Would like some Advice on RAM upgrade please

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jeffacake999

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Jun 2, 2013
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Hello All

I am upgrading the RAM in my build to increase performance for gaming (I realize this will not increase FPS I am just trying to eliminate the stuttering I am getting on more modern games I play).

My build is as follows

Motherboard Gigabye P67a-UD7
CPU Intel 2600k
GPU Nvidia 960gtx 4gb edition
4gb Ram

I have been looking at RAM and I cannot quite make a decision on what is best to go for, I mainly use my PC to game.

I was looking at the following two sets
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/components-and-upgrades/computer-memory/corsair-vengeance-lp-black-ddr3-pc-memory-2-x-8-gb-dimm-ram-10143114-pdt.html

The above is 16gb at 1600mhz with CAS 9 timings


http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/components-and-upgrades/computer-memory/corsair-vengeance-pro-red-ddr3-pc-memory-2-x-8-gb-dimm-ram-10143113-pdt.html


However this one is CAS 11 timings but 2400mhz clock. (also 16gb)

I am really unsure which is best here, especially for my system.
any advice on which way to go here would be fantastic. Also I am assuming the ram is the bottleneck in my system, if that is not the case please feel free to advise on that also.
One final thing, I am 99% sure I have selected ram compatible with my build, but if not I would appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction.

thanks so much in advance, just let me know if I should post any extra info.

Jeff
 
Solution
just make sure any ram over 1600 speed is 1.5v. that the standard memory controller voltage for the intel spec. the max voltage is 1.65v but you shorten the cpu memory controler if you use older or faster ram. that goes to that voltage. look up the spec for the ram from the vendor make sure in the ram eprom they have slower non xmp profiles.
Both of those are overpriced, you can get 16gb of ddr3 1600 MHz for under £50 on Amazon
I'd get a higher MHz if it's on sale or really cheap.
And yes in some games higher MHz ram can give you about a 10 fps gain, but that really depends on the game
 
your better off going with the 1600 stock speed ram. with the older chipset your better off not trying to push the older memory controller with oc ram. wnt to use 1.5v at 1600 speed. depending on the cpu and mb memory controller the default ram speed at that time was 1333/1033.
http://ark.intel.com/products/52214/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-3_80-GHz
stock memory was 1066/1333. so the 1600 stock memory will have slower 1333 speed,
 
Hey all, thanks for the answers so far. I realise those links are overpriced I was just using them as an example of the two different types I was looking for. Ah so the 1600 would be the best bet. Would I do any damage to my system if I got the 2400mhz RAM as this would be better for carrying over if I upgraded my mother board in the future?
 
just make sure any ram over 1600 speed is 1.5v. that the standard memory controller voltage for the intel spec. the max voltage is 1.65v but you shorten the cpu memory controler if you use older or faster ram. that goes to that voltage. look up the spec for the ram from the vendor make sure in the ram eprom they have slower non xmp profiles.
 
Solution
We've moved onto DDR4, so I wouldn't worry about carrying forward. Because the timings are relaxed on the 2400 (with possibly higher voltage as well.) they might be the same memory. DDR3 1600 CL10 is the same memory as DDR3 1866 CL11. Because the 2400 is many speeds higher than the 1600 it might be better ram, but if your memory controller can only run both at 1866MHz it's moot. 1600 if you are worried about compatibility, I vote whichever is cheapest.
 
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