of the same exact model.

The current batch will most likely be different than ones years later..
 
Upvote 0 Downvote

_________________

+1 Never a good idea to mix DRAM, even packages of the same exact model), forums are full of people trying and with problem after problem, and believe GSkill asked for specific CPU as the CPU (specifically the CPU's MC) determines what DRAM you can run (in conjunction with the mobo) all you had in the OP was (i7) and not all i7s can carry 2133.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


I see. Thanks for your explanation.
I understand your point about the batches being different, and you are obviously right, seeing how I just ordered Kingston HyperX CL9 pc3-128000, yet it looks different than the ones I have (reds, and these ones are savages. I hope it'll work fine though), but it really was a year ago when I bought this PC. When I said 'later on get another kit', I was referring to a couple of weeks time. In this case, there wouldn't have been any problems, no?

Either way - it doesn't matter, as I have already ordered the Kingston to match with my current kit (hopefully).
Maybe later on I'll get a single 4 x 4GB G.SKILL kit, but as of now, I can't really justify it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yes, can still be problematic, I've gotten sets with consecutive serial #s that wouldn't play, you can pull them right off the assembly line and they might or might not, tolerances are so tight. That's why they test DRAM to play together and sticks get packaged that way...it's the only way to guarantee compatibility
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


I see. Well, this is why I said I can't justify getting 4 x 4GB on the spot, because I wouldn't want to get just half of that in the meanwhile, given what you guys are saying.

So basically according to what you're saying - once I get my new kit, if I get it to work alongside my older Kingston kit - I am on the safe side? Or could other problems pop up later on?
Bottom line - How do I confirm (if at all) that my new kit is functioning well alongside the older one?

Thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Sure, thanks a lot!
Once it arrives (might take a while, seeing how I only placed the order, which also includes the i7-4790k and Samsung EVO 850 500GB as well, so I'll also format) I'll run GTA V, which sure as hell likes to milk RAM (I sometimes run out of memory with my current 8GB), and see wassup.

Thanks to everyone else as well for your replies!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Hey dude, I'm in need of assistance D:
I've had some problems with my new CPU (that came along with the DDR3) and I solved it but updating the BIOS (you can read here)

Anyways, I now checked my DDR3 frequency, and even though it says 16GB and games don't crash etc, it shows my mhz as 1333 instead of 1600. I understood that in order to make it 1600 I need to enable XMP, but I checked the BIO and the XMP is greyed out on 'Disabled' (without being able to toggle and change to profile1).
I am assuming that even though they are said to have the same frequency, it isn't identical, so I was hoping you would help me do something about it like you said, because I think it's doable (changing manually or so, but I'd like to consult with you for the best route)
My #1+#3 slots are with the older kit, and they both look like this:
557371e68d.png


#2+#4 are the newer kit, and they both look like this:
861365dcec.png

For some reason it doesn't say 128000/1600MHz/cl9 even though that should be the model. Probably because I mixed these two together? (although, again, they should all be 12800/1600MHz/cl9)

Thanks a lot!
p.s
should I make a new thread (seeing how I already picked an answer for the previous question) or should I continue this one?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Are you 100% positive?!
I made sure to order the 1600Mhz, obviously. I have it say so on the site as well as on the receipt, email and everywhere else..
This is fucked up..

can I OC it manually to the same settings? Does making it 1600 pretty much equals to enabling 'XMP', or is there other benefits to XMP (other than enabling higher frequency and settings, which in my case is 1600Mhz, since I haven't OC'd)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Wow I was wrong. I took out the older kit, because I realized those were the #2+#4, and as it turns out, the OLDER kit is the 1333 ones. I could have sworn I had 1333... kind of funny to only realize that now, after a year. LOL

What would you advice me to do?
I have three options, what would you deem best?
1- get another kit
2- leave it as is (4x4GB 1333mhz)
3- OC the 1333 one to 1600 (with timing and everything)

if I go for the 3rd option, will there be a difference between that and a 'real' 1600 kit? (because if so and if it actually matters, i'd rather go for #1)

thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


I don't understand what's going on. I just realized that before upgrading, I made another post here, trying to make sure I was will be buying the right version, and I posted this screenshot:
c3c65e6cac.png

This is my older kit (the ones that are now showing as 1333). Is it possible that flashing BIOS made something? I mean I highly doubt it was a mistake on CPU-Z's to say they are 1600mhz, but then again, what else could it have been? That is so weird... You also posted on said thread.

Anyway, will you please elaborate a little how I go about doing that OC (in case the upper info I just provided isn't relevant)?
I revmoed the newer kit. Should I now take it out and only insert the new kit, then go to BIOS and come here:
57d57c55b5.jpg

(this is the BIOS with the older kit, so ignore the parameters)
and check all of the values for the newer kit, and then come here with the older kit and change everything? (you can toggle down that page and there are many more parameters)
And then go to this place and change the voltage?
d0d0d2c6f9.jpg

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom